I’ve been writing books for 26 years. I’m a nonfiction writer and my world has always been one of finding the truth where possible, and that drive for accuracy has been with me the whole time. Getting to the truth should be the cardinal rule for all writers. But whenever the truth we’re seeking has not, or cannot be obtained, speculation will raise its head to take its place. And it is here where the nonfiction writer must be very careful.
The definition of speculation is as follows: “The forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.” Notice that term firm evidence. Without firm evidence, we can speculate about anything, but it better be backed by a great deal of circumstantial evidence, or we shouldn’t be using it. And in my writing career, using any speculation has been rare, and in the few instances where I have, it was based on strong circumstantial evidence.
A perfect example of this was when I was writing about the late-night meeting between Lorraine Fargo and Kathy Parks only minutes before Kathy encountered Ted Bundy in the cafeteria of Oregon State University, which culminated in her murder. I did not interview Lorraine for my book, The Bundy Murders, but I did have the official record that states she bumped into Kathy after leaving the library and was walking home (Bundy often hunted for victims at libraries, and I stated he may have been following her). The record also mentioned that Kathy’s boyfriend received a letter from her postmarked May 7, 1974, so because she was abducted on May 6th, I also posited that perhaps she mailed it while she was out walking that evening. Of course, it was nothing but speculation, but it was based (again) on circumstantial evidence. Well, a year after the book was published, Lorraine contacted me and confirmed that Kathy had dropped the letter in the mailbox in front of the cafeteria. Lorraine also confirmed that a strange acting man had been bothering her at the library, and she thinks he followed out. Of course, I believe that man was Ted Bundy.
Another example of speculation that I “know must be true!” (and I write about this in my new book, The Enigma of Ted Bundy) is that Bundy would use the money of his victims after killing them. When I first posted this on my Facebook page, most people admitted they’d never thought about it, but that it made perfect sense. Even so, there were one or two detractors. However, if you look at how often Bundy was in need of money, and how often he stole the cash and credit cards of unsuspecting people, it’s easy to conclude he’d keep the money and spent it. So yes, it must be a fact. However, because it hasn’t been “confirmed” as was the case with Lorraine Fargo, we must leave it in the realm of speculation, even if we absolutely “know” it’s true.
Occasionally, folks will contact me, suggesting that something I’ve written in one of my books may not be exactly correct. In each case it boiled down to speculation on their part and I always do what I can to straighten it out. In one recent call from a friend, he suggested that something an interviewee told me a few years ago might not be exactly true, and he gave his reason for thinking so. Well, I told him, I’d give the guy a call and do a little probing. And after conferring with the person in question, he reiterated that what he’d told me in 2015 was correct, and gave additional information that put that speculation to rest once and for all. I then passed this info to my friend.
So, the question becomes, was my friend, and all the others, wrong for bringing these things to my attention? No, absolutely not. In fact, when searching for answers, we need to travel down such roads, for in doing so we can often end the speculations and discover the truth.
Attention to detail and exact wording should be the foundation of any non fiction body of work. Kevin Sullivan exemplifies this to the nth degree!
Thanks for the good words, Janel! Much appreciated. 🙂
Great blog. Ducks in a row, I’s dotted T’s crossed.
Thanks, MJ. 🙂
Am curious about those that knew Louise Bundy and her blind eye regarding Ted’s disturbing behavior possibly even while he was growing up. Thought of contacting Sandi Holt with inquiries regarding her memories of how the Bundy’s parented at these times. Am speculating that it was not talked about and protecting image was the default approach. Do you have some info along these lines?
I don’t know Sandi Holt, but I do know she makes several claims about Bundy in his youth that were never substantiated during the massive investigation conducted by various detectives and police departments. Also, she made some comment on one of the Bundy docs (I think it was Netflix), and she said something along the lines that Louise told her that her father Sam Cowell was Ted’s father-as if Louise would have said such a thing! No matter, Sam Cowell was ruled out through DNA recently, and that’s another Bundy myth busted.
As to Bundy growing up with Johnnie and Louise Bundy, along with Bundy’s four siblings from that union, he likely appeared quite normal to them all. The only time Bundy ever appeared abnormal (to my knowledge) was when he was three or four years-old while he was living with his Louise and her family in Philadelphia until the age of four or five.
I hope this helps.
One more thing, Carol. Bundy’s two best friends as he was growing up were Warren Dodge and Terry Storwick. Both boys knew Ted struggled with not knowing his biological father, but as to strange actions, they apparently saw nothing unusual about him at all.
Hi Kevin. Thanks for your great work. I have always been curious about the Roberta Kathy Parks case from Oregon. The story has always been, based on what Bundy told Stephen Michaud, that he met her in the cafeteria and talked her into going with him. However, I have never heard of anybody ever seeing Kathy in the cafeteria that night (or being spotted talking to a man there). I assume that if she had been there, there would have been witnesses (and this would be in the police files, which I have not seen). I have always speculated that Bundy spotted her talking to her friend on the way to the cafeteria (which we know happened) and overheard their conversation, then either snatched her there, or persuaded her to help him with something in his vehicle (his usual MO). Thanks for your great work Sir.
Hi Ian, and thanks for the contact!
While it’s true Bundy gave a good description of his actions (albeit in the third-person) of his actions in regards to Kathy Parks, I believe them to be true, and here’s why: Bundy understood he could tell what happened to her without incriminating himself and the story has what I think is a natural and authentic flow. In other words, nothing he said rang a bell or raised a caution flag in my mind. As to no one “seeing” her, well, they may have seen her but paid no attention as to who was sitting there. Remember, they were getting ready to close so there were likely only a couple of workers there trying to clean up so they could leave and go home. As to Bundy seeing Kathy Parks talking with Loraine Fargo, yes, I believe that’s where Bundy first spotted her and he watched her go inside and within moments followed her into the cafeteria. Now, when I wrote The Bundy Murders: A Comprehensive History, I speculated, with what I believed was good circumstantial evidence, that Bundy may have followed Loraine Fargo from the library where she was studying, and then spotted Kathy. I also theorized that Kathy may have mailed a letter to her boyfriend (which was postmarked May 7th) during that walk that late evening of May 6, 1974. Well, when Lorraine learned about my book and that I mention her, she contacted me and we became friends; and you will find a lot of details about all of this in my 2nd Bundy book, The Trail of Ted Bundy: Digging Up the Untold Stories. Anyway, as we talked about various aspects of the case, she confirmed my two speculations: a man kept pestering her at the library (two or three times) and she soon left and ran into Kathy. Then Kathy said (to my very pleased surprise) that Kathy was holding a letter in her hand and that she watched her place it in the mailbox just before going inside the cafeteria. I hope this helps. 🙂
I read your book ‘The Bundy Murders: A Comprehensive History, 2d ed.’, and I will also check out The Trail of Ted Bundy (I plan to read all of your Bundy books in due course). If that is the conclusion that you came to after your countless of hours of research and writing, then on the balance of probabilities, I’m sure you are correct. I was never inclined to believe his third person confession entirely, but at the same time, even sociopathic liars will tell the truth when it suits them. Of course, all the deaths were senseless and tragic, particularly the children, but I have always found the Parks case very sad. It seemed like a series of terrible circumances, both personal and circumstancial, came together at exactly her most vulnerable moment to doom the poor girl. I am thinking of writing something about Bundy but not sure of the exact direction yet, and cetainly a hard task to add more value to what you have done! I work as a lawyer and I have never written an book, only legal journal articles, etc, but I know that you previously worked a Minister (I think still do?) so the successful career change must be possible! Thanks again for your detailed reply Sir, greatly appreciated.
You’re more than welcome, Ian! And best of luck with your Bundy project, whatever direction you go. 🙂
I believe Mr Sullivan is one of the very finest true crime authors of all. His book about the Sacramento Vampire murders is an absolute classic, and should be far more widely read, if there is any justice in this world. His literary style is superb – an articulate, highly intelligent chronicler of horrific crime, who is every bit as compelling as those more “high-profile” authors out there. He writes about nasty things, but never stoops to exploitative, gruesome details. That is the mark of a true master.
Hi Gary….Well, what can I say other than thank you so much for the kind words about my work! And you’re correct: “vampire: The Richard Chase Murders”, should be more widely read as it’s taken directly from the official record, with contributions from the detectives I interviewed, the prosecutors, and even Chase’s own attorney. As such, a lot of the newer ‘knock-off’ books about Richard Chase to come out over the last several years have used my book as a guide, and at least one has even lifted the pseudonym “Libby Christopher” I used for Chase’s girlfriend.
Nevertheless, thanks for the kind words Gary. They are much appreciated.