How Victims Escaped Bundy – And What We Can Learn From Them By Sensei Liam Musiak

When people think of Ted Bundy, they think of the women who didn’t make it home. But what’s just as important to remember are the women who did survive. Their bravery, instinct, and determination are the real lessons we can take away today.

One of the most famous survivors was Carol DaRonch. Bundy tricked her by posing as a police officer—“Officer Roseland”—and claiming her car had been broken into. He managed to lure her into his vehicle, but that was the moment things changed. Once Carol realised something was wrong, she fought back hard. Even handcuffed, she kicked, scratched, screamed, and refused to give in. She managed to throw herself out of the car and escape to safety.

Carol wasn’t the only one. Other survivors told similar stories—recognising that something wasn’t right, refusing to comply quietly, and using every ounce of strength and instinct to get away. Bundy’s entire method relied on control and compliance. When a victim disrupted that, it threw him off.

What does this teach us? Three key things:

Instinct matters. Many survivors reported a gut feeling that something wasn’t right. Trusting that feeling can save your life.

Fighting back can work. Bundy relied on surprise, charm, and manipulation. The moment a victim resisted, he often lost his grip.

Escape is victory. You don’t need to “win a fight” in a martial arts sense. You just need to break free and get away.

The women who escaped Bundy remind us of something vital: predators are not invincible. They rely on silence, obedience, and hesitation. The second you break that pattern, you give yourself a chance.

If you ever find yourself in danger, remember Carol and the others. Scream. Scratch. Kick. Bite. Do whatever it takes. Bundy wanted compliant victims—what saved lives were the women who refused to be just that.