Gary Ridgway, also known as the Green River Killer, is an American serial killer. He was initially convicted of 48 separate murders. As part of his plea bargain, an additional conviction was added, bringing the total number of convictions to 49, making him the most prolific serial killer in United States history according to confirmed murders. He killed numerous women and girls in the state of Washington during the 1980s and 1990s. Ridgway is believed to have murdered at least 71 women near Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. In court statements, he later reported that he had killed so many that he lost count. A majority of the murders occurred between 1982 and 1984. The victims were believed to be either prostitutes or runaways picked up along Pacific Highway South, whom he strangled. Most of their bodies were dumped in wooded areas around the Green River, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and other "dump sites" within South King County. There were also two confirmed and another two suspected victims found in the Portland, Oregon area.

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