POLL: Would You Take a Green River Killer Sightseeing Tour?
Plans for a local Gary Ridgway sightseeing tour are causing a stir in Pierce and King Counties. Would you pay to visit landmarks left by a serial killer, or is the idea disrespectful and inappropriate?
The most prolific serial killer in United States history has been convicted of 48 separate murders in Pierce and King Counties, and has confessed to nearly double that number since he was arrested in Renton in 2001.
Fascination with Ridgway’s story has led to many bestselling books, a Lifetime Original Movie and even inspired some band names and song mentions.
Now, a local man wants to take dark fascination with the crimes a bit deeper and start a local sightseeing tour that follows Ridgway’s gruesome landmarks, according to KOMO News. He hopes tourists will pay money to visit body dump sites along the Green River and places Ridgway frequented when he picked up his victims.
The entreprenuer and stay-at-home dad sees the tour as filling a gap in local history. Besides, murder tours are not unheard of across the United States. However, members of the community have voiced opposition to the venture. Throughout the KOMO article’s 80 comments, readers have said they believe the idea is disrespectful to victim families and a tribute to “capitalism at it’s finest.”
According to KOMO, the man plans to sell tour tickets at $45 a pop starting in July, with some of the proceeds going to charity.
I have to wonder how much is going to charity and what charity? I think that would make a difference to many people.
Real Life Monsters 
I probably would due to my morbid fascination 😦
I think if the tour is done the right it could be excellent.
Remind people just how normal Gary was, make them aware of the crimes and keep it in the public mind.
Also remember the victims, show pix, keep them in the public memory, as women, moms, and daughters.