Cousin of Ted Bundy Reflects on Family Ties in New Memoir

In her new memoir, "Dark Tide," Edna Cowell Martin, a cousin of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy, shares her harrowing experience of grappling with the reality of his crimes. Martin recounts the moment she realized Bundy was not innocent, stating, "I just got a bad feeling that something wasn't good." This revelation struck her while she was working in Alaska in 1975, far removed from the chaos of Bundy's life, yet deeply affected by the news of his arrest. Martin reflects on her childhood memories of Bundy, who was introduced to her family when his mother moved to Washington state. She theorizes that Bundy's troubled relationship with his biological father, whom he never knew, may have contributed to his later actions. "This is just a theory on my part," she notes, suggesting that his mother's attempts to shield him from the truth may have left a lasting impact on his psyche. The memoir also delves into Martin's correspondence with Bundy after his arrest, where she felt dismissed by his comments about her emotional responses. "He even implies that I'm being over emotional about these things," she recalls, highlighting the disconnect between them. Ultimately, Martin's narrative sheds light on the profound effects of Bundy's actions on his family, who have long sought to distance themselves from his notorious legacy. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of familial bonds in the shadow of crime.