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.
Ridgway strangled victims by hand or ligature and dumped their bodies in remote, forested areas, often returning to them for sexual acts. Green River Killer
The majority of murders occurred between 1982 and 1998, though his reign of terror spanned nearly two decades. Gary Ridgway , known as the , is
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
He was arrested on November 30, 2001, while leaving the Kenworth truck factory in Renton, Washington.
In the late 1990s, advances in DNA technology allowed detectives to link forensic evidence from early crime scenes to Ridgway.
He received his moniker after the first five victims were found in or along the Green River in 1982.