The Green River Killer: Part 2 — How the Hell Was He Free This Long?

Trigger Warning: This episode contains an Olympic-level amount of “fucks.” They fly freely, passionately, and with purpose. If you’re keeping a tally, good luck—Courtney lost count 20 minutes in, and Lauren gave up somewhere around the 37th “fuck” when the rage hit full tilt.

In the shocking conclusion of our two-part Green River Killer deep dive, we pick up where we left off—continuing through the final list of Gary Ridgway’s 49 confirmed victims. As we read their names and stories, we’re hit—again and again—with the staggering reality of just how many women were lost and how tragically preventable many of these murders could have been.

This episode was a ride to record—technical chaos, emotional exhaustion, and a level of frustration that could melt microphones. We vent (loudly) about the complete lack of urgency from law enforcement at the time, despite consistent patterns, known dumping grounds, and a clear MO that practically screamed “Hey, it’s the same damn guy!” The level of systemic failure in this case is nothing short of infuriating.

We then dive into Ridgway’s long-overdue arrest, confession, and sentencing, unpacking how this self-proclaimed “family man” evaded justice for decades while living a double life as one of the most prolific murderers in U.S. history. And make no mistake—we do not hold back. We say it plain and simple: Gary Leon Ridgway does not deserve to breathe the same air as anyone else. He doesn’t deserve three hots and a cot on the taxpayer’s dime. He deserves exactly what he gave—emptiness, isolation, and the dark silence he forced upon his victims.

By the end of this episode, we’re left completely flabbergasted, emotionally drained, and overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the horror this man unleashed. It’s a tough one—but one that demands to be told, remembered, and felt.

Stay Spooky & Saged (and maybe pour yourself something strong for this one).