'Sins Of The Father' Shows What It Was Like Growing Up With Green River Killer As Dad

An upcoming true crime documentary focuses on what it was like growing up with a notorious and prolific serial killer as a father. 

"Sins of the Father: The Green River Killer” premieres on Wednesday on Tubi and focuses on the double life of Gary Ridgway, who was dubbed the “Green River Killer” after his initial victims were found in Washington state’s Green River. He was convicted in 2003 of murdering 49 women in Washington in the early 1980s. While it has not been proven, he claimed to authorities that he killed as many as 80 victims. Next to Samuel Little, Ridgway is the most prolific serial killer in American history. 

“‘Sins of the Father: The Green River Killer’ explores what it's like to grow up the child of one of the most prolific serial killers in American history,” a synopsis of the film states.

The trailer for the documentary reveals that the serial killer admitted in 2003 to taking his son Matthew with him for at least one of the murders. In another incident, he had sex with a dead body while his son slept in his truck just feet away, a 2021 News Tribune story reports.

Ridgway used the image of a seemingly loving father to shield him from suspicion but he actually utilized it to lure in victims.

According to Ann Rule’s 2005 book “Green River, Running Red,” Ridgway would often use a photograph of his son to lure women and girls into his vehicle and to appear safer. During his killing spree, Ridgway targeted vulnerable women, primarily focusing on sex workers and underage runaways. 

The documentary reveals how the serial killer's son struggled to come to terms with who his father really was.

"Sins of the Father: The Green River Killer” features testimonials from a detective who worked on the case, a forensic psychotherapist, a former colleague of Ridgway, and more.

Ridgway is currently serving life in Washington for his crimes.