Murder Ballads: Deep Red Bells
For nearly two decades, young women and teenage girls disappeared from the Seattle area while one of the largest serial murder investigations in American history struggled to identify the killer responsible. In this episode, we examine the case of Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer, from the discovery of the first victims in 1982 to the forensic breakthroughs that finally exposed him years later.
We break down Ridgway’s background, victim selection, methods, and the disturbing ways he blended into ordinary life while continuing to kill. We also explore the investigation itself, Ted Bundy’s involvement with detectives, the psychology of control and vulnerability, and the plea deal that allowed Ridgway to avoid the death penalty in exchange for revealing the locations of victims. This is the factual story behind one of the deadliest serial killers in U.S. history.
