The Secret Life And Death Of Carole Ann Boone: 5 Shocking Facts About Ted Bundy's Ex-Wife

The story of Carole Ann Boone is one of the most compelling and tragic footnotes in the history of American true crime, a woman who married one of the world's most infamous serial killers while he was on trial for his life. Her life, defined by her controversial relationship with Ted Bundy, has been shrouded in mystery for decades, but new information—including her confirmed death—finally brings a close to her chapter. As of December 2025, the most significant update is the confirmation that Boone lived a quiet, private life after her divorce and passed away several years ago, a detail that was largely unknown to the public until recent true-crime documentaries brought it to light. Carole Ann Boone's decision to stand by and ultimately marry Ted Bundy, even as evidence of his horrific crimes mounted, cemented her place in true crime lore. After their divorce, she vanished from the public eye, dedicating her life to protecting her children. This article dives deep into the known facts of her private existence, the legal loophole that allowed their prison marriage, and the ultimate fate of the woman who believed in a monster.

Carole Ann Boone: The Complete Biographical Profile

Carole Ann Boone, often referred to simply as Carol Boone, was not a casual acquaintance of Ted Bundy. She was a two-time divorcée and mother who first met the future killer in a professional setting. Her life before and after Bundy was intensely private, yet the few publicly known details paint a picture of a complex woman.

• Full Name: Carole Ann Boone (also known by previous married names and her maiden name, Carson).
• Date of Birth: December 27, 1947 (some sources cite 1956, but 1947 is more commonly accepted based on her life timeline).
• Place of Birth: Tacoma, Washington, USA.
• Parents: Walter and Margot Carson.
• Education: Reportedly attended college in Washington State.
• Initial Occupation: Worked as an administrative assistant at the Washington State Department of Emergency Services in Olympia, Washington.
• Spouses: Married multiple times before Ted Bundy (names kept private); married Ted Bundy in 1980 (divorced 1986).
• Children: Son, James Boone Jr. (Jamey), from a previous marriage; Daughter, Rose Bundy (born 1982), with Ted Bundy.
• Date of Death: 2018 (reported).
• Place of Death: A retirement home in Seattle, Washington.

The Controversial Marriage: How Carole Ann Boone Married a Serial Killer

The relationship between Carole Ann Boone and Ted Bundy began in 1974 when they both worked at the Department of Emergency Services in Olympia, Washington. They were friends and colleagues, but their relationship deepened significantly after Bundy was first arrested in Utah in 1975.

A Belief in Innocence and a Move to Florida

Boone was one of the few people who steadfastly believed in Bundy’s innocence, even after his conviction for the murder of two sorority sisters, Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy, at the Chi Omega house in Tallahassee, Florida. This unwavering loyalty led her to move to Florida with her young son, James Boone Jr., to be near Bundy while he was on death row. She frequently visited him at the Florida State Prison.

The Trial Marriage: A Legal Loophole

The marriage itself was a dramatic and legally dubious event. During the 1980 penalty phase of his murder trial, Bundy was allowed to call witnesses to testify on his behalf. Bundy, who was representing himself, used this opportunity to ask Boone to marry him. The marriage was legally binding under an obscure Florida law that stated a declaration of marriage in a court of law, in front of a judge and witnesses, constituted a legal marriage. Boone accepted the proposal, and they were officially married right there in the courtroom on February 9, 1980.

The Birth of Rose Bundy and the Final Separation

One of the most shocking aspects of the Bundy-Boone relationship was the birth of their daughter, Rose Bundy (sometimes referred to as Rosa or Melissa in some unverified reports), in 1982.

Conception on Death Row

The question of how Boone became pregnant while Bundy was on death row is a common point of curiosity. Conjugal visits were not permitted in Florida prisons at the time. However, it is widely believed that prison guards were bribed or simply looked the other way, allowing the couple time alone in the prison visiting room. This allowed for intimate contact, leading to Rose’s conception.

The End of the Marriage

Despite the birth of their child, the marriage began to crumble in the mid-1980s. The strain of Bundy's impending execution, his continued manipulation, and the overwhelming reality of his crimes eventually became too much for Boone. The final blow came when Bundy began to confess to his crimes, reportedly in an attempt to delay his execution. It is widely reported that Boone divorced Bundy in 1986, just three years before his execution in 1989. She never spoke to him again after the divorce.

Where is Rose Bundy Now and Carole Ann Boone's Final Years

After the divorce, Carole Ann Boone made a deliberate and successful effort to disappear from the public eye. She moved out of Florida with both of her children, James and Rose, seeking a life of anonymity.

The Secrecy Surrounding Rose Bundy

Rose Bundy's current location and identity are one of the most closely guarded secrets in true crime. Boone’s primary mission after leaving Bundy was to ensure her daughter could live a normal life, free from the horrific legacy of her father. Rose, who was only about six years old when her father was executed, has successfully maintained a low profile, and there are no credible, verified details about her adult life or current whereabouts.

Carole Ann Boone's Death in Seattle

For decades, Boone’s own whereabouts were unknown, leading to much speculation. The most current and reliable information comes from the 2020 Amazon docuseries *Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer*, which confirmed that Carole Ann Boone died in 2018. She reportedly passed away in a retirement home in the Seattle, Washington area, the same region where she first met Bundy and where her life of tragedy and notoriety began. Her death closed the final chapter on the life of the woman who stood by the serial killer longer than anyone else, choosing to live out her final years in the quiet obscurity she had fought so hard to achieve.

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