The Case of Kimi Kai Pitsor

Kimi Kai Pitsor was 16 when she disappeared from the Seattle area on January 13, 1983. Her remains were discovered in 1983 in a wooded area of southern King County and were later identified through dental records. Gary Ridgway eventually admitted murdering Pitsor during his interviews with investigators following his 2001 arrest.

Kimi Pitsor was 16 years old and was living in the Seattle area when she disappeared in January 1983. Her disappearance occurred during the continuing wave of murders associated with Gary Ridgway. By early 1983, the Green River Task Force had been investigating the deaths and disappearances of numerous young women for several months. Kimi was among the youngest victims associated with the investigation. Her disappearance came after the particularly active period of 1982, when numerous women disappeared from the Pacific Highway South area.

Kimi's remains were discovered in 1983 in southern King County. The remains were located in a wooded area where Ridgway had disposed of other victims. Her body was sufficiently preserved for investigators to establish her identity through dental records. The secluded location delayed discovery and was consistent with Ridgway's practice of using isolated areas of southern King County to conceal his victims.

Kimi's disappearance was investigated as part of the Green River Killer case. Investigators had already identified a broad pattern involving young women and girls who disappeared from the Seattle-Tacoma area. Despite extensive efforts, the killer remained unidentified. Kimi's remains were eventually identified through dental records, allowing investigators to connect the unidentified remains to her missing-person case. Ridgway became a suspect during the early investigation but was not arrested because investigators lacked sufficient evidence to prosecute him. In 2001, advances in DNA testing provided the breakthrough that finally led to Ridgway's arrest. During extensive interviews after his arrest, Ridgway admitted killing Kimi Pitsor.

Gary Ridgway pleaded guilty in 2003 to Kimi Pitsor's murder as part of his guilty plea to 48 aggravated first-degree murders. He received 48 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. Ridgway later pleaded guilty to the murder of Rebecca Marrero, bringing his known conviction total to 49.

Kimi's case demonstrates the continuing difficulty investigators faced in locating victims whose bodies had been deliberately concealed in remote areas. Her young age also reflects Ridgway's targeting of teenage girls as well as young adult women during his killing spree.