He pleaded guilty to 48 murders in 2003 to avoid the death penalty, and in 2011 pleaded guilty to a 49th murder. However, he has confessed to killing over 70 women, and investigators believe the true number may be even higher. Arrest and Conviction
To avoid the death penalty, Ridgway agreed to cooperate with authorities, leading them to the remains of multiple missing victims in 2003 and 2004. Recent Developments (2023-2026) Green River Killer
In the late 1990s, advances in DNA technology allowed detectives to link forensic evidence from early crime scenes to Ridgway. He pleaded guilty to 48 murders in 2003
As of April 2026, Ridgway is serving 49 consecutive life sentences and is reportedly in poor health, with recent reports indicating he is receiving end-of-life care in prison. Case Overview Recent Developments (2023-2026) In the late 1990s, advances