The Harrowing Events at FSU's Chi Omega Sorority House

In January 1978, Kathy Kleiner was a 20-year-old student living in the Chi Omega sorority house on the Florida State University (FSU) campus in Tallahassee. Life was vibrant, filled with friends, and the campus felt like a safe haven. Classes had resumed, and the semester was just beginning. On the evening of January 14, Kathy decided to stay in and study for an upcoming test, while her roommate, Karen Chandler, worked on a sewing project nearby.

The Night of the Attack

Around midnight, Kathy heard the sound of their bedroom door slamming open. As she groggily came to, she saw a figure standing in the room. Before she could fully grasp what was happening, the man raised an object, which appeared to be a pipe or stick, and struck her in the face. The pain was sharp, like pins and needles stabbing her. When Karen began to stir, the attacker turned his attention to her, hitting her as well.

Kathy was still conscious when the man returned to her side of the bed. As he raised his arm to strike again, a bright light suddenly illuminated the room. The light came from the headlights of a sorority sister’s car pulling into the driveway. Spooked, the intruder fled. The next thing Kathy remembers is being carried downstairs and asking about Karen’s condition. She was told to focus on her own recovery.

A Crime That Shook a Campus

The chaotic aftermath of the attack was overwhelming. Police lights flashed, radios squawked, and voices filled the air. Kathy, dazed and injured, felt as though she was at a surreal carnival. Later, she learned that her attacker had simply walked in through an unlocked door.

Kathy would come to know the name of her assailant: Ted Bundy.

The Grim Reality

The early morning hours of January 15 brought a grim discovery for law enforcement. The Chi Omega house was not just the scene of a brutal assault but also a double murder. Two other residents, Margaret Bowman (21) and Lisa Levy (20), had been strangled, beaten, and sexually assaulted in their rooms down the hall from Kathy and Karen. Sheriff Ken Casarez, who was called to the scene, was deeply affected, especially as he thought of his own daughters while witnessing the aftermath.

Kathy’s Recovery

Kathy awoke in the intensive care unit with extensive injuries: a fractured skull, broken facial bones, a shattered jaw, and crushed fingers. Her jaw was broken in three places and had to be wired shut. Initially, she could remember nothing of the attack. Her father gently broke the news to her about the murders of Margaret and Lisa, shielding her from finding out through television coverage.

While in the hospital, Kathy’s memories of the event were fragmented. Detectives attempted to question her, but she could provide little useful information at the time. Over the years, some memories have resurfaced, but the trauma remains vivid.

Beyond the Sorority House

That same night, another crime scene emerged at a nearby duplex. A young woman living alone was attacked, and neighbors reported hearing suspicious noises. This underscored the widespread danger posed by Bundy, whose heinous acts were not confined to a single location.

Reflections

The events at the Chi Omega house were a tragic chapter in the history of FSU and a chilling reminder of Ted Bundy’s cruelty. Despite her injuries and the emotional toll, Kathy Kleiner has shown remarkable resilience. Her story serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable horror.