Morbid

In eighteenth and nineteenth century England, two phantom stalkers terrorized the public and captured the collective imagination to the point of violence. However, violent outcomes and legal consequences notwithstanding, neither phantom was ever anything more than a figment of people’s imaginations.

References

Associated Press. 1938. "Roving bands, armed with clubs, hunt Halifax Slasher." Sheboygan Press, November 29: 1.

Daily Echo. 1938. "Halifax 'Slasher' a myth." Daily Echo, December 2: 14.

Daily Record. 1938. "Maniac slasher terrorises women." Daily Record, November 28: 1.

—. 1938. "Police say there is no slasher." Daily Record, December 2: 1.

Daily Telegraph. 1938. "Man slashed in street." Daily Telegraph (London, UK), November 25: 16.

Dorset Echo. 1938. "Slasher strikes for the 11th time." Dorset Echo, November 28: 1.

Feikert-Ahalt, Clare. 2015. The Case of a Ghost Haunted England for Over Two Hundred Years. October 30. Accessed July 1, 2026. https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2015/10/the-case-of-a-ghost-haunted-england-for-over-two-hundred-years/.

Herald Express. 1938. "Halifax 'Slasher' strikes again." Herald Express, November 28: 1.

Kirby, R.S. 1804. Kirby's Wonderful and Scientific Museum: or Magazine of Remarkable Characters. London, UK: Lond House Yard.

McArdle, Helen. 2022. "Panic around needle spiking amounts to psychogenic illness." The Herald, December 10: 20.

Mitchell, Edwin Valentine. 1926. "Francis Smith: Condemned to death for the murder of a supposed ghost." In The Newgate calendar: Comprising interesting memoirs of the most notorious characters who have been convicted of outrages on the laws of England, by Edwin Valentine Mitchell. Garden City, NY: Garden City Publishing Company.

South Wales Evening Post. 1938. "Halifax still fears 'The Slasher'." South Wales Evening Post, December 1: 1.

Telegraph and Argus. 1927. "Dresses slashed with razor." Telegraph and Argus, February 16: 7.

The Guardian. 1938. "Girl on mischief charge." The Guardian, December 14: 3.

Western Mail. 1938. "Silent attacker alarms town; police reward offer." Western Mail, November 26: 7.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the summer of 1982, it became obvious that a serial killer was operating in the Tacoma area and dumping his victims in the waters of the Green River. In time, The Green River Killer, as the press soon dubbed him, would claim a staggering number of victims to become the most prolific serial killer in American history, a title he would hold until relatively recently.

References

Associated Press. 1985. "Bones found near Portland were from woman on Green River list."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), June 15: 1.

—. 1985. "Green River case is tough, but not impossible: expert."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), September 18: 13.

—. 1984. "Woman is identified as 27th Green River victim."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), October 16: 21.

—. 1986. "Green River: 35th victim is identified."Daily Herald (Evertt, WA), May 5: 6.

—. 1985. "County welcomes FBI help in Green River case."Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), September 13: 23.

—. 2001. "Green River suspect arrested ."Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), December 1: 1.

—. 1985. "Detectives doubt Green River killer has moved to Portland."Longview Daily News (Longview, WA), Janaury 1: 9.

—. 1989. "Green River tas force could fold within a year."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), December 9: 16.

—. 1983. "'Green River Killer' may have slain 19 women."Spokane Chronicle, November 12: 1.

CNN. 2003..December 19. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/18/green.river.sentencing/.

—. 2003.Green River Killer Gary Ridgway's statement to the court.November 5. Accessed June 17, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/05/ridgway.statement/index.html.

Cronin, Teresa. 1982. "Prostitution problem waning."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 15: A4.

—. 1984. "Slain daughter should be alive, her mother says."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 1: 37.

Daily Herald. 1990. "Green River case stuck, sheriff says."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), July 21: 11.

Dardarian, Suki. 1982. "Slayings of five women linked, police believe."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), August 16: 2.

Gildenhar, Jan. 1983. "As the death toll rises, police seek new leads."News Tribune (Spokan, WA), November 6: 14.

Gillespie, Elizabeth. 2005. "Hiker finds skull of Green River killer victim."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 23: 13.

Gutman, David. 2024. "DNA testing, onbituary helped identify victim of Green River killer."Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), January 7: 5.

Harden, Mark. 1985. "With no new murders in a year, Green River trail grows cold."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), January 6: 31.

Ho, Vanessa, Hector Castro, and Tracy Johnson. 2001.A father led police to Ridgway in 1983.December 6. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/a-father-led-police-to-ridgway-in-1983-1073920.php.

Hunter, Steve. 2024.Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students.April 25. Accessed June 10, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/.

—. 2024.Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students.April 25. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/.

Johnson, Gene. 2003. "Everett father's words draw tears."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), December 19: 1.

McCarthy, Terry, and Nathan Thronburgh. 2002. "River of death."Time, June 3.

News Tribune. 1983. "A killer is loose, does anyone care?"News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 9: 22.

—. 1982. "Local prostitute among dead."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), August 17: 1.

—. 1982. "Police have Green River killer's mental profile."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), September 21: 4.

Rule, Ann. 2005.Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer--America's Deadliest Serial Murderer.New York, NY: Pocket Books.

Smith, Carlton, and Thomas Guillen. 1991.The Search for the Green River Killer.New York, NY: Onyx.

State of Washington v Gary Leon Ridgway.2001. 01-01-10270-9 SEA (Superior Court of Washington for King County).

Sullivan, Jennifer. 2012. "Another Green River victim ID'd."Longview Daily News, June 20: 3.

Suttle, Gestin. 1993. "Skull found near Auburn identified as Bellevue woman, 19."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), February 5: 20.

Walter, Jess. 1990. "Possible suspects listed in killings."Spokane Chronicle, June 22: 3.

Wilson, Duff. 2003.Profiler can't recall why he said letter wasn't from Green River killer.November 26. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031126/greenriver26m/profiler-cant-recall-why-he-said-letter-wasnt-from-green-river-killer.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the summer of 1982, it became obvious that a serial killer was operating in the Tacoma area and dumping his victims in the waters of the Green River. In time, The Green River Killer, as the press soon dubbed him, would claim a staggering number of victims to become the most prolific serial killer in American history, a title he would hold until relatively recently.

References

Associated Press. 1985. "Bones found near Portland were from woman on Green River list."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), June 15: 1.

—. 1985. "Green River case is tough, but not impossible: expert."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), September 18: 13.

—. 1984. "Woman is identified as 27th Green River victim."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), October 16: 21.

—. 1986. "Green River: 35th victim is identified."Daily Herald (Evertt, WA), May 5: 6.

—. 1985. "County welcomes FBI help in Green River case."Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), September 13: 23.

—. 2001. "Green River suspect arrested ."Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), December 1: 1.

—. 1985. "Detectives doubt Green River killer has moved to Portland."Longview Daily News (Longview, WA), Janaury 1: 9.

—. 1989. "Green River tas force could fold within a year."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), December 9: 16.

—. 1983. "'Green River Killer' may have slain 19 women."Spokane Chronicle, November 12: 1.

CNN. 2003..December 19. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/18/green.river.sentencing/.

—. 2003.Green River Killer Gary Ridgway's statement to the court.November 5. Accessed June 17, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/05/ridgway.statement/index.html.

Cronin, Teresa. 1982. "Prostitution problem waning."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 15: A4.

—. 1984. "Slain daughter should be alive, her mother says."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 1: 37.

Daily Herald. 1990. "Green River case stuck, sheriff says."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), July 21: 11.

Dardarian, Suki. 1982. "Slayings of five women linked, police believe."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), August 16: 2.

Gildenhar, Jan. 1983. "As the death toll rises, police seek new leads."News Tribune (Spokan, WA), November 6: 14.

Gillespie, Elizabeth. 2005. "Hiker finds skull of Green River killer victim."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 23: 13.

Gutman, David. 2024. "DNA testing, onbituary helped identify victim of Green River killer."Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), January 7: 5.

Harden, Mark. 1985. "With no new murders in a year, Green River trail grows cold."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), January 6: 31.

Ho, Vanessa, Hector Castro, and Tracy Johnson. 2001.A father led police to Ridgway in 1983.December 6. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/a-father-led-police-to-ridgway-in-1983-1073920.php.

Hunter, Steve. 2024.Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students.April 25. Accessed June 10, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/.

—. 2024.Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students.April 25. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/.

Johnson, Gene. 2003. "Everett father's words draw tears."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), December 19: 1.

McCarthy, Terry, and Nathan Thronburgh. 2002. "River of death."Time, June 3.

News Tribune. 1983. "A killer is loose, does anyone care?"News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 9: 22.

—. 1982. "Local prostitute among dead."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), August 17: 1.

—. 1982. "Police have Green River killer's mental profile."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), September 21: 4.

Rule, Ann. 2005.Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer--America's Deadliest Serial Murderer.New York, NY: Pocket Books.

Smith, Carlton, and Thomas Guillen. 1991.The Search for the Green River Killer.New York, NY: Onyx.

State of Washington v Gary Leon Ridgway.2001. 01-01-10270-9 SEA (Superior Court of Washington for King County).

Sullivan, Jennifer. 2012. "Another Green River victim ID'd."Longview Daily News, June 20: 3.

Suttle, Gestin. 1993. "Skull found near Auburn identified as Bellevue woman, 19."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), February 5: 20.

Walter, Jess. 1990. "Possible suspects listed in killings."Spokane Chronicle, June 22: 3.

Wilson, Duff. 2003.Profiler can't recall why he said letter wasn't from Green River killer.November 26. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031126/greenriver26m/profiler-cant-recall-why-he-said-letter-wasnt-from-green-river-killer.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the summer of 1982, it became obvious that a serial killer was operating in the Tacoma area and dumping his victims in the waters of the Green River. In time, The Green River Killer, as the press soon dubbed him, would claim a staggering number of victims to become the most prolific serial killer in American history, a title he would hold until relatively recently.

References

Associated Press. 1985. "Bones found near Portland were from woman on Green River list." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), June 15: 1.

—. 1985. "Green River case is tough, but not impossible: expert." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), September 18: 13.

—. 1984. "Woman is identified as 27th Green River victim." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), October 16: 21.

—. 1986. "Green River: 35th victim is identified." Daily Herald (Evertt, WA), May 5: 6.

—. 1985. "County welcomes FBI help in Green River case." Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), September 13: 23.

—. 2001. "Green River suspect arrested ." Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), December 1: 1.

—. 1985. "Detectives doubt Green River killer has moved to Portland." Longview Daily News (Longview, WA), Janaury 1: 9.

—. 1989. "Green River tas force could fold within a year." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), December 9: 16.

—. 1983. "'Green River Killer' may have slain 19 women." Spokane Chronicle, November 12: 1.

CNN. 2003. . December 19. Accessed June 19, 2026.https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/18/green.river.sentencing/.

—. 2003. Green River Killer Gary Ridgway's statement to the court. November 5. Accessed June 17, 2026.https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/05/ridgway.statement/index.html.

Cronin, Teresa. 1982. "Prostitution problem waning." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 15: A4.

—. 1984. "Slain daughter should be alive, her mother says." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 1: 37.

Daily Herald. 1990. "Green River case stuck, sheriff says." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), July 21: 11.

Dardarian, Suki. 1982. "Slayings of five women linked, police believe." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), August 16: 2.

Gildenhar, Jan. 1983. "As the death toll rises, police seek new leads." News Tribune (Spokan, WA), November 6: 14.

Gillespie, Elizabeth. 2005. "Hiker finds skull of Green River killer victim." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 23: 13.

Gutman, David. 2024. "DNA testing, onbituary helped identify victim of Green River killer." Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), January 7: 5.

Harden, Mark. 1985. "With no new murders in a year, Green River trail grows cold." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), January 6: 31.

Ho, Vanessa, Hector Castro, and Tracy Johnson. 2001. A father led police to Ridgway in 1983. December 6. Accessed June 11, 2026.https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/a-father-led-police-to-ridgway-in-1983-1073920.php.

Hunter, Steve. 2024. Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students. April 25. Accessed June 10, 2026.https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/.

—. 2024. Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students. April 25. Accessed June 19, 2026.https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/.

Johnson, Gene. 2003. "Everett father's words draw tears." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), December 19: 1.

McCarthy, Terry, and Nathan Thronburgh. 2002. "River of death." Time, June 3.

News Tribune. 1983. "A killer is loose, does anyone care?" News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 9: 22.

—. 1982. "Local prostitute among dead." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), August 17: 1.

—. 1982. "Police have Green River killer's mental profile." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), September 21: 4.

Rule, Ann. 2005. Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer--America's Deadliest Serial Murderer. New York, NY: Pocket Books.

Smith, Carlton, and Thomas Guillen. 1991. The Search for the Green River Killer. New York, NY: Onyx.

State of Washington v Gary Leon Ridgway. 2001. 01-01-10270-9 SEA (Superior Court of Washington for King County).

Sullivan, Jennifer. 2012. "Another Green River victim ID'd." Longview Daily News, June 20: 3.

Suttle, Gestin. 1993. "Skull found near Auburn identified as Bellevue woman, 19." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), February 5: 20.

Walter, Jess. 1990. "Possible suspects listed in killings." Spokane Chronicle, June 22: 3.

Wilson, Duff. 2003. Profiler can't recall why he said letter wasn't from Green River killer. November 26. Accessed June 11, 2026.https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031126/greenriver26m/profiler-cant-recall-why-he-said-letter-wasnt-from-green-river-killer.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the summer of 1982, it became obvious that a serial killer was operating in the Tacoma area and dumping his victims in the waters of the Green River. In time, The Green River Killer, as the press soon dubbed him, would claim a staggering number of victims to become the most prolific serial killer in American history, a title he would hold until relatively recently.

References

Associated Press. 1985. "Bones found near Portland were from woman on Green River list." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), June 15: 1.

—. 1985. "Green River case is tough, but not impossible: expert." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), September 18: 13.

—. 1984. "Woman is identified as 27th Green River victim." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), October 16: 21.

—. 1986. "Green River: 35th victim is identified." Daily Herald (Evertt, WA), May 5: 6.

—. 1985. "County welcomes FBI help in Green River case." Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), September 13: 23.

—. 2001. "Green River suspect arrested ." Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), December 1: 1.

—. 1985. "Detectives doubt Green River killer has moved to Portland." Longview Daily News (Longview, WA), Janaury 1: 9.

—. 1989. "Green River tas force could fold within a year." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), December 9: 16.

—. 1983. "'Green River Killer' may have slain 19 women." Spokane Chronicle, November 12: 1.

CNN. 2003. . December 19. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/18/green.river.sentencing/.

—. 2003. Green River Killer Gary Ridgway's statement to the court. November 5. Accessed June 17, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/05/ridgway.statement/index.html.

Cronin, Teresa. 1982. "Prostitution problem waning." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 15: A4.

—. 1984. "Slain daughter should be alive, her mother says." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 1: 37.

Daily Herald. 1990. "Green River case stuck, sheriff says." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), July 21: 11.

Dardarian, Suki. 1982. "Slayings of five women linked, police believe." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), August 16: 2.

Gildenhar, Jan. 1983. "As the death toll rises, police seek new leads." News Tribune (Spokan, WA), November 6: 14.

Gillespie, Elizabeth. 2005. "Hiker finds skull of Green River killer victim." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 23: 13.

Gutman, David. 2024. "DNA testing, onbituary helped identify victim of Green River killer." Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), January 7: 5.

Harden, Mark. 1985. "With no new murders in a year, Green River trail grows cold." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), January 6: 31.

Ho, Vanessa, Hector Castro, and Tracy Johnson. 2001. A father led police to Ridgway in 1983. December 6. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/a-father-led-police-to-ridgway-in-1983-1073920.php.

Hunter, Steve. 2024. Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students. April 25. Accessed June 10, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/.

—. 2024. Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students. April 25. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/.

Johnson, Gene. 2003. "Everett father's words draw tears." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), December 19: 1.

McCarthy, Terry, and Nathan Thronburgh. 2002. "River of death." Time, June 3.

News Tribune. 1983. "A killer is loose, does anyone care?" News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 9: 22.

—. 1982. "Local prostitute among dead." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), August 17: 1.

—. 1982. "Police have Green River killer's mental profile." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), September 21: 4.

Rule, Ann. 2005. Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer--America's Deadliest Serial Murderer. New York, NY: Pocket Books.

Smith, Carlton, and Thomas Guillen. 1991. The Search for the Green River Killer. New York, NY: Onyx.

State of Washington v Gary Leon Ridgway. 2001. 01-01-10270-9 SEA (Superior Court of Washington for King County).

Sullivan, Jennifer. 2012. "Another Green River victim ID'd." Longview Daily News, June 20: 3.

Suttle, Gestin. 1993. "Skull found near Auburn identified as Bellevue woman, 19." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), February 5: 20.

Walter, Jess. 1990. "Possible suspects listed in killings." Spokane Chronicle, June 22: 3.

Wilson, Duff. 2003. Profiler can't recall why he said letter wasn't from Green River killer. November 26. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031126/greenriver26m/profiler-cant-recall-why-he-said-letter-wasnt-from-green-river-killer.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.