Alma Ann Smith, an 18-year-old White/Caucasian female, was last seen on March 3, 1983, along Pacific Highway South in SeaTac, Washington. She had a history of running away from home and, during her teenage years, was involved in sex work. Despite the challenges she faced, those who knew her, including her best friend, remembered her for her generous spirit.
Her disappearance remained a mystery for over a year.
On April 2, 1984, her remains were discovered near Star Lake Road in Auburn, Washington. At the time, law enforcement did not immediately connect her case to the string of murders that would later be attributed to the infamous Green River Killer. Found alongside her were the remains of three other victims: Delores Williams, Sandra Gabbert, and Terri Milligan.
Years later, a breakthrough in the Green River Killer investigation led to the arrest of Gary Leon Ridgway in 2001. During his detailed confessions, Ridgway admitted to the murder of Alma Smith. He recounted how he lured her to his home, where he strangled her before disposing of her body in a wooded area that same evening. Alma was identified as Ridgway's nineteenth known murder victim. As part of a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, Ridgway was convicted of Alma's murder, along with forty-eight other homicides. He received a sentence of 48 consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.
