What It Was Like Growing Up With Ted Bundy
What if the world’s most notorious serial killer wasn’t a monster in your nightmares, but a friendly face in your living room? That’s the chilling paradox Edna Cowell Martin lived through. For years, she shared meals, laughter, and memories with Ted Bundy—her cousin, her protector, and unknowingly, a remorseless killer.
This story isn’t just another macabre fascination with a murderer. It’s a haunting journey into the mind of someone who once called him family.
Who Was Ted Bundy?
To the outside world, Ted Bundy was many things—handsome, articulate, ambitious. A law student and political volunteer, his charm made him memorable. But behind that magnetic personality lay a calculating predator. He confessed to killing over 30 women across multiple states, though many believe the real number is much higher.
Yet, within his family, especially to Edna, he was the thoughtful cousin. A man who checked in on her, brought her groceries, and shared her dreams.
A Family Connection Few Could Fathom
Edna Cowell Martin grew up regarding Bundy not as an enigma but as a beacon. He was the cousin who protected, guided, and entertained. Their families spent summers together in a lakeside cabin. And when she moved to Seattle for college, Bundy was a regular visitor.
He didn’t just drop by—he cared. He brought food, laughed with her roommates, and charmed them with tales of his job on the Seattle Crime Prevention Advisory Commission. That irony alone is enough to make one’s skin crawl.
Living With a Monster in Disguise
Everything about Bundy screamed normalcy. To Edna, he was safe, smart, and engaging. He was a man with political aspirations and a supposed dedication to making the world safer.
But unknown to her, the very streets she walked were stained with his crimes. Victims were vanishing from her neighborhood—the same neighborhood Bundy frequented.
Ted Bundy the “Protector”
There’s a painful contradiction in Bundy’s actions. He went out of his way to present himself as a hero. And for Edna and her friends, he was. He offered advice, gave emotional support, and seemed genuinely invested in their well-being.
The fact that such evil could exist in someone so outwardly kind left scars that Edna still carries.
The Darkness Behind the Smile
One evening changed everything. After a relaxed dinner and some dancing in her apartment, Edna caught a glimpse of something terrifying.
She saw Bundy’s expression twist into something inhuman—his jaw clenched, eyes blackened. Rage oozed from him, but only for a second. When she called his name, he snapped back as if nothing happened.
That split-second crack in his mask would haunt her for decades.
When the Killings Hit Close to Home
During her time in college, four women went missing from the University District—one being her roommate’s best friend, Lynda Ann Healy. They were terrified, glued to the news, reading about a man named “Ted” who drove a VW Beetle.
Still, denial held firm. Could it really be her Ted?
The Arrest That Shattered Denial
While working in Alaska, Edna received a call from her brother: Ted had been arrested in Utah for an attempted abduction.
Her heart sank. She didn’t want to believe it. It felt impossible. But the mask had finally slipped.
The Confession Over Lunch
Later, Bundy met Edna and some friends for lunch while out on bail. Jokingly, someone asked, “You’re not the Ted Bundy, are you?”
His response? A smirk and a confident, “Yeah, that’s me.”
There was no fear in his voice. No shame. Just a twisted sense of pride.
The Messiah Complex
Perhaps the most haunting moment came when she saw Bundy on a street corner, arms outstretched, yelling, “I am Ted Bundy!” as if he were delivering a sermon.
She never saw him in person again.
Living With the Aftermath
Bundy was executed in 1989. For many, it marked the end of a nightmare. For Edna, it opened emotional wounds. She had to mourn a man who had two faces—one kind, one monstrous.
“I grieved for who he could have been,” she admitted.
Breaking the Silence with “Dark Tide”
During the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Edna finally decided to confront her past. Her memoir, Dark Tide: Growing Up with Ted Bundy, became her catharsis—a brave attempt to reclaim her narrative and honor the forgotten victims.
Remembering the Real Victims
Bundy’s victims deserve more than just a footnote in history. Many of their remains were never found. Their families were robbed of closure.
Edna’s story is not just about her pain—it’s about shifting the lens away from Bundy’s celebrity and toward the silent suffering of those he left behind.
FAQs
Was Ted Bundy really that charming in real life?
Yes. Even Edna describes him as charismatic, articulate, and attentive—a persona that masked his true darkness.
Did Edna Cowell Martin ever suspect anything before his arrest?
Only subtle moments hinted at his darker side, but she never imagined he was capable of murder.
How did she react to his public confession?
With shock and heartbreak. His prideful admission devastated her.
Why did she stay silent for so long?
Shame, trauma, and the desire to protect her family kept her quiet for decades.
What made her decide to write “Dark Tide”?
The emotional burden became too heavy. During the pandemic, she found the courage to finally tell her truth.
What is her message to the world?
Evil can wear a smile. Always trust your instincts—and never be afraid to speak out.