The Tragic, Secret Life Of Carole Ann Boone: 7 Shocking Facts About Ted Bundy's Ex-Wife

Carole Ann Boone's name is forever linked to one of the most infamous serial killers in American history, Ted Bundy. Her story is a complex and tragic narrative of loyalty, denial, and a desperate pursuit of a normal life with a man convicted of unspeakable crimes. This article, updated with the latest available information, delves into the verified details of her life, her relationship with Bundy, and the quiet, solitary end she met far away from the public eye.

As of late 2025, the most recent and definitive information confirms that Carole Ann Boone passed away several years ago, having lived a life of deliberate obscurity following her divorce from Bundy. Her final years were marked by a quiet struggle with a debilitating illness, a stark contrast to the media frenzy that surrounded her during the 1980s.

Carole Ann Boone: A Complete Biographical Profile

Carole Ann Boone was a woman with a life full of complexity long before she met Ted Bundy. She was a mother, twice-divorced, and a working professional who became entangled with the future serial killer during a critical period in his life.

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• Full Name: Carole Ann Carson (Maiden Name)
• Also Known As: Carole Ann Boone, Carole Ann Johnson, Carole Ann Anderson
• Date of Birth: April 12, 1947
• Place of Birth: Belvidere, Illinois, United States
• Date of Death: January 13, 2018
• Age at Death: 70
• Cause of Death: Septic shock, following a period of suffering from multiple sclerosis
• Place of Death: A retirement home in Washington State
• First Marriage: James B. Boone (Married October 6, 1964)
• Second Marriage: Unknown man (Divorced prior to meeting Bundy)
• Third Marriage: Ted Bundy (Married February 9, 1980; Divorced 1986)
• Children: James Jr. "Jamey" (Son from first marriage), Rosa Bundy (Daughter with Ted Bundy)
• Occupation: Worked at the Washington State Department of Emergency Services (DES)

The Curious Courtship: How Carole Ann Boone Married a Serial Killer

Carole Ann Boone's relationship with Ted Bundy began in 1974 when they both worked at the Department of Emergency Services (DES) in Olympia, Washington. At the time, Bundy was still in a relationship with Elizabeth Kendall, but he and Boone became close friends and eventually lovers. Boone, described as a "lusty-tempered free spirit," was a loyal supporter of Bundy even after his initial arrests.

Her loyalty was unwavering. She relocated from Washington to Florida to be near him while he was on death row, and she frequently visited him in jail. She believed in his innocence, a common and often tragic psychological phenomenon among those close to serial killers. This deep-seated belief culminated in a truly bizarre wedding ceremony.

The Bizarre Courtroom Marriage

The marriage took place on February 9, 1980, during Bundy’s highly publicized Florida murder trial for the death of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach. Under an obscure Florida law, a marriage could be legally performed in court if a declaration was made in front of a judge and witnesses. Bundy, acting as his own defense attorney, used a recess in the penalty phase of the trial to propose to Boone, who was on the witness stand testifying on his behalf.

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The marriage was legally binding, performed right there in the courtroom in front of the jury, the judge, and a slew of media and spectators. This spectacle was a masterclass in manipulation, allowing Bundy to present a narrative of a loving, committed family man, even as he faced the death penalty.

The Birth of Rosa Bundy and the Shocking Divorce

One of the most astonishing aspects of their relationship was the conception and birth of their daughter, Rosa Bundy (also known as Rose). Rosa was born on October 24, 1982, while Bundy was on death row in Florida.

The conception is believed to have occurred during conjugal visits, which were technically not permitted at the Florida State Prison. However, due to lax security and the willingness of some guards to look the other way—reportedly for bribes—Bundy and Boone were able to spend private time together. The birth of a child to a convicted serial killer on death row became a major national story, further cementing Carole Ann Boone's place in true crime history.

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The Final Break and the Quest for Anonymity

Boone's unwavering loyalty finally fractured in the mid-1980s. The strain of the visits, the constant media scrutiny, and the crushing reality of Bundy's true nature eventually became too much. She began to distance herself after Bundy reportedly confessed to more murders in 1986.

The couple divorced in 1986, just three years before Bundy's execution. Boone took her two children—her son James Jr. (Jamey) and her daughter Rosa—and moved out of Florida. She never saw Ted Bundy again. Her primary goal became to disappear and protect her children from the stigma of their father's crimes. She successfully achieved this, maintaining a fiercely private life for decades.

Carole Ann Boone's Final Years and Verified Death

For decades, the whereabouts of Carole Ann Boone were a mystery, fueling endless speculation in the true crime community. She successfully retreated into obscurity, reportedly changing her name (to Carole Ann Johnson, among others) and living a quiet life in Washington State.

The definitive, latest information confirms that Carole Ann Boone died on January 13, 2018, at the age of 70. The cause of death was reported as septic shock, a severe and life-threatening infection, which occurred while she was living in a retirement community. It is also reported that she had been suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system, which would have significantly impacted her final years.

Her death closed the final chapter on one of the most compelling and tragic figures in the Ted Bundy saga. Her life was a testament to the power of denial and the devastating consequences of loving a monster. She spent the last three decades of her life attempting to erase her connection to the serial killer, a difficult but necessary journey to secure a future for her daughter, Rosa Bundy, who also remains fiercely private and out of the public eye.