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It's the third time in the last two weeks that Green River Task Force investigators have searched for new evidence in the serial killer case.

Video from Chopper 7 showed a large remote-control device with a telescoping arm that was being used in the search, driving around the perimeter of the house. Police said it was a robotic X-ray machine.

Investigators Use X-Ray Robot

Kathleen Larson, a spokeswoman for the Green River Task Force, said detectives promised the new owners of the home to keep their work private.

The home, on South 348th Street, was put up for sale in June to help pay Ridgway's legal costs. Detectives have repeatedly searched the property, removing dozens of carpet samples and excavating the yard with backhoes in November 2001.

Larson said detectives had no plans to dig up the yard this time, describing the renewed efforts as a "structural search."

Former Ridgway Home Searched

Skeletal remains of Pammy Avent, a victim of the Green River killer, were found near Enumclaw earlier this month and investigators digging in an area near Kent found bones last week that may be connected to the case. The bones found near Kent have not been identified.

Gary Ridgway is charged with aggravated first-degree murder in the deaths of seven Green River victims.

Ridgway, 54, of Auburn has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go on trial in July 2004. The seven women he is accused of killing are among the Green River victims.

Lawyers and investigators have refused to confirm whether Ridgway is cooperating with authorities in exchange for a plea deal that could spare his life.

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reported that in mid-June, Ridgway was transferred out of jail and to Western State Hospital. From there, on multiple occasions, Ridgway accompanied Green River Task Force detectives and prosecutors to what were described as "dump sites."

Previous Stories: August 25, 2003: Green River Task Force Analyzes Bones Found Near Kent August 24, 2003: Green River Investigators Resume Search In Kent August 21, 2003: Green River Detectives Find Bone Fragment August 20, 2003: Mother Learns Daughter's Fate