Before he was executed in Florida in 1989, Bundy confessed to Laura’s killing, but since he would not elaborate or give any detail to his actual involvement in her death, “the Sheriff’s Department elected to keep this case open until investigators could prove, without a shadow of doubt”, that he was her killer, the sheriff said in a statement.
“This case is now officially closed,” Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith declared during a news conference, according to The Salt Lake Tribune, external.
The sheriff added that if Bundy were still alive, prosecutors would pursue the death penalty against him.
Bundy is among America’s most infamous serial killers, and began his spree by attacking victims throughout the Pacific Northwest of the US. He later killed victims in Colorado, Utah and Florida.
At the time of Laura’s death, he was living in Salt Lake City and studying law at the University of Utah.
The sheriff’s statement said Laura is remembered as an “outgoing free spirit who enjoyed outdoor activities and shared a passion for riding horses, hunting, and caring for her several siblings”.