Case Details

Photo URLs:

This person was missing Missing Since 10/31/1982

Missing Since:

Missing Since 10/31/1982

Missing From:

Missing From Tacoma, Washington

Classification:

Classification Endangered Missing

Gender:

Female

Race:

Race White

Date of Birth:

Date of Birth 10/21/1969 (55)

Age:

Age 13 years old

Height and Weight:

Height and Weight 5’3, 110 pounds

Clothing/Jewelry Description:

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Brown hair, hazel eyes. Due to a birth defect, Kristi’s left middle finger is about an inch shorter than average.

Details of Disappearance:

Kristi, a foster child in Tacoma, Washington, vanished on Halloween night, 1982. While there was an unconfirmed sighting of her at a Seattle bus station that night, she was never seen again. Although she wasn’t a runaway or prostitute, she often spent time on the streets.

Years later, in 1993, Kristi’s name was linked to the Green River Killer case. Many young women disappeared or were murdered in the same area between 1982 and 1984, and investigators suspected she was a victim.

Gary Ridgway was eventually arrested and charged. He’d been a suspect since 1984 because witnesses placed him with some victims, and his truck was seen near where they were last seen. DNA evidence from a saliva sample he gave in 1987 linked him to three victims. Other evidence, including items found in his home (like bone fragments, hair, and bloodstains), connected him to others. He also had a history of violence against women.

In 2003, Ridgway surprisingly pleaded guilty to 48 murders to avoid the death penalty. He’s serving life in prison. Investigators believe he may be responsible for even more deaths, and the investigation continues. Because Kristi’s disappearance happened during the time and in the area of the Green River killings, authorities strongly suspect foul play.

Agency:

Tacoma Police Department 253-798-4721

Source Links: