As recently as April, Utah authorities determined that Ted Bundy murdered another 17-year-old girl in the state, Laura Ann Aime, using DNA evidence linked to the Melissa Ann Smith case, which is now considered solved.
Other factors also point to Bundy as the perpetrator, according to police.
"With every case that is solved, we may forget the memory of Ted Bundy," said police officer Mike Reynolds at a press conference.
Melissa Ann Smith disappeared on October 18, 1974, in Salt Lake County. A week later, her body was found by a hunter outside Salt Lake City.
Ted Bundy was executed in 1989. Shortly before his execution, he confessed to a large number of murders. He murdered at least 30 women and girls.