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Washington · 1980s–1990s

Gary Ridgway

Gary Ridgway
Gary RidgwayKing County Sheriff's Office, 2001 / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain (U.S.)

Photographs are cropped to fit. Photo dates and original images are available through the source credits.

Multiple & serial murders

Also known in coverage as: Green River Killer

Gary Ridgway killed women and girls in Washington, many of whom were vulnerable or working in the sex trade. Advances in DNA testing helped investigators arrest him in 2001. His guilty pleas resolved dozens of murders associated with the Green River investigation.

Content note: violence, abuse, or loss. Linked material may contain graphic descriptions. Screen dramatizations may change events and dialogue.

Roads Traveled

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Washington. The map provides regional context; individually verified historical places are listed below.

Map sources checked September 14, 2026. 2 individual Odd Stops location pages matched this case.

See this case’s source review
Odd Stops
Location pages found · 2 location pages. Source imagery is linked; only separately licensed photos are reproduced.
MurderData
Named case discussion. Read MAP’s source ↗
ArcGIS essay
Not included in this essay.
Reddit map
Reviewed as a general resource. Its coordinates and victim counts were not adopted as case evidence.

“No verified match” describes the accessible material found in this review, not proof that a source has never covered the case. MAP’s anonymous records were not individually matched to people.

See the full case checklist →

Ridgway's former SeaTac home

Private property

21859 32nd Place South, SeaTac, Washington

This former residence is connected with the Green River investigation. It is presented as historical property information.

Historical reference only. No tour or public entry has been verified; respect residents and do not contact occupants.

Location history, maps & imagery at Odd Stops ↗

Meeker Street Bridge

Roadside historical reference

West Meeker Street, Kent, Washington

Wendy Lee Coffield's body was found at this Green River bridge in 1982. A recovery location does not establish where she was killed.

No visitor facilities, legal stopping place, or access beyond public roads have been verified. Respect traffic rules and surrounding property.

Location history, maps & imagery at Odd Stops ↗

Explore outside maps & location guides →

County homicide context

Murder Accountability Project · sourced case discussion

The Green River case in MAP’s cluster tutorial

MAP uses Gary Ridgway as a historical example of how similarities among killings can become visible in a regional cluster. Its example examines the Seattle area and female victims during 1980–2000.

Research geography
Seattle area, Washington
Time frame
1980–2000 — the source’s example window

The example’s date range is a research filter, not a complete chronology of Ridgway’s crimes. A cluster does not establish that every death within it was committed by the same person.

Source reviewed September 14, 2026. Dashboard opens with its own filters; no individual record has been preselected.

Fiction Work

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Scripted stories and fictional inspirations. Scenes, characters, and dialogue can differ from the record.

No verified fictional adaptation or inspiration has been identified in this collection. Nonfiction coverage is listed in the other media sections.

01Books

1 items

Ann Rule

Green River, Running Red

Book-length account or personal perspective. This link provides bibliographic details; compare the author’s account with reporting and records.

Explore this book

02Movies

0 items

Watch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.

A verified movie listing has not been added yet.

New material will appear here after editorial review.

03TV & documentaries

4 items

Watch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.

Hulu

The Green River Killer: Mind of a Monster

Nonfiction screen coverage of this case. The linked page identifies the program or episode; playback, subscriptions, and regional availability vary.

Viewing options & episode details

Peacock

Green River Killer: I Met My Sister’s Killer

Nonfiction screen coverage of this case. The linked page identifies the program or episode; playback, subscriptions, and regional availability vary.

Viewing options & episode details

IMDb · Screen title

The Green River Killer: Hunting the Monster (2021)

IMDb title reference connected to the Gary Ridgway case. Listed release: 2021. Cast, credits, and title information; viewing availability is separate.

Credits & title details on IMDb

04Newspaper clippings

2 items

Original newspaper coverage, hosted by Newspapers.com. Read each article in the context of its publication date; later findings may differ. Full-page access may require sign-in.

Featured newspaper clipping

Read a featured clipping here, then explore more reporting in the newspaper archive.

The News Tribune · 2001-12-02 · Page 1

Ridgway arrest renews scrutiny of the investigation

Local coverage examines Ridgway’s background and the lasting effects on an earlier person of interest.

Early arrest coverage; suspicion alone does not establish guilt.

Open full clipping at Newspapers.com

More from the newspaper archive

Continue with these dated reports on Newspapers.com.

The Daily Herald · 2005-11-23 · Page 12

Tracy Winston’s remains identified

An Associated Press report describes identification of remains belonging to one of Ridgway’s victims.

Reporting from 2005; includes neighboring news.

Read this article on Newspapers.com

Keep following the newspaper trail.

Search original reporting, follow the trial, and compare how newspapers covered the case over time.

Explore more on Newspapers.com

Newspapers.com controls access to its archive. A subscription may be required; existing subscribers can sign in.

05News & reporting

1 items

Los Angeles Times

Reporting on Gary Ridgway

Linked reporting or commentary. Read the source date for its historical context; access may require a subscription.

Read source

06Podcasts

15 items

Direct links open the selected episode in Apple Podcasts or on its publisher’s site. Some editions may require a subscription.

Apple Podcasts

Historically High — Gary Ridgway: The Green River Killer

Direct episode page for this case or its screen adaptation. Open it for listening options and the publisher’s episode notes.

Listen to the episode

Last Podcast On The Left

Episode 672: Gary Ridgway : Redux Part II - The Aroma of Tacoma

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released July 10, 2026. About 96 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Morbid

The Green River Killer - Gary Ridgway (Part 3)

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released July 13, 2026. About 75 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Last Podcast On The Left

Episode 116: Gary Ridgway

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released February 17, 2015. About 55 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Last Podcast On The Left

Episode 673: Gary Ridgway : Redux Part III - The Riverman

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released July 17, 2026. About 87 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Morbid

The Green River Killer - Gary Ridgway (Part 1)

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released July 6, 2026. About 52 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Morbid

The Green River Killer - Gary Ridgway (Part 2)

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released July 9, 2026. About 71 minutes.

Listen to the episode

True Crime All The Time

Gary Ridgway - The Green River Killer Part 1

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released September 18, 2023. About 76 minutes.

Listen to the episode

True Crime All The Time

Gary Ridgway - The Green River Killer Part 2

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released September 25, 2023. About 78 minutes.

Listen to the episode

The Casual Criminalist

Gary Ridgway - The Green River Killer

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released July 7, 2023. About 63 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Obscura: A True Crime Podcast

SERIAL KILLER: Gary Ridgway (Part 1 of 2) | Seattle, WA 1982

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released July 19, 2023. About 48 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Killer Psyche

Gary Ridgway - The Green River Killer

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released August 4, 2026. About 55 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Lights Out

Gary Ridgway: The Green River Killer

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released April 24, 2020. About 44 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Obscura: A True Crime Podcast

SERIAL KILLER: Gary Ridgway (Part 2 of 3) | Seattle, WA 1980

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released August 2, 2023. About 38 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Obscura: A True Crime Podcast

SERIAL KILLER: Gary Ridgway (Part 3 of 3) | Seattle, WA 1980

Podcast coverage of the Gary Ridgway case. Released August 9, 2023. About 33 minutes.

Listen to the episode

07Social Media

10 items

Case videos, posts, family pages, and creator communities. Creator channels and groups cover multiple cases; each includes a link to the relevant episode. Facebook or TikTok may require sign-in, and groups may require membership approval. Community opinions are separate from verified reporting.

Real Crime

Gary Ridgway: The Story Of The Green River Killer | World’s Most Evil Killers | Real Crime

Video from Real Crime covering the Gary Ridgway case. Length: 44:16.

Watch on YouTube

Real Crime

Gary Ridgway: The Green River Killer | Real Crime

Video from Real Crime covering the Gary Ridgway case. Length: 45:10.

Watch on YouTube

FilmRise True Crime

World's Most Evil Killers - Season 3, Episode 3 - Gary Ridgway - Full Episode

Full episode or film as labeled by the publisher from FilmRise True Crime covering the Gary Ridgway case. Length: 44:52.

Watch on YouTube

The Casual Criminalist

Gary Ridgway - The Green River Killer

Video from The Casual Criminalist covering the Gary Ridgway case. Length: 59:51.

Watch on YouTube

Absolute Crime

How The Green River Killer Evaded Police For 19 Years | Gary Ridgway: Born To Kill? | Absolute Crime

Video from Absolute Crime covering the Gary Ridgway case. Length: 44:57.

Watch on YouTube

Absolute Crime

Is "Killing Machine" Gary Ridgway America's Worst Killer? | Most Evil Killers | Absolute Crime

Video from Absolute Crime covering the Gary Ridgway case. Length: 44:31.

Watch on YouTube

A&E

20-YEAR Hunt for "Green River Killer" Gary Ridgway | Cold Case Files | A&E

Video from A&E covering the Gary Ridgway case. Length: 11:54.

Watch on YouTube

Lights Out

Gary Ridgway: The Green River Killer - Lights Out Podcast #2

Video from Lights Out covering the Gary Ridgway case. Length: 43:51.

Watch on YouTube

LMN

My Uncle is the Green River Killer | Special | Full Episode | LMN

Full episode or film as labeled by the publisher from LMN covering the Gary Ridgway case. Length: 1:22:40.

Watch on YouTube

Investigation Discovery

The Survivors Speak | Mind of a Monster: Ted Bundy & The Green River Killer | ID

Video from Investigation Discovery covering the Gary Ridgway case. Length: 31:35.

Watch on YouTube

08Blogs & essays

0 items

Outside blogs, personal essays, and creator write-ups. These reflect each author’s perspective. Check publication dates and compare claims with reporting and court records.

This section is awaiting its first entry.

New material will appear here after editorial review.

09Internet Archive

5 items

Individual records from Internet Archive: library books, historical broadcasts, and preserved web pages. A catalog listing does not guarantee free reading or full playback. Access, previews, and borrowing are controlled by Internet Archive.

Internet Archive · Library record · 2004

Green River, running red : the real story of the Green River killer, America's deadliest serial murderer

Rule, Ann. A library catalog record for a book connected with Gary Ridgway. The record may offer a preview or borrowing options; full reading access is not guaranteed.

View the library record

Internet Archive · Library record · 2006

Defending Gary : unraveling the mind of the Green River Killer

Prothero, Mark, 1956-. A library catalog record for a book connected with Gary Ridgway. The record may offer a preview or borrowing options; full reading access is not guaranteed.

View the library record

Internet Archive · TV News Archive

CNN Newsroom : CNN : November 4, 2010 2:00pm-4:00pm EST

The archive indexes this broadcast under Gary Ridgway. It may contain several stories; use any available captions or previews to locate the relevant segment. Full playback may be restricted.

Explore the archived broadcast

Internet Archive · TV News Archive

Meet the Press : MSNBC : June 5, 2011 5:00pm-6:00pm EDT

The archive indexes this broadcast under Gary Ridgway. It may contain several stories; use any available captions or previews to locate the relevant segment. Full playback may be restricted.

Explore the archived broadcast

Internet Archive · TV News Archive

MSNBC Documentary : MSNBC : June 5, 2011 4:00pm-5:00pm EDT

The archive indexes this broadcast under Gary Ridgway. It may contain several stories; use any available captions or previews to locate the relevant segment. Full playback may be restricted.

Explore the archived broadcast

10From the journal

0 articles

This section is awaiting its first entry.

New material will appear here after editorial review.

11Court records & documents

1 items

Court opinions, filings, transcripts, and dockets, alongside clearly labeled parole records, released investigative files, and courtroom recordings. Each item identifies its source and scope. Allegations in filings are not findings of guilt. These selections are not complete case files. Where an online document could not be verified, a separate guide identifies the records office or archive to contact.

Plea statement excerptArchive copy

Ridgway — statement on guilty plea, excerpted filing

Nine-page excerpt from Gary Ridgway’s statement on plea of guilty, reproduced as document images. This is a selection from the filed statement, not the complete prosecution file.

Court / agency
King County Superior Court, Washington
Document date
November 5, 2003
Hosted by
The Smoking Gun

12Nicknames & media names

1 items

Hulu

Green River Killer

A name used in the linked media coverage. Media labels do not resolve disputed allegations or identify an unknown offender.

Read source

13Where are they now?

0 items

The latest information verified for this collection is listed below. Each source has its own date; these are not live custody records.

A current-status update has not been verified for this case yet.

New material will appear here after editorial review.

14Positive Outcome

0 items

Documented laws, advocacy, and reforms connected to this case. Changes do not undo the harm, and listing a law does not claim that it is effective or universally supported.

No case-specific law, reform, or advocacy initiative has been verified for this collection yet. This does not mean that none exists.

New material will appear here after editorial review.