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Green River Killer

The Green River Killer is the nickname given to American serial killer Gary Leon Ridgway, who was convicted of murdering women in Washington state.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Green River Killer is the nickname given to American serial killer Gary Leon Ridgway, who was convicted of murdering women in Washington state. The name comes from the Green River area near Seattle, where several victims were first found. Ridgway pleaded guilty in 2003 and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Identity and nickname

Gary Ridgway became known as the Green River Killer after several victims were found near the Green River south of Seattle. The nickname was used before his identity was confirmed by investigators.

Crimes and victims

Ridgway killed women in Washington state, primarily in the Seattle area, over a period spanning the 1980s and 1990s. Court records and later investigations linked him to 49 murders, while he later claimed to have killed many more.

Investigation and arrest

The Green River case drew local, state, and federal attention and remained unsolved for years. Ridgway was arrested in 2001 after DNA evidence connected him to the murders.

Conviction and sentence

In 2003, Ridgway pleaded guilty to 48 murders and later admitted to additional killings. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole and remains incarcerated in Washington.

Key facts

  • Ridgway is widely described as the deadliest convicted serial killer in the United States.
  • He was nicknamed the Green River Killer because bodies of some victims were found near the Green River in Washington.
  • The case became one of the longest and largest serial murder investigations in U.S. history.
  • Ridgway was arrested in 2001 after DNA evidence linked him to the crimes.
  • He pleaded guilty in 2003 to avoid the death penalty and received life sentences.

Frequently asked questions

Who was the Green River Killer?
The Green River Killer was Gary Leon Ridgway, an American serial killer convicted of murdering women in Washington state.
Why was he called the Green River Killer?
He got the nickname because several victims were found near the Green River area south of Seattle.
How many people did Gary Ridgway kill?
He was convicted of 49 murders and later confessed to more, but investigators have not verified all of his claims.
When was Gary Ridgway arrested?
He was arrested in 2001 after DNA evidence linked him to the murders.
What sentence did he receive?
He received life imprisonment without parole after pleading guilty in 2003.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gary-Ridgway
    Supports: Identity, birth details, nickname, and status as a convicted serial killer.
  2. King County Sheriff’s Office — https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/sheriff/courts-jails-legal-system/sheriff-services/investigations/green-river
    Supports: Origin of the investigation, victim discoveries, arrest, and number of linked murders.
  3. Federal Bureau of Investigation — https://www.fbi.gov/history/field-office-histories/seattle
    Supports: Investigation timeline, DNA arrest, plea, and sentence.
  4. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/23/us/victim-green-river-killer-identified.html
    Supports: Later identification of remains and updated victim-account information.