“Green River Killer” Gary Ridgway — who claimed he killed as many as 80 people — is reportedly receiving end-of-life care at a Washington state prison.
Five unidentified sources that are reportedly knowledgeable of Ridgway’s medical condition told KIRO about his declining health, though they did not provide specifics. Ridgway, 76, has been housed at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla since pleading guilty in 2003 to killing 49 women.
The Washington Department of Corrections has disputed KIRO’s report, claiming the prolific serial killer’s medical condition remains unchanged.
“These are inaccurate rumors. While we are not able to provide much detail about incarcerated individuals’ medical information, we are able to confirm that Gary Ridgway has not had any change to his medical condition,” Rachel Ericson, the agency’s deputy communications director, told KIRO.
Despite pleading guilty to 49 women, Ridgway told KIRO in 2013 that he had between 75 and 80 victims. In the 1980’s and 90’s Ridgway targeted young sex workers and runaways in the Seattle area. Their bodies were later discovered in wooded areas in King County.
To be spared the death penalty, Ridgway had to tell investigators where his victims’ bodies were.
“My first kills, I didn’t know they were dead. 1982 was when I said I started killing. That’s when I knew 100% I killed. But I had several of them before that because I didn’t think they were dead,” he told KIRO — revealing that several of his kills happened are not on the “Green River list” because they occurred before 1982.
Court documents detailed how, in September 2024, Ridgway was released to help investigators locate more of his victims. The multi-day search turned up no new remains. A source told KIRO that there were inconsistencies in Ridgway’s claims, sparking speculation that it was his last-ditch effort to manipulate law enforcement.
“Some investigators believe he was making up new locations entirely as a sick boast,” the source commented.
This story is developing…
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[Feature Photo: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson]
