Obituary of Kimberly Leach
October 28, 1965 - February 9, 1978
Kimberly Diane Leach, age 12, passed away sadly on February 9th, 1978. She was born to Thomas and Freda Leach, in Lake City, Florida. She was described as a “nice, sweet girl. An “A” student, had no problems at home” (When Evil Came to Town). She was unfortunately kidnapped, raped, and murdered by Ted Bundy, permanently changing the small community of Columbia County. We would like to give a big thanks to Bob Dekle, who was “there at the beginning and the end. He climbed through weeds and brush looking for Kimberly, who had been reported missing by her parents after she failed to return home from school, alongside law enforcement officials and concerned residents” (When Evil Came to Town). Bundy was able to abduct Kimberly by talking to her enough to lure her into his car. Everyone that had know Kimberly knew she was not the type to run away, two months was spent looking for her, and finally “on April 7th, 1978, Florida Highway Patrolman Ken Robinson found Kimberly’s body’s an abandoned hog pen near Suwannee River State Park” (When Evil Came to Town). We would just like to share Kimberly’s story to keep her memory alive, we do not want pity from others, just recognition that this type of thing can happen to anyone at any time. Kimberly was survived by her mom Freda, and her dad Thomas Leach, along with her brother Michael Leach and other family members and friends. She will forever be remembered in our hearts and our minds and we will never forget the heinous crime committed by Ted Bundy.