Cold Case Files: The Green River Killer
Host: Paula Barros
Release Date: July 22, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Cold Case Files, Paula Barros delves deep into one of America's most harrowing and prolonged criminal investigations—the pursuit and eventual capture of the Green River Killer, Gary Leon Ridgeway. This detailed recounting spans over two decades, showcasing the relentless efforts of law enforcement, the evolution of forensic technology, and the profound impact on the community.

The Beginning of the Nightmare

Initial Discoveries and Formation of the Task Force

The saga begins on November 12, 2003, when a team of detectives in King County, Washington, is led by Gary Leon Ridgeway to search for the graves of murdered women along the Green River. Paula Pinson sets the stage:

Marissa Pinson [02:16]: "In this special edition of Cold Case Files, we are given exclusive access to the hunt for bodies as well as the investigation that resulted in the apprehension of America's worst serial killer."

Detective Dave Reichert recounts the grim reality:

Dave Reichert [01:02]: "Somewhere in our midst is a cold-blooded killer. It was all about his ability to hunt, his ability to capture, and his ability to kill."

As summer of 1982 unfolds, the first victims, prostitutes Wendy Caulfield and Deb Bonner, are found in the river, signaling the emergence of a serial killer.

Escalation and Community Fear

Mounting Victim Count and Public Outcry

Within a month, five women are discovered in and around the Green River, heightening community fear. Violence doesn't wane; instead, the killer's spree intensifies.

Dave Reichert [04:16]: "Probably about a week before she was murdered, I had showed her a picture of one of the girls in the paper. She was on the bank of the river. And I said, Opal, look at this. This is what can happen to you if you get out there hitchhiking."

Public frustration grows as the task force, comprising 25 detectives, struggles to find leads. Doubts emerge about the prioritization of victims—prostitutes and runaways.

Dave Reichert [13:18]: "I really felt like this job and what I was doing was beginning to affect me and affect my family."

A Cold Period and Renewed Efforts

Case Goes Cold and the Involvement of Bob Keppel

By 1984, with no substantial breakthroughs, the task force disbands. The case seems to fade into obscurity until Detective Bob Keppel introduces new investigative protocols.

Bob Keppel [09:26]: "With a lot of holes in, was marginal at best."

Keppel emphasizes that the killer likely didn't confine himself to the river, suggesting broader dumping grounds. This insight reinvigorates the investigation, leading to a fresh examination of unsolved cases.

Breakthroughs and Suspicion on Gary Ridgeway

Connecting the Dots

Detectives Randy Mullinax and Matt Haney uncover connections between victims and Gary Ridgeway, a local truck painter. Despite initial lack of evidence, photographic identification by victim Paige Miley points towards Ridgeway as a suspect.

Matt Haney [23:39]: "We could directly connect him with several victims and the deeper we look, the more the connections were being made."

In 1987, a search of Ridgeway's property fails to yield incriminating evidence, causing the investigation to stall once more.

The Turn of Forensic Technology

Advancements in DNA Analysis Lead to a Breakthrough

Fast forward to the early 2000s, Sheriff Dave Reichert remains determined to solve the case. Collaborating with DNA analyst Bev Himmick, they employ short tandem repeat (STR) DNA testing—a technique that had previously fallen short.

Bev Himmick [29:24]: "I harvested a genetic profile of the Green River Killer. It was really exciting."

The breakthrough comes when Ridgeway's DNA matches semen found at multiple crime scenes, solidifying his connection to the murders.

The Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Strategic Surveillance and Arrest

Despite the DNA evidence, Reichert opts for a cautious approach, assembling a team of advisors to build a comprehensive case. Surveillance reveals Ridgeway's continued interactions with prostitutes, leading to his arrest on November 30, 2001.

Dave Reichert [31:56]: "He walked over and they said, Mr. Ridgeway. He said, yes, you're under arrest for the murders of four women connected to the Green River case."

Trial and Guilty Plea

In 2003, Ridgeway pleads guilty to 48 counts of murder, providing closure to countless families.

Dave Reichert [42:09]: "How do you plead to the charge of aggravated murder in the first degree as charged in count one for the death of Wendy Lee Caulfield? Guilty."

During sentencing, Ridgeway shows little remorse, but the families express a range of emotions from anger to forgiveness.

Judge [44:25]: "The women you killed were not throwaways... You will face those young women in your dreams and private thoughts."

Ridgeway is sentenced to 48 consecutive life terms, ensuring he remains incarcerated for life.

Legacy and Reflections

Sheriff Dave Reichert's Enduring Commitment

Dave Reichert persists beyond the case, driven by his unwavering dedication to justice.

Dave Reichert [45:19]: "This summer Playa TV is exploding with thousands of free movies... Pluto TV Stream now pay Never."
(Note: This appears to be an advertisement and is omitted from the summary.)

His journey from lead investigator to Sheriff of King County underscores the profound personal and professional toll the case exacted.

Dave Reichert [27:28]: "This case was so big. It was like being in the, in the super bowl of homicide investigations. And I just lost."

Yet, his perseverance ultimately leads to the closure of one of the most notorious serial killer cases in American history.

Conclusion

The episode of Cold Case Files meticulously chronicles the harrowing investigation into the Green River Killer, highlighting the interplay of investigative tenacity, evolving forensic methods, and the persistent quest for justice. Sheriff Dave Reichert's relentless pursuit serves as a testament to the dedication required to solve such complex and emotionally charged cases.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Reichert [01:02]: "Somewhere in our midst is a cold blooded killer."
• Bob Keppel [09:26]: "They really didn't have a dedicated methodology to approaching pimps and prostitutes."
• Bev Himmick [29:24]: "We knew that we've got good potential here to get some information."
• Dave Reichert [31:56]: "He said, yes, you're under arrest for the murders of four women connected to the Green River case."
• Judge [44:25]: "You will face those young women in your dreams and private thoughts."

Acknowledgments:

Special thanks to all the detectives, forensic analysts, and families affected by the Green River Killer case. Their courage and resilience are the bedrock of this compelling narrative.