The last known human remains connected to the notorious Green River killer have finally been identified, nearly 40 years after they were discovered in Washington state. These partial remains, known as Bones 20, were initially found in the Seattle area back in 2003, following information provided by convicted serial killer Gary Ridgway. Now, the King County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that Bones 20 belong to Tammie Liles, a young girl who vanished in 1983 at the age of 16 while working as a prostitute.
This recent identification brings closure to the Green River case, as there are no longer any unidentified remains tied to the serial killer. Tammie Liles’ disappearance was reported in March 1988, but it was not until many years later that her remains were found and conclusively identified. It was not the first time Liles’ remains had been discovered, as an earlier set found in a different location had already been matched to her through dental records.
Gary Ridgway gained infamy during the 1980s as the Green River killer. He earned this moniker due to his habit of discarding his victims’ bodies in the Green River, located south of Seattle. It was not until advancements in DNA technology that Ridgway was identified as the prolific serial killer he truly was. In November 2001, he was arrested and later pleaded guilty to 48 counts of aggravated murder. Ridgway, who is currently 74 years old, struck a deal with investigators to avoid the death penalty by assisting in locating additional missing remains. As a result, he eventually pleaded guilty to a 49th victim. He is now serving a life sentence at the Washington State Penitentiary.
The identification of Tammie Liles’ remains was made possible through the help of Othram, a Texas-based forensic sequencing laboratory. Despite the degraded condition of the DNA, the lab successfully built a DNA profile and used their in-house forensic genetic genealogy team to tentatively identify Bones 20 as Tammie Liles. The confirmation came after detectives obtained a DNA sample from her mother, which was analyzed by the University of North Texas using traditional STR and mitochondrial DNA testing methods.
The King County Sheriff’s Office expressed immense relief at providing closure to the Green River case and the families of Ridgway’s victims. It’s an immense feeling of satisfaction that in this case, that started in the early ’80s, we are able to identify all of Gary Ridgway’s victims, said Eric White, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office. The identification of Bones 20 as Tammie Liles marks a significant milestone in bringing justice to the victims of one of America’s most notorious serial killers.
With the last remaining unidentified remains connected to the Green River killer now identified, the families affected by these heinous crimes can finally find a sense of closure. The relentless efforts of forensic experts and advances in DNA technology have helped shed light on a dark chapter in Washington state’s history. As the names of the victims are revealed and justice is served, communities can hope to heal and move forward, knowing that the memory of those lost will not be forgotten.
