Gary Ridgway

Updated: April 21, 2025

Gary Ridgway, born on February 18, 1949, in Salt Lake City, Utah, known as the “Green River Killer,” is one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. Convicted of murdering 49 women and girls, he confessed to even more killings.

Ridgway primarily operated in Washington State, with most of his victims discovered in or near the Green River, which flows through King County, Washington—a detail that earned him his chilling moniker. His crimes were concentrated in areas around Seattle, Tacoma, and South King County.

The majority of his victims were young women, often involved in sex work or living in vulnerable conditions. Ridgway preyed on their precarious situations, exploiting their struggles.

His killing spree lasted from 1982 to at least 1998, with the bulk of the murders taking place between 1982 and 1984.

Ridgway eluded law enforcement for nearly 20 years, aided by his ability to blend into society as an ordinary individual and the limitations of forensic technology during that era.

His case remains one of the most infamous in U.S. criminal history, highlighting the challenges of investigating serial killers who target marginalized and vulnerable populations.

CRIMINAL PROFILE

NAME: Gary Ridgway

OTHER NAMES / ALIAS: Green River Killer

BORN: February 18, 1949

COUNTRY: USA

VICTIMS: 49 confirmed

CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS: 49 consecutive life sentences

IMPRISONED AT: Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington

WHERE IS Gary Ridgway NOW?

SENTENCE

Received 49 consecutive life sentences – no possibility of parole

Gary Ridgway is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole and remains incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington, where he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

As part of his 2003 plea agreement, he avoided the death penalty in exchange for his confession and providing information about his crimes, including the locations of victims’ remains. This agreement ensured that he would never be released from prison.

In December 2003, Ridgway was formally sentenced to 48 consecutive life sentences. During his sentencing hearing, he expressed a lack of remorse, stating that he had killed so many women that he saw them as “disposable.”

In 2011 he pleaded guilty to murdering his 49th victim, 20-year-old Rebecca Marrero, and received another life sentence, bringing his total to 49.

In December 2023, investigators announced the identification of another victim, previously known as Bones 17, as Lori Anne Razpotnik, a 15-year-old from Lewis County who had been reported missing in 1982 after running away from home. Her remains were discovered in Auburn in 1985. [1]

In January 2024, the Sheriff’s Office revealed that the last known remains of one of Gary Ridgway’s victims, previously referred to by investigators as Bones 20, had been positively identified through DNA analysis as Tammie Liles, a teenager from Everett. Liles had initially been identified as a victim in 1988 when dental records matched a separate set of remains discovered earlier.

In September 2024, Ridgway was transferred out of prison into custody at King County Jail, as part of an ongoing investigation attempting to locate undiscovered victims remains. He was transferred back to jail 4 days later, no update on the success of the operation has been publicly disclosed. [2]

LATEST UPDATES

Know about missing updates on Gary Ridgway? Please let us knowx

9 Sep 2024: Ridgway transferred to King County Jail – team took Ridgway to locations where he believed he left remains of victims not yet recovered [3]
13 Sep 2024: Transferred back to Walla Walla Penitentiary – No update on if discovered remains were found.

[1/2] Seattle Times: Green River killer booked in King County Jail, but no one will say why – Sep 9, 2024
[3] Komo News: ‘Green River Killer’ Gary Ridgway returned to King County to locate more victim remains – Mar 9, 2025

CRIMES COMMITTED

Gary Ridgway is one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history. He was convicted of murdering 49 women and girls, though he confessed to killing even more—estimates suggest the total number of his victims could exceed 70.

Most of his victims were young women, many of whom were involved in sex work or living in vulnerable circumstances. Ridgway targeted marginalized individuals, exploiting their precarious situations.

His killing spree primarily occurred between 1982 and 1984, though he continued to murder sporadically until at least 1998. Many of his victims were from the Seattle, Tacoma, and South King County areas.

Ridgway’s crimes devastated families and communities, and his case remains a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by marginalized individuals and the challenges in solving serial killer cases.

CAPTURE & INVESTIGATION

Gary Ridgway was captured and brought to justice after evading law enforcement for nearly two decades. His eventual capture and confession were the result of advancements in forensic technology and persistent investigative efforts. Here’s an overview of how it unfolded:

Initial Investigations (1980s): Ridgway’s killing spree began in 1982, and by the mid-1980s, the Green River Task Force was established to investigate the murders. Despite extensive efforts, Ridgway managed to evade detection, partly due to his outwardly ordinary appearance and the lack of advanced forensic tools at the time.

DNA Breakthrough (2001): In the late 1990s and early 2000s, advancements in DNA technology allowed investigators to re-examine evidence from the case. In 2001, Ridgway’s DNA was matched to semen found on several victims, linking him directly to the crimes. He was arrested on November 30, 2001, at the Kenworth truck factory in Renton, Washington, where he worked.

Chilling Confessions: Ridgway admitted to targeting vulnerable women, often sex workers or runaways, and described his methods of luring, killing, and disposing of their bodies. He claimed to have killed so many people that he lost count, with estimates suggesting the total number of victims could exceed 70.

Plea Agreement (2003): To avoid the death penalty, Ridgway agreed to a plea deal in which he confessed to the murders of 48 women and girls (later increased to 49). In exchange, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Cooperation with Investigators: As part of the deal, Ridgway provided detailed information about his crimes, including the locations of victims’ remains. His cooperation helped investigators close many unsolved cases and bring closure to victims’ families.

TRIAL & CONVICTIONS

Avoiding the Death Penalty: In 2003, Ridgway struck a plea deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty. In exchange for a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, he agreed to confess to the murders of 48 women and girls (later increased to 49) and provide detailed information about his crimes.

Cooperation: As part of the deal, Ridgway cooperated with investigators, leading them to the remains of some victims and providing insights into his methods and motivations. This cooperation was crucial in solving many cold cases and bringing closure to victims’ families.

Sentencing Hearing

December 2003: Ridgway’s sentencing hearing took place over several days in December 2003. During the hearing, he pleaded guilty to 48 counts of aggravated first-degree murder (a 49th count was added later).
Victim Impact Statements: Family members of the victims were given the opportunity to address Ridgway directly. Many expressed their grief, anger, and frustration at his crimes and his lack of remorse.
Ridgway’s Statements: Ridgway spoke during the hearing, offering a chilling and emotionless account of his crimes. He admitted to targeting vulnerable women, often sex workers or runaways, and described how he viewed his victims as “disposable.” He also claimed to have killed so many people that he lost count.

Judge’s Remarks: The presiding judge, Richard A. Jones, condemned Ridgway’s actions, stating that his crimes were “unfathomable” and that he had caused immeasurable pain to the victims’ families and the community.

Life Without Parole: On December 18, 2003, Ridgway was formally sentenced to 48 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole (later increased to 49). The plea deal ensured that he would never be released from prison.

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REFERENCES / CITATIONS:

1. Komo News: ‘Green River Killer’ Gary Ridgway returned to King County to locate more victim remains – Mar 9, 2025
2. BBC: ‘Green River killer’ Gary Ridgway in 49th murder charge – Feb 7, 2011
3. Michigan Daily: Green River killer pleads guilty to 48 murders – Nov 6, 2003
4. Biography.com: Serial killer Gary Ridgway, known as the Green River Killer, murdered at least 49 women in Washington state before he was caught in 2001. – – Mar 13, 2025
5. CNN: “Green River Killer sentenced to life in prison.” – Dec 19, 2003
6. King County Sheriff’s Office. (2024). “Identification of Green River Killer victims.” – https://www.kingcounty.gov
7. NBC News: Washington man admits 48 murders – Nov 6, 2003

BOOKS ABOUT Gary Ridgway

The Search for the Green River Killer: The True Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer

In the 1980s and 1990s, forty-nine women in the Seattle area were brutally murdered, their bodies dumped along the Green River and Pacific Highway…

VIEW ON AMAZON

The Riverman

After a search of over twenty years, one of America’s most elusive serial killers was finally apprehended. Now, read the true story of one man’s attempt to get inside the ind of the Green River Killer…

VIEW ON AMAZON

TV SHOWS & DOCS FEATURING Gary Ridgway

Sins of the Father: The Green River Killer

Tap into the mind of the ‘Green River Killer’ as his son looks back on his relationship with his father, who killed at least 50 women while masquerading as a normal suburban dad..
TV Special / Documentary | 2022

IMDb

TUBI

World’s Most Evil Killers S3.E4

The case of serial killer Gary Ridgway, who has confessed to murdering a staggering 71 teenage girls and women across Washington state through the 1980s and 1990s.
TV Series / Documentary | 2017

IMDb

SKY MIX

YOUTUBE

Born to kill? S3.E2

Gary Ridgway, a.k.a. the Green River Killer, conducts a nineteen-year reign of terror in Washington, with forty-eight confirmed murders that earn him the title of the most prolific serial killer in the United States.
TV Series / Documentary | 2011

IMDb

YOUTUBE

TRUE LIVES

Mind of a Monster S1:E3 – Gary Leon Ridgway

Documentary about Gary Leon Ridgway, an American serial killer who was active during the 1980s and 1990s. He was known as the “Green River Killer.”
TV Series / Documentary | 2019

IMDb

Crimes That Shook the World – S1.E3 – The Green River Killer

The case of Green River killer Gary Leon Ridgeway who was arrested on 30 November 2001 after 19 years of police searches. The offender is recognized as the most prolific murderer in US history, having slayed at least 48 women.
TV Series / Documentary | 2006

IMDb

DISCOVERY

PRIME VIDEO