The Riverman: Ted Bundy and I Hunt for the Green River Killer

by Robert Keppel; William J. Birnes; Ann Rule

  During the surveillance, Ridgway usually drove well below the legal speed limit, and while driving he was very attentive to the activities of the area. On numerous occasions, while driving on Pacific Highway South, Ridgway would suddenly turn off the road, use a side street to turn around, and then begin driving in the opposite direction on Pacific Highway South for no apparent reason. It was obvious that he was also very familiar with the side roads in this area.

  On October 17, 2001, detectives briefly surveilled Ridgway’s travel from his job at Kenworth Trucking in downtown Renton to his home in Auburn. Instead of taking the most direct and quickest route, I-5, Ridgway drove on Pacific Highway South from Sea-Tac to Auburn. Again, he traveled below the speed limit and was distracted by a lone woman on the street, who appeared to officers to be working as a prostitute.

  On October 23, 2001, detectives again briefly surveilled Ridgway on his way home after his workday ended at three P.M. and again observed him taking Pacific Highway South from Sea-Tac to Auburn. On both days, he first dropped by his mother’s home in Sea-Tac for several minutes before continuing his trip. During his trip after he left his mother’s house, Ridgway made two unexplainable U-turns in the middle of the highway. His speeds again varied from slow to fast, as if he were seeking something.

  On November 28, 2001, detectives began another surveillance of Ridgway. Ridgway left his home at about 4:20 A.M. and once again went out of his way to take an indirect route to work that took him to Pacific Highway South. A commute that should have taken approximately twenty minutes, given the time of day, ended up taking almost an hour due to Ridgway’s circuitous route.

  Ridgway drove from Military Road to South 320th, then headed north on Pacific Highway South. Ridgway’s driving was consistent until he passed an individual on the side of the road at about Pacific Highway South and South 150th. He then turned into a business parking lot and began making U-turns in parking lots and at intersections, which enabled him to look closer at the individual on the street. Ridgway then continued on Pacific Highway South and turned onto Martin Luther King Way and traveled to South Henderson, then Rainier Avenue to Airport Way. About a quarter-mile onto Airport Way, Ridgway took a hard right and went behind some businesses for no apparent reason, then reappeared and went to his job, where he arrived early and sat in the parking lot for forty-five minutes.

  Police Contacts with Gary Ridgway

  It has been documented that Gary Ridgway was contacted on at least two occasions by the Port of Seattle Police during 1982 and 1983. The first contact was at 1:14 A.M. on August 29, 1982, while Ridgway was in his 1975 Dodge pickup, Washington license PR-5996, at South 192nd and the old Alaskan Airlines maintenance building. To illustrate the importance of this contact, it was made at the end of a dead-end street within a hundred feet of where victims Naon and Ware were later discovered, but prior to their disappearances. Victim Mary Meehan’s remains were also recovered from this same street, but closer to Highway 99. The time and date of this contact is also significant because it occurred during the early Sunday morning hours following the Saturday noon (August 28, 1982) disappearance of Green River missing person Kase Lee. Also, victim Terry Milligan went missing from 144th and Pacific Highway South on August 29, 1982. Milligan’s body was discovered on April 1, 1984, in the Star Lake area.

  Ridgway’s second contact involved his February 23, 1983, date with Green River missing person Keli McGinness. As documented, McGinness and Ridgway were contacted at South 140th and 22nd South in Ridgway’s 1975 Dodge pickup, Washington license PR5996.

  On November 16, 2001, Ridgway was arrested by a King County Sheriff’s Department undercover officer working as a prostitute decoy on Pacific Highway South at the 16500 block. The decoy was approached by Ridgway in front of Motel 6. Ridgway waved money at her through the window. He then pulled his red Ford Ranger pickup (Washington license 75935Y) into the parking lot and walked to the bed of his truck. Ridgway asked the decoy if she was dating. The decoy said she was interested and he told her he thought a cop was watching her from the cemetery lot up the street. Ridgway told the decoy he would meet her down the road at the bank. She said she would meet him and gave the arrest signal to the police. Ridgway was stopped en route to the bank at the 16200 block of Pacific Highway South in Sea-Tac and arrested. He was searched and found to have thirty dollars cash and latex gloves in his possession. Ridgway was booked into the King County jail for “loitering.”

  Police Summary of the Gary Ridgway Investigation

  Green River Task Force detectives have conducted an intensive background investigation on Gary Leon Ridgway. This included Ridgway’s daily work records for the years 1982, 1983, and 1984, and gas credit-card and bank records for this same period of time, as well as interviews of friends and associates. Ridgway was employed almost full-time during this time period and used his gas credit cards frequently. Even though the time of day and days of the week of most victim and missing disappearances have varied greatly, there are twenty-seven dates that have been pinpointed with relative certainty. Extensive review of documents obtained by subpoena of known accounts of Ridgway, including bank and charge records, work records, phone records, and interviews with former girlfriends contain information that shows he is available as a suspect on these known dates. It is also known that Ridgway lived at 21859 32nd Place, South Kent, Washington, from January 1982 to August 1989. This address is approximately six blocks from the corner of South 216th and Pacific Highway South, the location from where several Green River victims and missing have disappeared. Two victims (Bonner, Mathews) and one missing (Malvar) were last observed leaving or in the area of South 216th and Pacific Highway South.

  From information gained in interviews with ex-wives Marcia Winslow and Claudia Barrows, and ex-girlfriend Girlfriend A, Ridgway liked to engage in sex in the outdoors. They also placed Ridgway at, or near, the following multiple-victim dump sites: Sea-Tac Airport, Highway 410, Star Lake Road, North Bend, the junction of Highway 18 and I-90, Seward Park, and the banks of the Green River. According to these witnesses, they engaged in sex with Ridgway at most of these locations and, of particular interest, Marcia Winslow states that she and Ridgway had sex numerous times in the tall grass on the banks of the Green River next to P. D. & J. Meats. This is the same location where the first five Green River victims were found.

  In the interview of Gary Ridgway by Detective Randy Mullinax, Ridgway states his 1975 maroon Dodge pickup was broken down in the months of March, April, or May of 1983, while he put a V-8 engine in it. Ridgway stated he rode the bus and also borrowed his father’s pickup during this time period. Task Force detectives have learned from interviewing Girlfriend C, who was Gary Ridgway’s girlfriend during 1982, 1983, and the early part of 1984, that he also borrowed his brother’s 1970 aqua colored Dodge pickup, Washington license A48731. The only sightings associating Green River victims with blue or green pickups occurred during March or April of 1983. The following victims were last seen in blue or green pickup trucks:

  Alma Smith, the first victim during this time period, was last seen on March 3, 1983, at about nine P.M. in front of the Red Lion Hotel on Pacific Highway South by Cynthia Ornelas. Ornelas picked Ridgway’s photograph from a photomontage as looking like the suspicious man, wearing blue jeans and a jeans jacket, who she believes was involved in Smith’s disappearance and who questioned her that same night about Smith immediately following her disappearance.

  Gail Mathews is the second victim during this time period, who was last seen on April 10, 1983, in an aqua or blue-green colored pickup that had a white canopy on it and numerous primer spots on the passenger side. The driver was described as a white male, 25-35 years of age, with curly light brown hair, wearing a flannel shirt. They were last seen going eastbound on South 216th and Pacific Highway South, which is a few blocks from Ridgway’s residence.

  Kimi-Kai Pitsor is the third victim during this period, who was last seen by her boyfriend, Stephen Smith, on April 17, 1983, in
downtown Seattle. Smith believes Pitsor disappeared in a 1974 to 1976 dark pickup, possibly a Ford, with a primer spot on the passenger side. The pickup had a white canopy on it. The driver is described as a white male in his mid-20s, dark hair, with a 2″ tattoo on his right arm, and wearing a white T-shirt. Smith tentatively identified Ridgway from a photomontage as being the driver of this vehicle, though he could not be positive.

  David Ralph, a neighbor of Carol Ann Christensen, who disappeared on May 3, 1983, reported that he saw a blue pickup with a white canopy at her residence before her disappearance.

  Information obtained by the Green River Murders Task Force detectives indicates that Gary Ridgway’s brother, Thomas E. Ridgway, owned a 1970 Dodge pickup, which was aqua colored and had a white canopy. It should also be noted that the clothing, and basic physical descriptions of the three male subjects observed with the three above-named Green River victims, seen in the blue or green colored pickup trucks, are similar to the description of Gary Ridgway.

  During the interview of Gary Ridgway by Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agents O’Neill and Askeland, Ridgway stated that to him, “prostitutes are like alcohol is to an alcoholic.” Ridgway went on to say that he no longer dates the prostitutes, only stops and talks to them.

  During an interview with Girlfriend B, task force detectives learned on December 24, 1981, at approximately 11:30 P.M., Gary Ridgway entered the White Shutters Restaurant where Girlfriend B was and sat down next to her. He immediately blurted out to Girlfriend B he had almost killed someone. This shocked Girlfriend B and she asked Ridgway what he was talking about and he stated he had picked up a woman, or prostitute, and he couldn’t believe he’d almost killed her. Girlfriend B was given the impression Ridgway was referring to a prostitute. This woman has never been identified.

  On November 9, 1982, Ridgway contacted Rebecca Garde Guay on Pacific Highway South and arranged for oral sex for $20. Ridgway then took Guay to the location of South 204th and 22nd Avenue South and walked into the woods with Guay. While Guay proceeded to perform the sex act, Ridgway suddenly began choking her violently, claiming that she had bitten him. A very violent struggle ensued from which Guay was able to break free and run to a nearby trailer occupied by an older couple. She did not immediately report this incident to the police because she was fearful that her family would find out that she was working as a prostitute. When later interviewed, Ridgway admitted to this incident but could not give an explanation as to why he choked her for so long and continued to choke her until she was able to break free from him. There was no doubt in Guay’s mind that Ridgway was attempting to kill her. This location is only a few blocks away from where several Green River victims were found.

  On April 8, 1987, a judicially-authorized search warrant was served in King County on the following locations by Task Force members:

  21859 32nd Place, South Kent, Washington. (Residence of Gary Ridgway)

  1977 Ford pickup, Washington license PZ9609. (Registered to Gary Ridgway)

  1969 Dodge Dart, Washington license OLF212. (Registered to Gary Ridgway)

  1970 Dodge pickup, Washington license A48731. (Registered to Thomas E. Ridgway)

  A personal locker at Kenworth Trucking Company, located at 8801 East Marginal Way South, Seattle, Washington. (Gary Ridgway’s work locker)

  Control samples of hair and saliva from Gary Ridgway.

  Various evidence items were removed from Ridgway’s residence and the above-listed vehicles such as carpet fibers, ropes, paint samples, and plastic tarps. These items and various other items were submitted to the Washington State Crime laboratory with negative results as far as linking Ridgway to a particular scene or victim. Pursuant to the warrant, a saliva sample and hair samples were obtained from Ridgway on April 8, 1987.

  DNA evidence is as follows:

  Opal Mills was found in the brush near the Green River on August 15, 1982. The King County Medical Examiner’s office collected a “sexual assault kit” from her person during the autopsy.

  In March of 1988, vaginal swabbing and the vaginal wash from Opal Mills were sent to Lifecodes Corporation, a forensic laboratory in New York. Lifecodes reported that “an insufficient amount of high molecular weight human DNA” made DNA typing impossible with the technology available at that time.

  In October 2001, the same samples collected from Opal Mills, which had been sent to Lifecodes thirteen years earlier, were subjected to a more sensitive DNA typing technique (PCR amplification of STR loci) by the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory (WSPCL). In preliminary findings, forensic scientists at the WSPCL reported that vaginal swabs from Mills contained a mixed DNA profile, and Ridgway cannot be eliminated as one of the sources of that DNA.

  Marcia Chapman was also discovered in the Green River on August 15, 1982. During autopsy, a “sexual assault kit” was also collected from her and preserved. In October of 2001, these samples were subjected to a sensitive DNA typing technique (PCR amplification of STR loci) by the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory. In preliminary findings forensic scientists at the WSPCL report that Chapman’s vaginal swab contains a partial male DNA profile. This partial profile is consistent with coming from Ridgway.

  Carol Christensen was found on May 8, 1983, in the Maple Valley area. Samples were collected from her person as well as for future laboratory analysis.

  In March of 1988, vaginal swabbing and the vaginal wash from Carol Christensen were sent to Lifecodes Corporation, a forensic laboratory in New York. Lifecodes reported that an “insufficient amount of high molecular weight human DNA” made DNA typing impossible with the technology available at that time.

  In October 2001, a vaginal swabbing from Christensen was subjected to sensitive DNA typing (PCR amplification of STR loci) at the WSPCL. Forensic scientist Jean C. Johnston of the crime laboratory concluded that the DNA obtained from the sperm fraction of the vaginal swab sample is from a single male contributor. The profile was compared to Gary L. Ridgway and two other males of interest in the case. A match was declared at all 13 DNA loci between the sperm fraction sample and that of Ridgway. It can be estimated that not more than one individual, excluding identical twins, in the world’s population would exhibit this DNA profile

  Present Information on Gary Ridgway

  On October 10, 2001, Quest security verified that Ridgway has a home telephone number, which phone number has been deleted for the purposes of this writing.

  On October 10, 2001, it was verified that the following vehicles are currently registered to Ridgway: a 1992 Ford Ranger pickup, Washington license 75935Y; a 1992 Mercury Sable, Washington license 721EXO; and a 1992 Flair Motorhome, Washington license 131EKO.

  In October 2001, through surveillance, Ridgway has been seen driving his 1992 Ford Ranger pickup with canopy. His truck has been seen at his home residence located at 4633 South 348th in Auburn and at his mother’s residence located at 4404 South 175th in Sea-Tac. It is verified, also, that Ridgway is still employed at Kenworth Trucking Company, located at 745 Houser Way North in Renton. According to the company’s Human Resources Department, his locker at the business is #1568 and has his name on the outside.

  It is further verified through King County Assessor’s records that Ridgway has owned three residences in King County from 1982 to the present.

  From August 1997 to the present: 4633 South 348th Street, Auburn, Washington.

  From September 1989 to November 1997: 2139 South 253rd Street, Des Moines, Washington.

  From January 1982 to August 1989: 21859 32nd Place South, Sea-Tac, Washington.

  Ridgway is still active on Pacific Highway South. He was recently arrested on November 16, 2001, for Loitering for the Purposes of Prostitution.

  It has been learned that Ridgway has had a safe deposit box (#0633305-0001-00110-89207) at Bank of America (for merly SeaFirst) at the branch located at 16640 International Boulavard, Sea-Tac, Washington, since 1985.

  DNA evidence links Ridgway to the murders of Mills, Ch
ristensen, and Chapman. In addition, strong circumstantial evidence links him to the murder of Cynthia Hinds, whose body was discovered in the Green River on the same day and within feet of Chapman. Like Chapman, a rock was found in her vagina at autopsy.

  Since the murders of Chapman, Hinds, Mills, and Christensen, the bodies or skeletal remains of approximately 44 murdered women have been discovered in King County. Virtually all of these victims had histories of prostitution or life on the streets. It appears that many of them were victims of strangulation, with a few of them displaying evidence of other causes of death, including blunt-force trauma. Despite extensive investigations, all of these cases remain unsolved.

  Detective Sue Peters wrote:

  In your affiant’s opinion, it is highly likely that as this investigation continues and Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory continues to employ extremely sensitive DNA typing techniques to these cases, Ridgway will be linked to other “Green River” victims and to more recent unsolved murders of women in King County and elsewhere. Many prostitute murders remain unsolved in Snohomish County, Pierce County, and Portland, Oregon. Prostitutes have disappeared in those jurisdictions as well as in Vancouver, B.C.

  Your affiant believes Gary L. Ridgway is responsible for the murders of Marcia F. Chapman, Cynthia J. Hinds, Opal C. Mills, and Carol A. Christensen. Based on your affiant’s training, experience, and research of serial killers, it is known that “serial killers” often remove evidence items from the scene. These items include souvenirs and trophies, such as jewelry or an article of clothing that the killer keeps and uses as a way to regain the thrill of the initial kill. Chapman, Hinds, and Mills were each missing articles of clothing. Hinds was also missing a gold chain with a heart shaped necklace, and Christensen was missing a white gold wedding band.