Early Life and Background

Gary Ridgway, born on February 18, 1949, in Salt Lake City, Utah, grew up in a troubled household with a domineering mother and an absentee father. As a child, Ridgway exhibited disturbing behavior such as torturing animals and setting fires, which are often considered early warning signs of potential serial killers.

Modus Operandi

Ridgway's killing spree began in the 1980s and continued for over two decades. He targeted vulnerable women, mostly prostitutes and runaways, whom he would pick up along the Pacific Highway South in Washington State. After gaining their trust, Ridgway would strangle his victims to death and dump their bodies in remote wooded areas or along the Green River.

Arrest and Conviction

Ridgway was finally apprehended in 2001 after DNA evidence linked him to the murders of several women. In a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, Ridgway confessed to killing 49 women but later claimed to have murdered over 70 victims. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Net Worth

As of 2024, Gary Ridgway's net worth is difficult to estimate as he is serving multiple life sentences in prison. However, it is safe to assume that any assets he may have had prior to his arrest have been seized or forfeited.

Legacy

Gary Ridgway's reign of terror earned him the moniker "The Green River Killer" and solidified his place as one of the most prolific serial killers in American history. His case has been studied extensively by criminologists and psychologists in an effort to understand the mind of a serial killer.

In conclusion, Gary Ridgway's heinous crimes have left a lasting impact on the families of his victims and society as a whole. His story serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk within seemingly ordinary individuals.