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
He received his moniker after the first five victims were found in or along the Green River in 1982. 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. He pleaded guilty to 48 murders in 2003
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
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.