Part One:



In light of the recent arrest of the suspect in the Long Island Serial killings (Gilgo Beach murders) I thought it would be the perfect time to revisit another story that shares similiar tones and the same type of victim, as well as a law enforcement being slow to react to the news that sex workers were going missing, even though it was reported by friends and family members.


Gary Ridgway, also known as the Green River Killer, was a notorious American serial killer who targeted young women in the Seattle, Washington area during the 1980s and 1990s. His crimes were one of the most extensive and horrifying serial killing cases in U.S. history.

Ridgway was born on February 18, 1949, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He had a troubled childhood, characterized by a strained relationship with his parents and a reported fascination with violence and bestiality. As an adult, Ridgway held various jobs, including painting trucks and working in the military.

The Green River Killings began in 1982 when the first victims' bodies were discovered along the Green River, a waterway south of Seattle. The initial victims were young women, many of whom were involved in prostitution. Ridgway lured them into his vehicle, usually promising money or offering a ride, and then would strangle them to death. He later confessed to having a compulsion to kill and stated that he derived sexual pleasure from the act of murdering his victims.

Over the course of nearly two decades, Ridgway continued his killing spree, targeting vulnerable women and dumping their bodies in secluded areas, often returning to the crime scenes to engage in necrophilia. He evaded capture for years, partially due to the transient nature of his victims and the lack of public attention initially given to the disappearances. The police investigation into the Green River Killings became one of the largest and costliest in U.S. history, involving task forces, multiple law enforcement agencies, and extensive forensic work.

In the early 2000s, advancements in forensic technology led to a breakthrough in the case. In 2001, Ridgway was arrested after DNA evidence linked him to the killings. In a plea bargain, he agreed to provide information about his crimes and lead investigators to the remains of his victims in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. Ridgway confessed to the murders of 48 women, although authorities believe the actual number of victims could be much higher, possibly exceeding 70.

During his trial in 2003, Ridgway pleaded guilty to the murders and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His willingness to cooperate with investigators and provide closure to the victims' families was considered a significant factor in avoiding the death penalty. Ridgway is currently serving his sentence at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington.

The Green River Killings and Gary Ridgway's case highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in investigating serial murders and the vulnerability of marginalized communities. It also underscored the importance of forensic science and DNA technology in solving cold cases and bringing justice to the victims and their families.



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to contact me:

bobbycapucci@protonmail.com


source:

The Banality of Gary: A Green River Chiller - The Washington Post