The Bundy Murders: A Comprehensive History by Kevin M. Sullivan

wouldn't ask this favor but my brother is busy and is unable to help.' He sort of pointed in the direction of the parking lot. I said: `Well, I am sort of in a hurry to go.' He said: `That's OK.' He just stood there for a few seconds, that's when I walked on to the concession stand. I glanced off into the crowd and saw him walk away. 1142
    It was a numbers game. He knew that. His eyes kept scanning the crowd. There was another victim out there just waiting to accept his offer. He just needed to be patient. He would keep concentrating on those traveling to and from the restrooms and the concession stand. Despite the fact he was somewhat tired from the day's activities and found himself to be a little more forceful in his persuasion and even a little more edgy, he could still pour on the charm once he detected a receptive heart.

    Around 4:30, Denise Naslund, eighteen, a pretty girl with long, dark hair parted in the middle, carefully raised herself up from the beach towel shielding her from the ground. As she did so, she steadied herself momentarily as she was still feeling somewhat drowsy from the downers and beer she'd had earlier in the day. She made no attempt to awaken Ken, nor did she say anything to Bob or Nancy. She was only going to the restroom and would return in a few minutes.

Denise Naslund was pretty, friendly, and wasn't even supposed to be at Lake Sammamish on what turned out to be the last day of her life (courtesy King County Archives).
    At the same time Denise was leaving, moving slowly so as to give her legs time to steady themselves, it was reported that a man with a sling on his left arm "was walking back and forth in front of the restroom." According to a witness who later positively identified Denise from a photograph, she was in fact the one who stopped to speak with this man after leaving the bathroom. This would be the last known sighting of Denise Naslund. Sixteen days after her disappearance, her good friend Robin Woods would warn detectives: "If she was high on July 14, 1974, she would be loose [meaning relaxed]. If the guy was a smooth talker and good looking, Denise would then help him."43 Sadly, she hadn't even planned to be at Lake Sammamish that day.
    Earlier that morning, Denise and her boyfriend Kenneth Little (they had been living together for the past nine months), received a call from Bob Sargent and his girlfriend Nancy Battema inviting them to go to Lake Sammamish for the afternoon. They thought it was a great idea, and the couples agreed to meet at Charlie's East Tavern around 12:15 for a quick beer. Leaving Bob's car at Charlie's, they (along with Little's dog) rode in Denise's tan Chevrolet, stopping only once along the way to purchase ice for their cooler, and arrived at the park between 1:00 and 1:30 P.M.
    Although they had a case of beer with them, Sargent admitted: "En route to the park, Denise, Ken, and myself each ate four valiums." After parking her car they "walked to the main picnic area, and took up a spot halfway between the bathroom and the Rainier bandstand. At the parking lot we had met Don Cook and two girls who were friends of mine and Nancy's. They joined us at our picnic spot. The seven of us shared a marijuana joint. We sat and talked and drank beer and listened to the band. Then, Denise, Ken, Nancy and I went over and watched the keg toss until it was over," Sargent remembered.

    Around 4:00 P.M. he purchased hot dogs and hamburgers for the group, and Denise, who had fallen asleep only a short time earlier, had some difficulty waking up. According to Nancy, Denise had told her she was still pretty high before drifting off to sleep. "The four of us then ate the food at our picnic area after Denise awoke from a nap," Sargent said. "We sat and talked and drank beer. Around 4:15, Ken dozed off. About 4:40, Denise got up from where we were sitting and walked away without saying anything to me; that was not unusual, because I assumed she was going to the restroom or to