Did you know these women? Sheriff publicizes facial reconstructions of 3 Green River victims

Four years after Gary Ridgway pleaded guilty to murdering 48 women, the King County Sheriff's Office has released photos of three victims who were never identified.

Investigators hope someone might recognize the facial reconstruction photos of the three victims. Ridgway, known as the Green River killer, admitted to killing them in the spring or summer of 1983, but he didn't know their identities. Detectives have never been able to figure out who they are.

"He didn't remember much, but that's pretty typical of Gary. He knew very little of them," said sheriff's spokesman John Urquhart said.

The facial reconstructions were done based upon women's skulls, Urquhart said. The women's hair styles are only a "best guess," he said.

Urquhart said investigators took so long to release the sketches because they had to find somebody to do the facial reconstructions. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children composed the images, which were made of clay and enhanced by computer.

The remains of one of the women, believed to be Ridgway's 10th victim, were found March 21, 1984, off Des Moines Memorial Drive in the Burien area. The Caucasian victim may have been as young as 12 at the time of her death.

Another victim, Ridgway's 16th, was found on Dec. 30, 1985, near Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn. The African-American or possibly mixed-race woman was approximately 18 to 24 years old.

Investigators are also seeking the identity of the 17th victim, who was found Jan. 2, 1986, near Mountain View Cemetery. The Caucasian woman was between 14 and 18 years old.

Anyone who recognizes any of the victims is asked to call the King County Sheriff's Office at 206-296-7530.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com