For nearly four decades, investigators have grappled with the mystery surrounding the identity of a victim known as Bones 17, found near Seattle in 1985. Now, King County authorities have announced a breakthrough in the case, revealing that the remains belong to Lori Anne Razpotnik, who vanished from her family's home in Lewis County in 1982.

The remains of Lori Anne Razpotnik were discovered in December 1985, near another set of remains known as Bones 16, in the city of Auburn. At the time, the Green River Task Force took charge of the investigation, but the victim's identity remained a mystery.

The case took a significant turn in November 2001 when Gary Ridgway was arrested and linked through DNA evidence to some of the earlier victims in the Seattle area. In 2002, Ridgway led investigators to the location where Bones 16 and Bones 17 were found, finally admitting to placing the victims there.

Gary Ridgway, dubbed the "Green River Killer," pleaded guilty to 48 counts of aggravated murder in 2003, solidifying his status as one of the most prolific serial killers in US history. He later pleaded guilty to an additional murder charge in 2011, increasing the number of his confirmed victims to 49.

Years passed without identifying the remains until 2012, when DNA testing confirmed that Bones 16 belonged to Sandra Majors. However, the identity of Bones 17 remained unknown until recently.

Thanks to advanced DNA testing conducted by Parabon Nanolabs, based in Virginia, a new DNA profile was developed, allowing investigators to pursue forensic genetic genealogy. Through extensive research and analysis, Parabon Nanolabs concluded that the victim was Lori Anne Razpotnik. The University of North Texas, utilizing a saliva sample provided by Razpotnik's mother, conducted DNA comparison testing, which confirmed the match.

Commenting on the identification, the King County Sheriff's Office expressed immense gratitude to all the entities involved, including Parabon Nanolabs, the University of North Texas, the King's County Sheriff's Office, the King County Prosecutor's Office, and the King County Medical Examiner's Office.

Gary Ridgway is currently serving his sentence without the possibility of parole at the Walla Walla State Penitentiary in Washington. Known as the "Green River Killer," Ridgway earned his moniker from the river near Seattle where he began disposing of his victims' bodies in 1982. The majority of Ridgway's victims were found in the Seattle area, while others were discovered in Oregon.

The identification of Lori Anne Razpotnik brings closure to her family and sheds light on the victims of the heinous crimes committed by Gary Ridgway. It stands as a testament to the advancements in DNA technology and the perseverance of law enforcement agencies in seeking justice for the victims of serial killers.