In 2003, Mr. Ridgway agreed to a plea deal that would spare him the death penalty if he helped investigators find and identify the remaining victims. During his confession, Ridgway stated that he picked the young girl up on a highway. Correspondence concerning this report should be addressed to Alexandra M. Gonzlez Villanueva, . This is a "Bird's Eye" aerial image of the bridge, which is also known as Peck Bridge. The medical examiner's office determined that she had been strangled. Investigators believe she was killed not long after her arrival in Washington. Debbie May Abernathy And my sister she was a sweet person, a caring person and she was loved by a lot of people., There is no documented of 16 year old Opal Mills being involved in any kind of prostitution. Weve updated the security on the site. She also suffered bouts of epileptic seizures that were controlled with medication. It was not believed that the Green River Killer murdered Wilcox, but the opinion of the investigators has been recently challenged. On on of her trips Gisele had become involved with a taxi driver known as Jak-Bak. (Seattle: The Seattle Times, 1989), 128. The Green River Killer: Gary Ridgway - ThoughtCo During Gary Ridgways sentencing hearing Shawndas sister, Sharse Woods-Summers, made a victim impact statement. By 1983 Carol was a young mother separated from her husband but she was determined to make it work for the sake of her daughter, Sarah, her absolute pride and joy. Make sure that the file is a photo. Ridgeway was charged with the murder of Wendy in April of 2003. Kelly Kay McGinnis was 18 years of age and was last seen on June 28, 1983 at South 216h Street and Pacific Highway South. Kimi-Kai whose name translated to golden sea at dawn in Hawaiian was described by her mother as an adventurous girl who loved unicorns and anything purple. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Murder Victim. Ms. Gaspar sought professional help for her daughter, hoping counseling could elicit answers: Where did she go? He was a truck painter raised near SeaTac, and a Tyee High School graduate. I thought of putting her on a milk carton. She kept her home phone number listed, just in case Wendy ever came looking. Until investigators knocked on her door, she had no idea what had happened. Though convicted of killing 49 young women and girls, he has confessed to 71 murders, and some investigators believe the actual number is even higher. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. By 1982 Debbie decided to leave her family home, stole $250 from her mothers purse and began living in various motels with an older boyfriend/pimp; whether or not he knew she was underage isnt known. The body is recovered and the cause of death is determined to be murder by strangulation using the victims own clothes. Learn more about merges. Mary Exzetta West Andrea M. Childers In 2003 the case was finally solved with the arrest of Gary Ridgway. Search above to list available cemeteries. November2001: Gary Leon Ridgway was arrested and subsequently charged with the murders of Cynthia Jean Hinds, Marcia Faye Chapman, Opal Charmaine Mills and Carol Ann Christiansen. Below, you will find the address and the GPS coordinates for this location. On July 15, 1982, the body of Wendy Lee Coffield was found in the Green River. Mary Bridgett Meehan The victim was Wendy Lee Coffield, a 16-year-old girl from Puyallup. She was last seen on October 18th by a close friend. At one point, he claimed that he "got behind her" and started choking her. Everybody was a potential friend, she said. When the police recovered Coffield's remains from the water, they had no idea that this was just the beginning of a nightmare that would stretch on for more than a decade. Constance Naon She sometimes said that it would be better for the baby if her mother adopted Shaunt. His first victim is believed to be 16 year old Wendy Lee Coffield. At some unknown point she turned to sex work and, shortly before her disappearance, she became a resident of the Echo Glen Childrens Center, which helps girls involved in prostitution to break the cycle and get out of that lifestyle. Three more charges against Ridgway in Green River case By 1984, the number of dead or missing women reached 49, becoming the nations largest unsolved serial-murder case. But then she met 27 year old Robert L. Martin, a known drug dealing pimp in the Tacoma area. Ridgway's decision to dump his victims in this river earned him the nickname "the Green River Killer." And there had to be somebody missing her.. Photo filed July 15, 1982. Before the year was over, Ridgeway went on to claim the lives of 15 women. Shawnda Leea Summers An Arizona native, 31 year old Marcia- who was known as Tiny by her friends- was a single mother of three children (ages 11, 9 and 3 as of 1982) who turned to sex work to support them; she refused the services of a pimp for protection, that way she wouldnt have to share her earnings. The girl had a pair of blue pants knotted around her neck. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. W ENDY Lee Coffield a 16-year old runaway from Pierce County Wash. disppeared on July 8 1982. A young black woman's face was floating just beneath the surface of the water, her body swaying beneath her with the current. Stigma complicated matters, according to Dr. Taylor. She was only 17 at the time of her disappearance. She gave lessons and she was very good, and she taught dance exercise.. The police got a lead on her identity after they published photographs of her tattoos in local newspapers. I just kept waiting for somebody to call and say, My young daughter ran away, Dr. Taylor said. She was stunned. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Ridgway's decision to dump his victims in this river earned him the nickname "the Green River Killer.". This time she was determined to turn things around by keeping this child and getting her GED. She was last seen on August 29, 1982 near South 144th Street and Pacific Highway South. Add to your scrapbook. Please reset your password. Wendy Lee Coffield - Crime scene location - Odd Stops He was hazy on the details, but said he thought he had picked Wendy up near a K.F.C. She was also a devoted fan of the band The Grateful Dead. She was good-hearted and all that. He has been a suspect for a long time, but before now, detectives had not found adequate evidence to build a case against him. Death certificate says she died of accidental drug and alcohol overdose, . Gisele A. Lovvorn Soliciting sex made it possible to live a lifestyle of traveling and being able to purchase heroinWhile Dub would go to the streets looking for business, Carl would spend time lurking in the taverns in Tacoma., The couple lived out of various motels as they traveled up and down the West Coast working the circuit. Wendy strayed a bit, as some teenagers do, she said. Try again later. According to Gallan, the body was on the southern side of the bridge. The Young Woman Behind a Last Mystery of the Green River Killer Back at home, Wendys parents attempted to implement punishments, but Wendy was too strong-willed, short-tempered, and impulsive for them to make a difference. Despite almost everyone in her large family having allergies to them, as a child Mary would often bring home stray cats and try to hide them in her room. At the park, just off Des Moines Memorial Drive, detectives followed the man to a swampy area outside the diamond where they found the rest of the remains. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. On November 30, 2001, a suspect, Gary Leon Ridgway, 52, a longtime resident of the area, will be arrested. She had always been a brilliant student and had dreams of attending Yale to study computer science after graduating high school. Our investigation continued for decades. Terri was 16 years old at the time of her disappearance. Following her parents divorce in 1979, Wendys behavior only got worse with her mother describing her as, wild in a lot of ways but I dont think it was a harmful kind of wild. July 15, 1982: Body of Wendy Lee Coffield, 16, Puyallup, found in the Green River south of Seattle. Verify and try again. Green River Killer: River of Death Stream of Tears Crime Library Mary began going to group sessions at the Youth Eastside Services to get herself back on track. Ainsworth suspected that the men were out for a day's fishing. Revised December 2, 2001, The Free Encyclopedia of Washington State History. Debbie using her street name Betty Lorraine eventually agreed to work with police in hopes of filing charges against her rapist. 26 Feb 1966 - 28 Aug 1982. TM & 2015 Turner Entertainment Networks, Inc. A Time Warner Company. Gail Matthews On July 15, 1982, the body of Wendy Lee Coffield was found in the Green River. There is a problem with your email/password. The wondering became an obsession. The way Wendy was identified, said Detective Jensen, I never would have believed it was possible 10 years ago. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Sandra K.Gabbert But it seemed absurd that her daughter could be the victim of a serial killer. It would have been her second day on the job. Apply Now. There were women whose bodies were found but not identified. My family left, and she was gone, Ms. Gaspar said. Gail decided not to go, instead announcing she would go to work so that they can keep their motel room for a few more nights. For more information, please read our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Looked like a body. Victims Spotlight: Remembering the Victims of the Green River Killer, She was described as cheerful, outgoing and someone who could take care of herself. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. WENDY LEE COFFIELD - Stolen Lives For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Wendy was 16 years old and last seen on July 8, 1982 in the Tacoma, Washington area. Her remains were found July 15, 1982.
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