Dept of Corrections: Gary Ridgway returned to Washington State Penitentiary

WALLA WALLA - Gary Ridgway, the notorious "Green River" serial killer, is back at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington.

The Washington State Department of Corrections confirmed to Q13 Fox News that Ridgway had been flown via chartered plane overnight from the Federal Penitentiary in Florence, Colorado.

Jeremy Barclay, DOC communications director, said that Ridgway arrived Saturday morning and was placed into maximum security at the State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.

Ridgway has been convicted of 49 murders that spanned nearly 20 years. Ridgway’s transfer to the federal prison in Florence, Colorado came to light in June but prison officials did not give a reason.

Since his conviction in 2004, the 66-year-old Ridgway has lived in virtual isolation at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, where he was serving a life sentence without parole.