“Green River Killer Victim Identified: Deceased Girl Named Lori Anne Razpotnik Found in Auburn in 1985”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Law enforcement authorities have made a significant breakthrough in their investigation into the Green River Killer case, as they believe they have finally identified the remains of one of the killer’s unidentified victims. Gary Ridgway, also known as the Green River Killer, pleaded guilty in 2003 to 48 counts of aggravated murder for the serial killings of women between 1982 and 1998.

Through the use of forensic genetic genealogy testing, a DNA technology company has concluded that the remains of an unidentified victim found in Auburn in 1985, referred to as Bones 17, belong to a girl named Lori Anne Razpotnik. This discovery brings closure to a decades-long mystery surrounding the identity of this victim.

Lori Anne Razpotnik was just 15 years old in 1982 when she ran away from her family home in Lewis County. Sadly, her family never saw her again, and her disappearance remained a painful unanswered question for years.

The breakthrough in identifying Lori Anne’s remains came after employees from the City of Auburn discovered potential human remains on December 30, 1985. They were investigating a car that had gone over an embankment in the 2000 block of Mt. View Drive Southwest. The Green River Task Force, responsible for investigating the Green River Killer case, oversaw the subsequent search of the area, which led to the discovery of two sets of human remains, referred to as Bones 16 and Bones 17.

Forensic anthropologists examined the skeletal remains and determined that Bones 16 belonged to an African-American woman between the ages of 20 and 25. Her remains were found along a large fallen log. Approximately 40 to 50 feet away, Bones 17 was discovered lying at the foot of a rotten stump on the peak of a ridge. The forensic analysis revealed that she was a Caucasian female between the ages of 14 and 17.

Investigators also found the remains of another teenage victim, Kimi-Kai Pitsor, in close proximity to Bones 16 and Bones 17. Ridgway had admitted to killing Kimi-Kai prior to the two unidentified victims. When questioned about Bones 16 and Bones 17, Ridgway claimed he could not remember specific details about them, except that he believed he killed one before Kimi-Kai and one after her. Ridgway described the location where the victims’ remains were found as an ideal place to dispose of a body due to its excellent vantage point.

In 2002, Ridgway made a deal with investigators to reveal the locations of his victims’ graves. It was during this time that he led investigators to the location where Bones 16 and Bones 17 were found, confirming his involvement in their deaths. However, it took over a decade for law enforcement to successfully identify these two victims.

Sandra Majors was identified as Bones 16 in 2012 through DNA testing. In the case of Bones 17, law enforcement contracted with Parabon Nanolabs to conduct forensic genetic genealogy testing. This cutting-edge technology allowed them to develop a new DNA profile for the victim. King County detectives reached out to Lori Anne Razpotnik’s mother, who provided a saliva sample for comparison. The University of North Texas confirmed the victim’s identity as Lori Anne through DNA testing.

Lori Anne’s murder has now officially been included as one of Ridgway’s 48 aggravated murder counts for which he was sentenced in 2003. In addition, Ridgway has been serving 49 consecutive life sentences in the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. An additional 49th count was added and sentenced against Ridgway in 2011, further ensuring that he will never be released from custody.

The identification of Lori Anne Razpotnik brings some closure to her family and the ongoing investigation into the Green River Killer case. It highlights the power of forensic science and the tireless efforts of law enforcement to bring justice to the victims and their loved ones..