Gary Ridgway, who is more commonly known as the Green River Killer, killed at least 48 women in and around Seattle and Tacoma, Washington, in the 1980s and 1990s. As reported by Crime Museum, the majority of Ridgway’s victims were sex workers who were found strangled to death. Often, their bodies were stripped naked, posed, and left to rot along the banks of Washington’s Green River.

In 1982, Ridgway was arrested for hiring a sex worker. While in custody, authorities suspected he may be involved in the Green River murders. But after vehemently denying the allegations and passing a polygraph test, Ridgway was released.

Despite their decision to release the suspect, authorities were not entirely convinced of Ridgway’s innocence. Before his release, they collected samples of his hair and saliva, which were later compared to samples collected from the Green River Killer’s victims. Although it took nearly 20 years, Ridgway was arrested and charged with murder on November 30, 2001. As reported by Crime Museum, Ridgway way was ultimately charged with 48 murders and sentenced to 48 consecutive life terms per the conditions of a plea agreement.

At the time of his arrest, Ridgway had been married to his third wife, Judith Mawson, for 13 years. In an interview with Daily Mail, Mawson said she had absolutely no idea her “perfect husband” was capable of murder. Although she ultimately divorced him, she said she “absolutely adored him” prior to his arrest and conviction.

Mawson was forced to admit she married a serial killer

Getty Images/Getty Images