/ Green River Killer

02:04 PM PST on Monday, December 29, 2003

By ELISA HAHN / KING 5 News

SEATTLE – Monday, the public finally heard what Gary Ridgway’s family members say about the Green River killer, including his ex-wives, his son and his brother.

In newly released documents, they painted a disturbing and sometimes conflicting image of a family man who was also a serial killer.

His ex-wife Marcia Ridgway revealed Ridgway tried to choke her.

"I fought to get away. I didn't know it was him, and he convinced me later that it was somebody else, although why he wouldn't let me call the police I don't know,” she said.

Then there was another time.

KING Gary Ridgway faces a judge and pleads guilty to 48 counts of aggravated first degree murder.

She also said at least twice he came home covered in dirt and debris.

"His hair was messed up. He looked to me like he'd been rolling around in the mud,” she continued. “He said that somebody had a flat tire and he was helping fix it."

Ridgway was controlling when it came to her appearance.

"I couldn't wear makeup because I would look like a prostitute. I couldn't wear certain clothes 'cause I'd look like a prostitute. He didn't want me to wear any earrings 'cause I'd look like a prostitute," she said.

She also described a time when he pulled over on Highway 18.

"He came up out of the woods and got in the car. Had a big smile on his face. He had said he just wanted to check on something," she remembered.

But his son, Matt Ridgway, painted a picture of a good father with an even temper.

"He'd always show up for any kind of event. Even when I was in fourth grade when I was in soccer, he'd always be there for me. He used to take me to soccer,” he said.

Ridgway’s brother also testified that he has never seen Gary get angry.

Footnote: Gary Ridgway said he claimed worker's compensation for injuries he suffered while moving the body of a victim. The state Department of Labor and Industries wants to clarify that he did not receive benefit payments from the state. At the time, Ridgway worked for a self-insured employer in Renton.