Notorious American serial killer Gary Ridgway, known as the 'Green River Killer', is reportedly close to death while serving a life sentence in a Washington state prison. This claim comes from a former sheriff who helped secure his conviction, though state corrections officials have firmly denied the reports.
Conflicting Reports on Killer's Health
Former King County Sheriff Dave Reichert, who led the hunt for Ridgway for years, told local media he has heard the convicted murderer is 'close to death' and receiving end-of-life care. Reichert referenced a photo from about a year ago showing Ridgway in a wheelchair, looking very unwell. However, he admitted he had no concrete facts to substantiate the information.
In a swift rebuttal, the Washington State Department of Corrections labelled the reports as 'inaccurate rumours'. The department stated that while it cannot divulge detailed medical information, Gary Ridgway has experienced no change in his medical condition. They also confirmed he is ineligible for release to a hospice facility due to his life without parole sentence.
A Deal to Avoid Death and a Trail of Secrets
Gary Ridgway's reign of terror spanned the 1980s and 1990s in the Seattle area. He primarily targeted sex workers, runaways, and other vulnerable young women, claiming he 'hated' them and wanted to kill 'as many prostitutes as possible'. His youngest confirmed victim was just 14 years old.
After evading capture for nearly two decades, a DNA breakthrough in 2001 finally linked him to the crimes. Facing the death penalty, Ridgway struck a deal with prosecutors in 2003. He pleaded guilty to the murders of 49 women and girls in exchange for life imprisonment. As part of the agreement, he was required to cooperate with investigators and confess to any future cases linked to him in King County.
Despite his confession, authorities believe he took many secrets to his cell. Ridgway has boasted of killing as many as 80 people, leaving numerous cases unsolved. Dave Reichert branded him a 'pathological liar' and a 'psychopath', suggesting he withheld vast amounts of information during interrogations and will likely die with those secrets.
An Enduring Mystery
The speculation about Ridgway's health has reignited public discussion about one of America's most prolific serial killers. While the official line maintains his condition is stable, the former sheriff's comments have cast a new spotlight on the ageing murderer.
King County investigators continue to work on cold cases potentially linked to Ridgway, hoping to bring closure to more families. Regardless of his current health, Gary Ridgway remains incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary, where he is serving multiple life sentences for the horrific crimes that shocked the nation.
