Ep 3. Obsession: Dave Reichert and the Green River Killer

Obsession: Dave Reichert and the Green River Killer is the third episode of season five of the television show Cold Case Files. This episode delves into the investigative work of detective Dave Reichert, who spent nearly 20 years working to solve the case of the Green River Killer.

The Green River Killer was a notorious serial killer who targeted young women in the area surrounding the Green River in Washington state during the 1980s and 1990s. The killer was responsible for the deaths of at least 49 women, and possibly many more.

The episode begins by providing some background information on Dave Reichert. David Reichert was a police officer in King County, Washington, when he was assigned to the Green River Killer case in 1982. Reichert quickly became obsessed with solving the case and worked tirelessly to try to identify and catch the killer.

Over the years, Reichert became one of the leading authorities on the case, and he spent countless hours interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and analyzing the crime scenes. Despite his efforts, however, the killer remained elusive, and the case continued to haunt Reichert and the local community.

The episode then explores some of the key events and discoveries in the case, including the discovery of the first victim's body in 1982, the discovery of a second set of Green River Killer victims in 2003, and the eventual capture and conviction of Gary Ridgway, who was identified as the Green River Killer in 2001.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a sense of the incredible amount of work that went into investigating this case, as well as the immense toll that it took on the detectives who worked on it. Reichert, in particular, is portrayed as a driven and dedicated investigator who refused to give up on the case, even as it dragged on for decades.

In addition to profiling Reichert's work on the case, the episode also features interviews with other investigators, forensic experts, and family members of the victims. These interviews provide additional context and perspective on the impact that the Green River Killer had on the community, as well as the challenges involved in solving a case of this magnitude.

Overall, Obsession: Dave Reichert and the Green River Killer is a gripping and insightful exploration of one of the most notorious serial killer cases in American history. It provides a fascinating look at the investigative process and the people behind it, and it highlights the incredible perseverance and dedication that are required to solve a case of this magnitude.