Serial Killers In Washington State – 13 Of The Darkest Minds

Washington State is a relaxing place to live, with plenty of scenic natural parks and rugged mountain ranges.

At least until the dreary Seattle rains kick in and everyone turns into a serial killer because of the lack of Vitamin D.

Well, not really. Vitamin D deficiency is a serious issue but thankful the serial killers of Washington have been few and far between.

However, the serial killers that Washington state has had have been some of the most famous in the nation and you won’t be surprised by a couple of the names on this list.

So let’s look at some gruesome serial killers that have terrorized Washington State over the years!

1. Theodore “Ted” Bundy

Arguably the most notorious serial killer in American history, Ted Bundy began his killing spree right here in Washington. In the 1970s, he preyed on young college women—many of whom he abducted in broad daylight near the University of Washington.

Bundy’s method was to fake an injury, lure women to help him, and then strike. He buried multiple victims on Taylor Mountain near Issaquah. Some were never found.

What makes Bundy so terrifying isn’t just his crimes—it’s how ordinary he seemed. A law student. Clean-cut. Charismatic. His courtroom defense and media presence created a fascination that still lingers. Bundy confessed to killing 30 women but hinted the number was far higher. His reign ended with his execution in Florida in 1989, but his shadow still looms large.

2. Gary Ridgway

With 49 confirmed victims and possibly over 70, Gary Ridgway is one of the most prolific serial killers in American history. A factory spray painter by day, Ridgway stalked sex workers and runaways in the Seattle area for over two decades.

He often strangled his victims near the Green River and returned to their bodies to commit necrophilia. His calm demeanor and quiet lifestyle allowed him to escape suspicion for years. His capture in 2001 was aided by DNA evidence—and insight from fellow serial killer Ted Bundy.

Ridgway showed no remorse, stating he killed women because they were “easy to pick up” and “wouldn’t be missed.” He’s currently serving life without parole.

3. Gary G. Grant

Gary Grant’s crimes shocked the Tacoma area in the early 1960s. At just 18 years old, he lured two girls into the woods, killed them, and committed acts of necrophilia. His crimes escalated when he murdered two young boys, ages six and seven, hiding their bodies in a wooded area.

Despite his attempt to plead insanity, psychologists found him fully aware of his actions. He was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences. His youth and the depravity of his crimes left an indelible mark on the community.

4. Robert Lee Yates

Yates was a former National Guard helicopter pilot and father of five—living what seemed like an average Spokane family life. But in secret, he was murdering women and dumping their bodies in rural areas.

Beginning in the mid-90s, Yates targeted sex workers. He killed at least 13 women with a gunshot to the head—sometimes burying them in his own backyard. One victim, Melody Murfin, was buried beneath his bedroom window. He planted flowers over her grave.

He later admitted to having sex with some of the corpses. Yates is serving life in prison.

5. Warren Leslie Forest

Forrest was a Clark County Parks employee who used his job to scout secluded areas for his crimes. He’s suspected of killing up to seven women in the 1970s, though he’s only been convicted of one murder so far.

His victims were often hitchhikers or young girls. They were tied up, stabbed, and left in the woods—often missing clothing, including bras. His arrest came after a surviving victim escaped and identified him. In court, he called his crimes a “moment of fantasy.” He remains in prison, serving three life sentences.

6. Tube Sock Killer

Still unidentified to this day, the so-called Tube Sock Killer was active in 1985 and is believed to have murdered multiple couples in Washington’s wilderness.

The killer’s victims were often discovered in remote hiking areas, with one shared, chilling detail—a tube sock used as a ligature around the woman’s neck. The case remains unsolved, and no definitive suspect has ever been charged.

The randomness and brutality of the attacks continue to haunt cold case detectives and the families of the victims.

7. Westley Allan Dodd

Dodd was one of Washington’s most horrifying pedophiles turned murderer. He had a long history of molestation charges, yet was repeatedly released with the promise of therapy.

In 1989, Dodd abducted and murdered two brothers in Vancouver, Washington. He then killed a third child, 4-year-old Lee Iseli, whom he kept in his apartment, abused, and eventually hanged.

Dodd documented his crimes in a disturbing diary and admitted he would never stop killing. He requested to be executed by hanging—and in 1993, Washington complied.

8. Billy Gohl

In the early 1900s, Billy Gohl was a union official at the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific. He’s been accused of murdering over 100 sailors by shooting them and dumping their bodies in the Grays Harbor River.

Though only convicted of two murders, historians believe Gohl used his position to target transient sailors, rob them, and eliminate evidence. Some argue he was scapegoated due to his union activism—but the legend of Billy Gohl remains one of the oldest serial killer tales in Washington.

Non-Native Killers That Killed In Seattle

Now, not every serial killer active in Washington was born in the state. In fact, many either made their way here later in life or the state was just another road stop on their murder highway.

Here are a few of the other big names that may not have the honor of being from the state but still deserve their dark infamy for their deeds while visiting.

1. Gary Taylor – The Royal Oak Sniper

Taylor began by attacking women with a hammer in Florida. He later moved to Washington, where he abducted and murdered Vonnie Stuth, a young mother, near Enumclaw.

Despite being suspected in multiple killings, authorities struggled to track him due to poor interstate communication. Eventually arrested in Texas, Taylor confessed to four murders and was suspected in at least 20 more.

2. Randall Woodfield – The I-5 Killer

Woodfield was a former college football star and briefly played for the Green Bay Packers. But beneath the athletic image was a deeply disturbed man.

From Northern California through Washington, he committed dozens of robberies, rapes, and murders along the I-5 corridor. Disguised in fake beards or posing as a deliveryman, he left a trail of chaos in his wake. Convicted of multiple murders, he’s suspected in many more and is serving life without parole.

3. Martin Stickles – The Kelso Killer

Operating in 1899–1900, Stickles murdered at least three people, including an elderly couple, by shooting them through their windows. He then set homes on fire to cover his tracks.

A reclusive fisherman from Iowa, Stickles confessed to several religious figures before his hanging. His botched execution and eerie calmness during trial have kept his legend alive for over a century.

4. Kenneth Bianchi – One of the Hillside Stranglers

After terrorizing Los Angeles with his cousin, Bianchi moved to Bellingham, Washington, and continued his spree. He murdered two female students there, leading to his eventual arrest.

Claiming multiple personalities as a defense, Bianchi was eventually convicted and is now serving life without parole.

5. Joseph Kondro – The Longview Serial Killer

Kondro was a family friend to many of his victims, which made his crimes even more chilling. He abducted and murdered young girls he knew—people who trusted him.

After Kara Rudd went missing in 1996, DNA evidence linked Kondro to her death. He confessed to her murder and that of Rima Traxler in 1985. He died in prison in 2012.

Best Macabre Attractions In Seattle, Washington

If you’re paying a visit to the state’s capital and want to learn a bit more about Seattle’s serial killers, you’re in luck! The area is rife with enthusiasts for the macabre whether it be ghosts, true-crime, or death in general.

The most common attraction is actually a pub crawl and there are many available. Since these experiences are typically focused on the booze with a few spooky stories thrown in, look at the drink list and make your choice based on that.

If you’re serious about learning about crime and serial killers in Seattle, however, you have three main options:

Haunted Seattle Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: A mix of ghost stories, local lore, and a couple of drinks.

Private Eye Tours: Explore crime scenes with a guide who knows their history.

Spooked In Seattle Ghost Tours: Learn about haunted artifacts, murder cases, and embalming rituals all in one eerie stop.

8 Most Haunted Locations In Washington: For when you’re really ready to get the pants scared off you….

If you’re up for a bit of a trip you can also check out Afterglow Vista. But I won’t spoil the surprise about what kind of devilry you’ll find there.

Conclusion

Washington has seen its fair share of darkness. For a state known for nature and coffee culture, its criminal history is surprisingly rich—and chilling.

Hopefully, this gave you something interesting to think about while you explore the Pacific Northwest. And don’t worry—we’re mostly nice up here. Mostly.