KENT, Wash., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Gary L. Ridgway, the nation's most prolific killer, has pleaded guilty to his 49th murder in a Washington state courtroom.
Ridgway, who is also referred to as the "Green River" killer, said 20-year-old Rebecca "Becky" Marrero was among his first victims, The Seattle Times reported.
Ridgway, 62, made the confession Friday in the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent before a packed courtroom that included members of Marrero's family. Marrero was last seen leaving a SeaTac motel on Dec. 3, 1982.
Marrero's sister, Mary Marrero, called Ridgway "a waste to society and a waste of space."
Ridgway previously admitted to killing Marrero but her body wasn't found until December. The discovery of her body allowed King County prosecutors to charge Ridgway with aggravated murder in her death.
Ridgway has avoided the death penalty because of a deal he made with then-King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng in exchange for his help in locating the remains of dozens of victims.
Ridgway has admitted to nearly 70 killings, many of them runaways, prostitutes and drug addicts.
Mary Marrero said she didn't agree with the deal that spared Ridgway's life.
"What does it take to get the death penalty in the state of Washington, your honor?" she asked Superior Court Judge Mary E. Roberts. "It makes me sick to my stomach that he beat the system."
