Predator of the Pacific Northwest: Gary Ridgway "The Green River Killer"

One of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history, Gary Ridgway, preyed on sex workers and teenage runaways in Washington state. He is believed to have killed more than 50 people

Depiction of Gary Ridgway

Childhood

On February 18th, 1949, Mary and Thomas Ridgway of Salt Lake City, Utah, welcomed their second son, Gary Leon Ridgway. The couple had a somewhat volatile marriage, often arguing violently in front of their three sons.

As a young child, Gary had habitual problems with bed-wetting, which continued until his early teens. His mother responded to his bed-wetting issue by forcefully washing his genitals whenever it occurred.