Gary Ridgway, also known as the Green River Killer, was born on February 18, 1949 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He grew up in a working-class neighborhood near Seattle's SeaTac airport. Ridgway's childhood was tumultuous, as he experienced a troubled relationship with his strict and domineering mother.
Ridgway attended Tyee High School in SeaTac, Washington but struggled academically. After graduating, he joined the United States Navy and served in Vietnam. Upon his return, Ridgway held various jobs, including painting trucks, a job he continued even as he began his killing spree.
Ridgway's killing spree began in the early 1980s, with most of his victims being young women who had gone missing along Route 99 in Washington state. He would often pick up his victims, bring them to remote wooded areas, and then dispose of their bodies in the Green River.
Despite being a suspect in the disappearances of these women, Ridgway managed to evade capture for years. It wasn't until advancements in DNA matching technology that he was finally arrested and charged with the murders of 48 people. Ridgway later confessed to killing even more victims, with estimates suggesting that he may have been responsible for dozens more deaths.
Gary Ridgway's crimes shocked the nation and sparked widespread fear in the Seattle area. His case highlighted the importance of DNA evidence in solving crimes and brought attention to the issue of serial killers operating unchecked for years.
Seattle punk band Green River, which included members like Stone Gossard, took its name from the infamous river where Ridgway disposed of his victims. The band's association with the killer added an eerie twist to their music and legacy.
Despite his violent tendencies and criminal activities, Ridgway was able to maintain a seemingly normal life. He was married three times and had a son from his second marriage. Ridgway's family and acquaintances were shocked to learn of his true nature as a prolific serial killer.
In 2003, Ridgway pleaded guilty to 48 counts of murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is currently incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary and remains one of the most infamous serial killers in American history.