Where is Gary Ridgway Now? Everything about the Green River Killer

Gary Ridgway

Gary Ridgway, known as the Green River Killer, is an American serial killer and sex offender who was convicted of 49 murders, making him one of the most prolific serial killers in US history. His victims were primarily teenage girls and women in Washington State during the 1980s and 1990s.

Born on February 18, 1949, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Ridgway had a troubled upbringing in a working-class family. He experienced a difficult childhood with an alcoholic father and an emotionally distant mother. Ridgway disclosed being sexually abused by his older sister and molested by a neighbor during his childhood.

In 1965, Ridgway enlisted in the United States Navy and served for four years, stationed in Japan. Upon leaving the Navy, he returned to Washington State and found employment as a truck painter.

Ridgway’s killing spree began in 1982. He targeted and murdered prostitutes by strangulation, disposing of their bodies in remote areas. Over the course of 20 years, Ridgway continued his brutal crimes.

In 2001, Ridgway was arrested and charged with the murders of 49 women. He was convicted in 2003 and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Although Ridgway has confessed to killing at least 71 women, he has not faced charges for the remaining 22 murders. Furthermore, he has refused to disclose the locations of the victims’ bodies.

Currently incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington, Ridgway is considered a high-risk inmate and is kept in solitary confinement.

The case of Gary Ridgway is infamous in American history, capturing national attention and raising profound questions about the nature of evil. It shed light on the difficulties in apprehending serial killers and underscored the significance of cooperation among law enforcement agencies.

Where is Gary Ridgway Now?

Gary Ridgway, the infamous serial killer, is currently confined at the Washington State Penitentiary located in Walla Walla, Washington. Within the penitentiary, he is held in the Special Commitment Unit, a highly secure facility designed for inmates who pose a threat to themselves or others. To ensure utmost security, Ridgway is subjected to 23 hours of daily solitary confinement, with only one hour allocated for exercise outside of his cell. He is strictly prohibited from interacting with fellow inmates, and any communication with his family and legal representatives is restricted to video monitoring.

Due to his notoriety, Ridgway is continuously monitored and subjected to heightened surveillance measures. The authorities regard him as a potential target for other prisoners, thus necessitating his isolation. Additionally, considering the risk of self-harm, he is under constant supervision.

Given the severity of his crimes, Ridgway is highly unlikely to ever regain his freedom. Currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, he is categorized as a high-risk inmate and poses a continuous threat to both himself and others. Consequently, his incarceration remains a necessary measure for the safety and security of all involved. 

Ridgway was arrested in 2001 and pleaded guilty to the murders in a plea bargain deal that spared him the death penalty. He is currently 72 years old and has been in prison since 2003. Ridgway’s case remains one of the most high-profile and infamous cases in U.S. criminal history, and his crimes have had a lasting impact on the families of his victims and the wider community. 

Gary Ridgway IQ

Gary Ridgway’s intelligence has been assessed to be in the low 80s, indicating below-average cognitive abilities. However, it is crucial to recognize that IQ is just one aspect of intelligence, and numerous other factors contribute to an individual’s overall intellectual capacity. Despite Ridgway’s lower IQ, he exhibited a certain level of cunning and resourcefulness, allowing him to elude capture for an extended period while tragically claiming the lives of up to 71 women. This suggests that his intelligence manifested in unconventional ways, even if it did not align with traditional notions.

It is worth noting that IQ tests may not always provide an accurate representation of an individual’s true intellectual capabilities. Various factors such as educational background, socioeconomic status, and cultural influences can influence test results. Hence, it is plausible that Ridgway’s IQ might be higher than the estimated figures suggest.

Ridgway’s IQ was initially evaluated in 1975 at the age of 19, where he achieved a score of 78 on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), indicative of below-average intelligence. Subsequently, in 2003, at 54 years old, he underwent another IQ assessment, yielding a score of 79 on the WAIS-III, also falling below the average range.

Nonetheless, it is essential to approach IQ assessments with caution, as they possess limitations in accurately measuring a person’s comprehensive intellectual capacities. In Ridgway’s case, despite his lower IQ, his ability to evade capture for an extended period and carry out his heinous acts highlights a certain level of intelligence that deviates from conventional measures.

Ridgway employed strategies such as targeting vulnerable individuals, specifically prostitutes and drug addicts, while implementing various disposal methods for the victims’ bodies, creating significant challenges for law enforcement in apprehending him.

Eventually, Ridgway’s crimes were brought to light in 2001 when DNA evidence linked him to multiple murders. In 2003, he pled guilty to 48 of the killings and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Ridgway’s case serves as a stark reminder that IQ alone cannot reliably predict an individual’s intelligence or capacity to commit crimes, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of human cognition and behavior. 

Green River Killer

The Green River Killer is the nickname given to Gary Ridgway, an American serial killer who was convicted of murdering 49 women in the Seattle metropolitan area between 1982 and 1998. Ridgway was a truck painter by trade and lived in SeaTac, Washington. He targeted young women, many of whom were prostitutes or runaways. He would often pick them up in his truck and then strangle them to death. He would then dump their bodies in remote areas, often along the Green River.

Ridgway was first arrested in 1982 on a prostitution charge, but he was released after passing a polygraph test. He was again arrested in 2001 after a DNA match linked him to several of the Green River murders. He pleaded guilty to 49 murders in 2003 and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Ridgway’s case is one of the most notorious serial killer cases in American history. He is believed to have killed as many as 71 women, but he was only convicted of 49 murders. He is currently incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington.

The Green River Killer case had a significant impact on the Seattle metropolitan area. It led to increased awareness of the dangers of prostitution and runaways. It also led to the creation of new law enforcement agencies and programs dedicated to catching serial killers.

The Green River Killer case is a reminder that there are evil people in the world who are capable of committing horrific crimes. It is also a reminder that law enforcement agencies are committed to catching these criminals and bringing them to justice.

Gary Ridgway Son

Gary Ridgway had a son named Matthew Ridgway, who was born in 1975. Matthew’s mother was Marcia Lorene Brown, Ridgway’s second wife. However, their marriage ended in divorce after eight years.

According to Matthew, he had a positive relationship with his father while growing up. He described Ridgway as a calm individual who never raised his voice. Ridgway engaged in activities such as camping trips, teaching Matthew how to play baseball, and consistently attending school concerts and soccer practices.

Nevertheless, Matthew was also aware of his father’s dark side. He knew that Ridgway had been questioned by the police regarding the Green River murders, and he overheard his parents arguing about it.

In 2003, Ridgway confessed to the murders of 49 women in the Green River area. This revelation deeply affected Matthew, and he has since distanced himself from his father. He has chosen not to speak to the media and has even changed his name. Matthew’s current whereabouts are unknown, but it is believed that he resides in the Seattle area.

Gary Ridgway Childhood

Gary Ridgway had a troubled childhood, growing up in what became SeaTac, Washington. His father was a bus driver and his mother was a sales clerk. Ridgway was the second of three sons and had a strained relationship with his domineering mother. He was a frequent bed-wetter, often leading to punishment from his mother. Ridgway’s home life was characterized by his parents fighting and eventual separation when he was around 10 years old. Ridgway later claimed that he developed a hatred for his mother and was sexually attracted to her. He also reportedly committed his first violent crime at the age of 16.

Gary Ridgway was shy and often bullied by his peers. He struggled in school and was held back a grade after failing several classes. He also had a learning disability that made it difficult for him to read and write. In addition to his bed-wetting issues, Ridgway had a fascination with prostitutes and began seeking them out at a young age. He also had a habit of setting fires, including one instance where he burned down a shack and claimed later that he did it just to see what would happen. Ridgway’s troubled childhood, coupled with his early sexual experiences and fascination with prostitutes, would later be cited as possible contributing factors to his future criminal actions as the notorious Green River Killer.

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