“I’m not a serial rapist; I’m a serial killer” - Ridgway. Gary Leon Ridgway a.k.a. “The Green River Strangler”, murdered at least 50 women. He is considered to be the most prolific American serial killer in terms of confirmed body count. Ridgway’s slayings began in 1982, when young runaways and prostitutionprostitutes began disappearing from State Route 99 in South King County, Washington. He targeted prostitutes because he thought they wouldn’t be missed. The Green River Killer case was significant toin the 1990s, because it was the most profileprofiled serial murder case ever, it. It revealed a clearer profile of serial murders, and it brought greater awareness to the challenges of protecting society's vulnerable citizens, namely prostitutes.