Bones found in 1985 identified as Green River Killer victim after extensive DNA research
ByKIRO 7 News Staff
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ByKIRO 7 News Staff
Extensive DNA forensic genealogy testing has helped to identify Bones 17 as Lori Anne Razpotnik, thought to be a victim of the Green River Killer, whose remains were found in 1985 in Auburn.
On Dec. 30, 1985, employees with the City of Auburn were investigating a car over an embankment in the 2000 block of Mount View Drive Southwest when they found potential human remains.
The Green River Task Force was called in to investigate, where they found a second set of remains.
At the time, the remains were not identified and were subsequently referred to as Bones 16 and Bones 17.
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Lori Anne Razpotnik Lori Anne Razpotnik, previously known only as "Bones 17." Her remains were first found in 1985, before extensive DNA testing identified her in December 2023.
Bones 17: Pictured is an earlier composite image of Bones 17, one of the unidentified victims of Green River Killer Gary Ridgway. The slain teenager’s remains were found Jan. 2, 1986, near a cemetery in Auburn, Wash. (NamUs)
Bones 17: Three of the victims of notorious serial killer Gary Ridgway were found along a steep embankment near Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn, Wash., shown here in an August 2018 Street View image. Authorities are trying to identify one of those victims, known only as Bones 17. (Google)
Unidentified victim of Gary Ridgway Unidentified victim of Gary Ridgway known only as "Bones-17."
Gary Ridgway (1949-present) The "Green River Killer" terrorized the Seattle area in the 1980s, and since 2003, he has pleaded guilty to killing 49 women and girls. (Pool/Getty Images)
Search for remains: Gary Ridgway, pictured, is seen in undated photos as he leads King County, Wash., investigators to one of the sites where he buried his victims. Ridgway, the notorious Green River Killer, killed at least 49 women in and around Seattle. (King County Prosecutor's Office via Getty Images)
Gary Ridgway Wendy Stephens, pictured top left in a family photo, has been identified as one of the 49 known victims of Gary Leon Ridgway, the infamous Green River Killer. The Denver 14-year-old, whose remains were found March 21, 1984, was identified through genetic genealogy. She is believed to be Ridgway's youngest victim. (King County Sheriff's Office, NCMEC, AP Photo)
Missing 14-year-old girl identified as victim of Green River Killer by DNA
Mary Marrero Mary Marrero, center, the sister of Green River Killer victim Rebecca "Becky" Marrero, far right, reads a statement in court as their mother, Rebecca Marrero, far left, wipes her eyes Feb. 18, 2011. Marrero, 20, was a victim of the Green River Killer in 1982. (AP Photos)
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Green River Killer Gary Ridgway appearing in court on Feb. 18, 2011.
Green River Killer Gary Ridgway.
DNA cold case: Patricia Agnes Gildawie has been identified through genetic genealogy as the person whose bones were found in this drainage ditch in September 2001 in McLean, Va. Gildawie, who vanished in 1975 at age 17, died of a gunshot wound to the head. (Fairfax County Police Department)
DNA cold case: Patricia Agnes Gildawie, known by loved ones as Choubi, has been identified through genetic genealogy as the person whose bones were found in this drainage ditch in September 2001 in McLean, Virginia. Gildawie, who vanished in 1975 at age 17, died of a gunshot wound to the head. (Fairfax County Police Department)
In 2002, Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer, led investigators to that location in 2002 and admitted to placing their bodies there. He pleaded guilty to their murders in 2003.
Through DNA testing, Bones 16 was identified as Sandra Majors in 2012.
Due to the advancement of DNA technology, a new DNA profile was established on Bones 17 and after extensive research, she was identified as Lori Anne Razpotnik.
According to the King County Sheriff’s Office, Lori Anne was 15 years old and lived with her family in Lewis County in 1982. She ran away that year and her family never saw her again.
Detectives were provided a saliva sample from Lori Anne’s mother, which the University of North Texas used to confirm the remains were Lori Anne.
According to the King County Sheriff’s Office, only one set of bones remains left to be identified. Bones 20 were found Aug. 2003.
According to the Washington State Department of Corrections, Gary Ridgway, 74, remains incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.
