Who was The Green River Killer?

Gary Leon Ridgway (born February 18, 1949), also known as the Green River Killer, is an American serial killer. Active from 1982 to 1998 in the Seattle-Tacoma area of Washington, he targeted principally young women from vulnerable populations, many of whom were prostitutes and runaways. Ridgway confessed to killing 71 young women, although prosecutors believe the actual number could be closer to 90.

Ridgway's crimes went undetected for over 15 years due to a combination of factors, including the sheer number of missing women in the area, law enforcement's focus on other suspects, and Ridgway's own evasive tactics. He was eventually caught in 2001 after advances in DNA analysis linked him to several victims.

Ridgway's case is considered one of the most prolific serial killer cases in American history, and he is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at the Washington State Penitentiary.