With all appeal avenues exhausted and no further motivation to deny his guilt, Ted Bundy agreed to an interview with Detective Bob Keppel two days before his execution.

Media frenzy on the day of Ted Bundy's execution
With Florida State Prison in the background, spokesman Bob Macmasters fields questions from the media as Ted Bundy’s execution nears. (AP)

Although Bundy confessed to the murders he was the prime suspect in, he withheld many details, hoping to parlay the incomplete information into yet another stay of execution.

Little did Bundy expect, the investigators were having none of it.

George Johnson celebrates Ted Bundy's execution
George Johnson from Jacksonville, Fla., hawks tee shirts outside the gate of Florida State Prison, Jan. 23, 1989 in Starke, Fla., in anticipation of the execution of Ted Bundy, scheduled for early Tuesday morning. (AP Photo/Mark Foley)

The night before his execution, Bundy placed two good-bye phone calls to his mother and was served the last meal of steak, eggs, hash browns and toast, which he reportedly did not touch.

Louise Bundy says goodbye to Ted Bundy
Louise Bundy, the mother of convicted murderer Ted Bundy, wipes away a tear in her dining room in Tacoma, Wash., as she tells her son, “You will always be my precious son.” (AP)

On January 24, 1989, just as the sun rose over the north Florida plains, around 2,000 spectators gathered in the field across from Florida State Prison.

The mob laughed, hooted and cheered. “Burn Bundy” and “Toast Ted” read the T-shirts.

Crowd celebrates the execution of Ted Bundy
A toy bunny is hung in effigy by Jerry Jackson of Atlanta Ga., wearing a Ronald Reagan mask, as a crowd celebrates the execution of Ted Bundy at sunrise in Starke, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Foley)

Slogans on signs conveyed even stronger hate. One said, “Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue. Good Morning, Ted. We’re Going to Kill You.”

After a night of weeping and praying, two guards led Bundy into the death chamber and strapped his chest, arms and legs to the shiny wooden chair.

"Old Sparky" electric chair Ted Bundy was executed with
The electric chair, nicknamed “Old Sparky,” is the focus of attention by the media during a rare press tour of Florida State Prison in August 1989. (AP)

Bundy’s eyes searched for familiar faces behind the glass. He nodded to some of the 42 witnesses, including the men who had prosecuted him. His lips moved in a faint mumble.

Supt. Tom Barton asked Bundy if he had any last words. The killer hesitated. His voice quavered.

“Jim and Fred, I’d like you to give my love to my family and friends,” Bundy said.

A sketch of Ted Bundy's execution
A sketch of Ted Bundy’s execution by courtroom artist Christine Elizabeth Lyttle.

With that, it was time.

A thick strap was pulled across Bundy’s mouth and chin. The metal skullcap was bolted in place, its heavy black veil falling in front of the condemned man’s face.

Barton gave the go-ahead. An anonymous executioner pushed the button.

Ted Bundy's dead body
Ted Bundy’s dead body lies on a morgue stretcher. (Weekly World News)

Two thousand volts surged through the wires. A minute later, the machine was turned off, and Bundy went limp. A paramedic opened the blue shirt and listened for a heartbeat. A second doctor aimed a light into his eyes.

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