Kathy Kleiner Rubin’s name is indelibly linked to Ted Bundy, the notorious serial killer who brutally attacked her in 1978. While the attack at the Chi Omega sorority house at Florida State University remains a defining moment, it’s crucial to understand that Kleiner Rubin’s life encompasses much more than just survival. Her story is one of resilience in the face of repeated adversity, from childhood illness to a near-fatal encounter with one of history’s most infamous criminals. This article delves into Kleiner Rubin’s journey, exploring the attack, her arduous recovery, her courageous confrontation with Bundy, and her unwavering commitment to honoring the victims and dismantling the Bundy mystique.
Kathy Kleiner Rubin in 1977. (Courtesy: Kathy Kleiner Rubin)
The Night of Terror: Inside the Chi Omega Attack
The night of January 14, 1978, forever altered the course of Kathy Kleiner Rubin’s life. A seemingly ordinary Saturday night at the Chi Omega sorority house transformed into a scene of unspeakable horror. As Kleiner Rubin recounts in her book, “A Light in the Dark: Surviving More than Ted Bundy,” she and her roommate retired to bed around 11:30 pm, unaware of the lurking danger.
Awakened by the sound of their bedroom door opening and a loud crash, Kleiner Rubin saw a shadowy figure looming over her. Bundy, armed with an oak log, delivered a devastating blow to her face, shattering her jaw and leaving her severely injured. He then attacked her roommate before fleeing the scene, disturbed by the headlights of a returning sorority sister’s car.
The Chi Omega sorority house at Florida State University after the Bundy attacks. (AP Photo/Mark Foley)
The attack left two other sorority sisters, Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy, dead. Bundy, a fugitive from a Colorado prison, had exploited a broken lock to gain entry into the sorority house, a detail Kleiner Rubin refuses to blame for the tragedy, attributing responsibility solely to Bundy’s actions.
A Journey of Healing and Resilience
Kleiner Rubin’s recovery was a testament to her strength and determination. Flown back to her parents’ home in Miami, she endured physical pain and emotional turmoil, navigating feelings of anger, sadness, and depression. In the absence of professional therapy, she developed her own coping mechanisms, visualizing an island of peace as a metaphor for her healing journey.
Kleiner Rubin’s mother meticulously collected every news clipping about Bundy, unknowingly shielding her daughter from the constant reminders of the trauma. Kleiner Rubin’s jaw remained wired shut for nine weeks, a period during which she confronted her fear of men. Remarkably, she chose to work at a lumberyard, facing her fears head-on by immersing herself in the smell of oak, the same wood Bundy used in the attack.
Confronting the Evil: Face-to-Face with Bundy
Following Bundy’s capture, Kleiner Rubin was summoned to Tallahassee to give a deposition, a chilling encounter where she stared down her attacker. She later testified before a grand jury, her initial intimidation replaced by a sense of strength and even pity for the “sick, mutilated person” before her.
Ted Bundy during his trial. (Pool Photo via AP, File)
In June 1979, Kleiner Rubin testified at Bundy’s nationally televised trial, a landmark event in legal history. Despite the immense pressure, she bravely recounted her ordeal, confronting the defense’s attempts to shift blame. The experience, though emotionally draining, reinforced her resolve.
Beyond Survival: Giving Voice to the Victims
Kleiner Rubin and her co-author, Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, have dedicated themselves to honoring the victims of Bundy’s crimes. Their book, “A Light in the Dark,” aims to illuminate the lives of these women, moving beyond the reductive lists of names often presented in accounts of Bundy’s atrocities. They strive to restore their individuality and highlight the futures stolen by a brutal killer.
Kathy Kleiner Rubin today. (Courtesy: Kathy Kleiner Rubin)
Dismantling the Myth: The Real Ted Bundy
Kleiner Rubin and Lucchesi also challenge the romanticized portrayal of Bundy often perpetuated by the media. They expose the fabricated narrative of a brilliant, charming law student, revealing the reality of a man who barely scraped through college, had a minimal work history, and relied on the financial support of others.
Ted Bundy in a Miami courtroom. (AP Photo)
Lucchesi points to the complicity of those who enabled Bundy’s cross-country travels, highlighting their role in the continuation of his killing spree. She argues that law enforcement also contributed to the Bundy myth, perhaps to deflect from their own failures in allowing his escape.
Finding Strength in Sharing Her Story
For Kathy Kleiner Rubin, speaking out about her experience has become a source of healing. Her story is not just about surviving a brutal attack, but about reclaiming her narrative, honoring the victims, and challenging the distorted image of her attacker. It’s a story of resilience, strength, and a refusal to be defined by tragedy.
