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
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
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
In the late 1990s, advances in DNA technology allowed detectives to link forensic evidence from early crime scenes to Ridgway.
He pleaded guilty to 48 murders in 2003 to avoid the death penalty, and in 2011 pleaded guilty to a 49th murder. However, he has confessed to killing over 70 women, and investigators believe the true number may be even higher. Arrest and Conviction As of April 2026, Ridgway is serving 49
He was arrested on November 30, 2001, while leaving the Kenworth truck factory in Renton, Washington.