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He received his moniker after the first five victims were found in or along the Green River in 1982.
To avoid the death penalty, Ridgway agreed to cooperate with authorities, leading them to the remains of multiple missing victims in 2003 and 2004. Recent Developments (2023-2026)
The majority of murders occurred between 1982 and 1998, though his reign of terror spanned nearly two decades. Green River Killer
Ridgway strangled victims by hand or ligature and dumped their bodies in remote, forested areas, often returning to them for sexual acts.
Gary Ridgway , known as the , is one of the most prolific serial killers in United States history, convicted of murdering 49 women and girls in Washington state during the 1980s and 1990s. A paint detailer by trade, Ridgway targeted vulnerable women—primarily sex workers and runaway teenagers—operating largely in the King County area near Seattle. He received his moniker after the first five
He was arrested on November 30, 2001, while leaving the Kenworth truck factory in Renton, Washington.
As of April 2026, Ridgway is serving 49 consecutive life sentences and is reportedly in poor health, with recent reports indicating he is receiving end-of-life care in prison. Case Overview Ridgway strangled victims by hand or ligature and
In the late 1990s, advances in DNA technology allowed detectives to link forensic evidence from early crime scenes to Ridgway.