The Case of Lynette Dawn Culver

Lynette Dawn Culver, 12, disappeared from Pocatello, Idaho, on 6 May 1975. She was last seen near the Portneuf River after leaving school. Ted Bundy later confessed to killing Lynette, but her remains have never been recovered.

Lynette was a 12-year-old sixth-grade student living in Pocatello, Idaho. She attended Alameda Junior High School and was described as a friendly and outgoing child. On 6 May 1975, Lynette left school and went to the Portneuf River area with other children. She was last seen that afternoon and never returned home. Her disappearance prompted an extensive search involving local authorities, volunteers and members of the community.

Lynette was last seen near the Portneuf River in Pocatello. Investigators searched the river and surrounding areas after her disappearance, but no body was found. Ted Bundy later confessed that he had abducted and killed Lynette. He claimed that he had taken her to an isolated location and disposed of her body in the river.

Lynette's disappearance was investigated as a kidnapping and presumed homicide. Investigators initially had little physical evidence to work with. Bundy eventually identified Lynette as one of his victims during his 1989 confessions. He provided investigators with information concerning her disappearance and disposal, but searches failed to locate her remains. Her case was subsequently recognised as one of the murders attributed to Bundy.

Ted Bundy was never separately tried or convicted for Lynette Culver's murder. He confessed to killing her before his execution in 1989. Lynette remains one of Bundy's identified victims whose remains have never been recovered.

Lynette was the youngest known victim in Bundy's confirmed victim chronology and was only 12 years old when she disappeared.