Cover of The Phantom Prince by Elizabeth Kendall

KODAMA / TRUE CRIME 2026

Biography · True Crime · Serial Killers · Psychology · Investigation

The Phantom prince

Name: The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy
ISBN: 9780914842705

by Elizabeth Kendall

A deeply personal and harrowing memoir detailing Elizabeth Kendall's six-year romantic relationship with Ted Bundy while remaining oblivious to his terrifying double life.

Loving a man who hid a dark reality.

Published under a pseudonym by Elizabeth Kloepfer, The Phantom Prince tells the story of her long-term relationship with Ted Bundy during the 1970s while he was committing a series of brutal murders across the Pacific Northwest.

The memoir explores the painful psychological conflict of suspecting the man you love, detailing how she ultimately contacted police with her suspicions while struggling to reconcile her feelings with the horrifying truth.

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“

I loved him, but I couldn't ignore the terrifying shadows that slowly began to surround us.

KODAMA / EDITORIAL NOTE

The author MEMOIRIST

Elizabeth Kendall

Elizabeth Kendall is the pen name of Elizabeth Kloepfer, a secretary and single mother who met Ted Bundy in Seattle in 1969.

Her memoir offers an unprecedented inside perspective into Bundy's charm, manipulation, and domestic persona, showing how serial killers can blend seamlessly into ordinary lives.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A survivor whose courage led her to report one of history's most infamous killers.

Key themes in the memoir.

The Domestic Persona.

Exposing how Bundy played the role of a loving partner and father figure to Elizabeth's young daughter, masking his violent nature.

Growing Suspicions.

The gradual discovery of disturbing items in Bundy's apartment, including crutches, plaster casts, and meat cleavers.

Contacting Law Enforcement.

The harrowing decisions to call police department tip lines in Seattle and Salt Lake City despite disbelief from investigators.

The Psychological Aftermath.

Processing severe trauma, guilt, and emotional manipulation following Bundy's ultimate arrest and trial.

On screen

When the book became visual.

Elizabeth Kendall's firsthand account was transformed into prominent film and documentary adaptations.

2019

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

A feature film starring Lily Collins as Elizabeth Kendall and Zac Efron as Ted Bundy, depicting the narrative directly from Elizabeth's perspective.

2020

Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer

An acclaimed Prime Video docuseries featuring exclusive interviews with Elizabeth Kendall and her daughter Molly after almost 40 years of silence.

Watch

Book analysis & breakdown.

A detailed review and analysis of The Phantom Prince, examining Elizabeth Kendall's unique perspective on Ted Bundy.

028 / ARCHIVE ANALYSIS The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy · Review & Discussion

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Legacy

An indispensable voice in true crime literature.

The Phantom Prince remains one of the most remarkable memoirs in true crime, serving as a crucial historical document and psychological warning about the deceptive nature of charismatic abusers.

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