Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Forum Posts for Linda Rule:
Be respectful. Abuse of these forums will not be tolerated.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how the emotional aftermath of a crime can ripple through a community for decades, and Linda Jane Rule's case is a perfect example. Imagine what her friends and family went through all those years, not knowing who was responsible for taking her away. The uncertainty must have been unbearable. It's remarkable that her parents found the strength to forgive someone like Ridgway, who wrought so much suffering.
I often wonder about the people around Linda at the time—how they must have been affected by her disappearance and later confirmed death. Did any of her friends from school or the neighborhood hold onto guilt, feeling like they couldn't protect her, or worse, thinking they should have seen the signs? The fact that she was so young, with hopes and plans like anyone her age, makes it all the more tragic.
If anyone reading this happens to have been in Seattle during that time, or knew Linda in some capacity, I’d be interested in hearing how the community responded and coped with the news. Sharing these stories can sometimes help piece together a larger picture of the past, and perhaps offer a form of solace to everyone involved.
Does anyone else find it incredibly tragic how Linda Rule's case went unsolved for so many years before Ridgway’s confession finally brought answers? I can't help but think about all the years her family lived in uncertainty, not knowing what had happened to their daughter. It's a testament to the resilience and strength of her parents that they found it in their hearts to forgive Ridgway when many of us would struggle to do the same. This case is a grim reminder of how many young women in troubled situations can fall victim to someone like Ridgway. It's so crucial that we focus on protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring their safety, whether they are experiencing family issues, drug involvement, or any similar circumstances. My heart goes out to Linda’s family, and I truly hope they have found some semblance of peace now.
Hey everyone,
I've been looking into the tragic case of Linda Jane Rule, and I can't stop thinking about those years she spent before her death. It's just so sad to think about how troubled her early life was—dropping out of high school, getting caught up in drugs and possibly sex work. Being so young and dealing with all of that, I just wish someone could have stepped in to help her steer away from the danger she was facing.
Her story really highlights how important it is to support vulnerable teens going through tough times at home. It's devastating knowing that her life was cut so short by Ridgway's horrible actions, and yet she was trying to make plans—thinking about marriage even. Just makes you wonder how things might have been different for her if she had the right support.
Thinking about her family, too, and how they had to wait so long to have any answers. Their forgiveness is honestly beyond what I can fathom, and it's a testament to their strength in dealing with such unimaginable pain. I hope we can all learn something from Linda's story about the importance of intervention and support for young people at risk.
Would like to hear what others think about providing better support systems for teens like Linda.
Has anyone taken a closer look at the potential influence Linda's early life might have had on the choices she made as a teenager? Her story has always struck me as particularly tragic, especially considering she was just 16 and seemingly caught up in a whirlwind after her parents' divorce. Dropping out of high school and possibly getting involved in sex work at such a young age, it's difficult not to think about how different things might have been with a little more support or guidance.
It's clear to me that Linda, like so many others, was incredibly vulnerable at the time she crossed paths with Gary Ridgway. Her tragic end makes my heart go out to her family. Their choice to forgive Ridgway is incredible and shows the strength they must have as a family. We so often talk about the victims in stories like this in terms of their connection to the killer, but it’s also important to remember them as individuals who struggled and lived entire lives before their paths ever crossed. Do you think more outreach could have potentially changed the outcomes for vulnerable teens like Linda during that time?