Identification of Victim of Green River Killer Gary Ridgway

Young Woman’s Body Identified After 40 Years

Byline: Portland News Team

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The body of a young woman who fell victim to notorious serial killer Gary Ridgway, also known as the Green River Killer, in the early 1980s has finally been identified through DNA testing after four decades, according to an announcement made by the King County Sheriff’s Office on December 19th.

The victim, who was discovered near the Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn, Wash. in 1985, has now been identified as Lori Anne Razpotnik from Lewis County. Razpotnik went missing in 1982 at the age of 15 after running away from home.

Razpotnik’s remains, labeled as “Bones 16” and “Bones 17,” were found on December 30th, 1985 when City of Auburn employees responded to a car accident near the cemetery. During the search of the surrounding area, officials stumbled upon unidentified human remains.

Ridgway, also known as the Green River Killer, admitted to dumping the bodies of the young women in the same ravine during the investigation in 2002. In 2003, Ridgway pleaded guilty to the murders of 48 women, but was unable or unwilling to provide their identities.

In 2012, DNA testing successfully identified “Bones 16” as Sandra Majors, a 20-year-old victim. To identify “Bones 17,” King County detectives worked with the Virginia-based company, Parabon NanoLabs, Inc., to obtain a DNA sample. Additionally, detectives collected a saliva sample from Razpotnik’s mother and requested the University of North Texas to perform a DNA comparison. The results confirmed that “Bones 17” belonged to Razpotnik.

“Thanks to advancements in DNA technology, a new DNA profile was developed, initiating the forensic genetic genealogy process,” stated the King County Sheriff’s Office. “After extensive research, the victim was conclusively identified as Lori Anne Razpotnik.”

It is worth mentioning that Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer, holds the title for one of the most prolific serial killers in the history of the United States. Between 1982 and 1984, Ridgway was linked to the disappearances and deaths of at least 48 women in the Pacific Northwest region. The FBI became involved in the case when two victims were found near Portland in the summer of 1985.

Ridgway’s reign of terror came to an end in 2001 when his DNA was linked to one of his victims. Subsequently, in 2003, he pleaded guilty to the murders of the 48 women and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.