Gary Ridgway, infamously known as the “Green River Killer,” is reportedly receiving end-of-life care at a prison in Washington state. Ridgway, who has admitted to killing up to 80 individuals, has been incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla since his 2003 guilty plea for the murder of 49 women.

According to reports from five unnamed sources familiar with Ridgway’s health, his condition is deteriorating, although no specific details were disclosed. These sources shared their insights with KIRO, raising concerns about the 76-year-old serial killer’s well-being.

However, the Washington Department of Corrections has refuted these claims, stating there has been no change in Ridgway’s medical status. Rachel Ericson, the deputy communications director for the agency, addressed the rumors, saying, “These are inaccurate rumors. While we are not able to provide much detail about incarcerated individuals’ medical information, we are able to confirm that Gary Ridgway has not had any change to his medical condition.”

Ridgway, who terrorized the Seattle area in the 1980s and 1990s by targeting young sex workers and runaways, has previously confessed to KIRO in 2013 that his actual number of victims could be between 75 and 80. Many of the victims’ bodies were later found in wooded areas of King County.

Despite pleading guilty to 49 women, Ridgway told KIRO in 2013 that he had between 75 and 80 victims. In the 1980’s and 90’s Ridgway targeted young sex workers and runaways in the Seattle area. Their bodies were later discovered in wooded areas in King County.

To be spared the death penalty, Ridgway had to tell investigators where his victims’ bodies were.

“My first kills, I didn’t know they were dead. 1982 was when I said I started killing. That’s when I knew 100% I killed. But I had several of them before that because I didn’t think they were dead,” he told KIRO — revealing that several of his kills happened are not on the “Green River list” because they occurred before 1982.

Court documents detailed how, in September 2024, Ridgway was released to help investigators locate more of his victims. The multi-day search turned up no new remains. A source told KIRO that there were inconsistencies in Ridgway’s claims, sparking speculation that it was his last-ditch effort to manipulate law enforcement.

“Some investigators believe he was making up new locations entirely as a sick boast,” the source commented.

This story is developing…

[Feature Photo: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson]