In order to avoid being put to death, Ridgway struck a deal with the authorities in which he would admit to hiding the bodies of some of the young ladies whose whereabouts were still unknown in exchange for a guilty plea in any subsequent instances in which the evidence supporting his confession could be shown. In December 2003, he was given a life term in jail, having killed more people than any other serial killer in American history. At the moment, Ridgway is a prisoner at Washington State Penitentiary.
In 2011, a second body was discovered, and Ridgway was given a second life sentence. When Ridgway stated in a 2013 media interview that he had killed between 75 and 80 women, there were rumors that he was lying or just trying to get attention.
When the Virginian became pregnant with her first kid at age 20, she left Columbia, South Carolina’s Allen University. Simpkins persisted in her desire to complete her college education even after getting married and spending the most of her time raising her twelve children, according to WWBT.
She moved from Brooklyn, New York to Virginia when she was ninety-six years old to live with her granddaughter, Halimah Shepherd-Crawford. The same Chester community college currently has her grandchild enrolled.
“I study the assignment, explain it to her, and then she gives me her answers,” Shepherd-Crawford said.
“I’m her hands and eyes, but it’s her brain. She’s still super sharp,” the granddaughter added.
The grandma and granddaughter will be receiving their degrees in May of the following year; Simpkins will be 102 years old and an inspiration to all. Simpkins claimed she feels like a 42-year-old despite her advanced age.
Seniors 60 years of age and above, including Simpkins, are eligible to enroll in higher education courses for credit or audit courses without paying any fees or tuition under Virginia’s Higher Education Act of 1974.
Simpkins, who is attending Brightpoint Community College to further her education, said she is “enjoying every step of it.” Tuesday and Thursday in-person painting lessons are what Simpkins, a semi-professional bowler, finds most interesting, she noted.
“When I go to do the homework, that’s easy. A piece of cake,” she added.
The centenarian expressed a cheerful approach to life and ascribed her lifespan to her concept of being happy and joyous in the moment. Shepherd-Crawford, her granddaughter, stated that her grandma has inspired her throughout her life.
“It’s special because we both will finish together, and we’ll both walk across the stage together. It made us work harder. And that was our motivation. We’re gonna do this together. We’re gonna finish together.”