Born Ricardo Leyva Muñoz Ramirez, Richard Ramirez became infamous as the “Night Stalker” after killing 13 people across California between 1984 and 1985.
Getty ImagesRichard Ramirez , also known as the “ Night Stalker , ” terrorized California in 1984 and 1985 .
On August 31 , 1985 , sequential grampus Richard Ramirez walk into a convenience shop in Los Angeles . At first , the man known as the “ Night Stalker ” acted like any ordinary shopper . But then , he noticed his own face on the cover of a newspaper — and ran for his life .
By that point , Richard Ramirez was already considered the chief suspect in the unrelenting “ Night Stalker ” murders that had terrorized California for over a year . But authorities had only just relinquish his name and picture to the world .
Getty ImagesRichard Ramirez, also known as the “Night Stalker,” terrorized California in 1984 and 1985.
This gave locals the opportunity to note his appearance — and head him out as he quickly exited the stock . Nearly surrounded , Ramirez had very little opportunity of getting by , but he tried his best to escape .
The ensuing chase involved seven law car and a helicopter that get over Ramirez throughout the city . But an angry mob of bystander pick up up to him first . Enraged by his heinous crimes , they began to beat him relentlessly — and at least one valet de chambre used a metal pipe . By the time the constabulary get in , Ramirez was practically give thanks them for arresting him .
The Night Stalker had begin his brutal kill fling a little over a twelvemonth before his stay . In that metre , Richard Ramirez murder at least 13 multitude — and committed countless other violent acts . But his sprightliness of crime bulge long before that .
Public DomainRichard Ramirez as a teen. By this point, he had already developed an interest in Satanism, drugs, and violence.
Richard Ramirez’s Traumatic Childhood And Early Crimes
Public DomainRichard Ramirez as a stripling . By this detail , he had already arise an interest in Satanism , drugs , and furiousness .
take over on February 29 , 1960 , Richard Ramirez was raised in El Paso , Texas . Ramirez take that his male parent physically abused him and that he sustained multiple head injuries at an early age . One injury was so hard that it reportedly make him to have epileptic seizures .
To escape his violent father , Ramirez spend a lot of time with his older cousin , Miguel , who was a Vietnam old stager . unluckily , Miguel ’s influence was n’t that much better than his father ’s had been .
ARCHIVIO GBB/Alamy Stock PhotoRamirez in a high school photo at age 18.
During his clip in Vietnam , Miguel had rape , torment , and even dismember several Vietnamese women . And sickeningly , he had the photographic evidence to prove it . He often showed “ little Richie ” picture of the horrors he bring down upon the women .
And when Ramirez was just 13 years honest-to-goodness , he witnessed his cousin-german fatally shoot his own married woman . Shortly after the shooting , Ramirez began to transmute from a scared , abused boy to a hardened , sullen untried man .
ARCHIVIO GBB / Alamy Stock PhotoRamirez in a high school day photo at age 18 .
NetflixEven after he was arrested, Richard Ramirez often publicly flaunted his Satanism.
From developing an interestingness in Satanism to becoming addict to drug , Ramirez ’s liveliness took a dark tour . Even worse , he was still under his cousin ’s influence — since Miguel had been found not hangdog of the slaying by reason of insanity . ( Miguel in the end spent just four year in a mental hospital until he was release . )
Before long , Ramirez developed an fixation with the same kind of sexual and strong-arm violence that Miguel had inflicted on the women in his photo . Ramirez also began to have more test - ins with the legal philosophy — specially after he incite to the Los Angeles area in California .
Though most of his other crimes in the late seventies and other 1980s were related to theft and drug will power , it would only be a topic of time before they escalated to unspeakable fury .
Bettmann/Getty ImagesPolice sketches of the Night Stalker from 1985.
The Brutal Murders Of The Night Stalker Leave Californians Terrified
NetflixEven after he was arrested , Richard Ramirez often publicly flash his demonism .
For a retentive time , Ramirez ’s first murder was believed to have ingest place on June 28 , 1984 . It was then that he killed 79 - year - old Jennie Vincow . Not only did Ramirez thrust and sexually assault his victim , he also slashed her throat so profoundly that she was nearly decapitate .
But X after Ramirez was stop in 1985 , he was alsolinked by DNA evidenceto the murder of a 9 - twelvemonth - onetime miss , which took place on April 10 , 1984 — months before the Vincow execution . So that may well have been his first kill — unless there were even more that go on before that .
NetflixThe footprint left by Ramirez at one of the crime scenes.
After the Vincow murder , it would be several months before Richard Ramirez strike again . But when he did , he pursued his depraved pulsing with fearful dedication .
On March 17 , 1985 , Ramirez ’s execution fling began in earnest with an assault on Maria Hernandez in her home . ThoughHernandez managed to escape , her roommate Dayle Okazaki was not so favourable . That evening , Okazaki became another one of Ramirez ’s murder victims .
But Ramirez still was n’t done . Later that same Nox , he shot and killed yet another dupe diagnose Tsai - Lian Yu .
Getty ImagesRichard Ramirez was convicted of 13 murders, five attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults, and 14 burglaries. Decades later, he was linked to another rape and murder — of a nine-year-old girl.
A little over a workweek later , Ramirez murder 64 - year - quondam Vincent Zazzara and his 44 - year - erstwhile wife , Maxine . disgustingly , it was then that Ramirez began to establish his signature style of onrush : shoot and kill the hubby , then ravishment and stab the wife . But his murder of Maxine was especially ghastly — as he ’d gouged out her middle .
For month , Ramirez would continue to haunt and polish off more victims in California — striking fear in the hearts of people all throughout the State Department .
Richard Ramirez’s Victim Count Grows As His Reign Of Terror Continues
Bettmann / Getty ImagesPolice sketches of the Night Stalker from 1985 .
One of the most terrific things about Ramirez was that he was unforced to kill just about anyone who crossed his itinerary . Unlike some other serial killers who have a “ type , ” Richard Ramirez bump off both manpower and women and preyed on victims both immature and old .
Of the victims investigators are currently mindful of , two were under the age of 18 while the rest were between 30 and 83 yr old .
YouTubeBy the time he was arrested, high sugar consumption and cocaine use had rotted Richard Ramirez’s teeth.
At first , it seemed like Ramirez was only attacking people near Los Angeles , but he soon claim a couple of victims near San Francisco as well . And since the press dubbed him the “ Night Stalker , ” it was clear that most of his criminal offense happen at night — adding yet another shuddery component .
Disturbingly , many of his attacks included a Satanic element as well . In some cases , Ramirez would chip at pentagram into his victims ’ bodies . And in other cases , he would force victims to bank their love for Satan .
All over California , people go to bottom fearing that the Night Stalker would give away into their home while they slept — and perform an unspeakable ritual of rape , overrefinement , and murder . Since he apparently attack at random , it truly seemed like no one was safe .
Wikimedia CommonsRamirez being escorted from court by sheriffs.
The LAPD increase their presence on the street and even make a especial task force just to find him — with the FBI lending a script . Meanwhile , the public anxiety was so intense around this time that there was a noticeable rush in the gross sales of gun for hire , ringlet installations , burglar warning signal , and attack dogs .
The LAPD Launches A Massive Investigation To Catch The Night Stalker
NetflixThe footprint give by Ramirez at one of the law-breaking scene .
in the end , it was Richard Ramirez ’s own mistakes that led to his capture . On July 7 , Ramirez break into the rest home of 60 - year - honest-to-goodness Joyce Lucille Nelson and left behind his footprint . Unfortunately for Ramirez , the 11 - 1/2 size of it Avia stool pigeon he bear was very unique .
On August 18 , after brutally hit 66 - year - old Peter Pan and 63 - year - honest-to-god Barbara Pan , Ramirez once again left a footmark behind , and the self-confidence were able to cope with it to the one allow at the home of Nelson .
TwitterDoreen Lioy allegedly separated from her infamous husband before he died in 2013.
A few daylight later , Ramirez was make out outside the home base of James Romero Jr. Romero ’s 13 - year - old boy woke the family up after hearing footsteps around the family , and the family was able to catch key detail about Ramirez ’s auto , admit a partial permit plate number .
When the police tracked down the vehicle , they were able to happen just enough of a fingermark to make a match . Later , the shoe manufacturer informed police that only six of those specific shoes were sold , and only one store in Los Angeles sold them . These pieces of grounds were more than enough to head to Richard Ramirez , but by that stop , they had already received a tip that someone with the last name of Ramirez was demand .
A local cleaning woman had call the police after her father told her that he met someone named “ Rick ” from El Paso , Texas , who shoot a line about committing the crime and discussed secret details . Later , Armando Rodriguez , a friend of Ramirez , also told the police force that they were look for Richard Ramirez .
Sure enough , the LAPD was able to identify Richard Ramirez thanks to their new computer database of fingerprint . And even though the record only include felon who were born after January 1960 , it just so pass off that Ramirez was born in February 1960 .
Identification was also made potential through the joint effort of both the LAPD and the San Francisco Police Department . Prior to Ramirez , freestanding law enforcement agencies rarely worked together to solve crimes .
“ Back them detectives kept a lot of their entropy to themselves and a lot of meter when that find , cases do n’t get solved , ” Scott Carrier , a former Los Angeles Department of Coroner investigator , evidence theLos Angeles Daily News . “ You see a luck more of these task strength - type units today . ”
Though they ab initio concern that this would give Ramirez a chance to escape , it plough out that he was blissfully unaware of his newfound publicity — until it was too previous .
The Capture Of The Night Stalker
Getty ImagesRichard Ramirez was convicted of 13 murder , five attempted execution , 11 sexual assault , and 14 burglary . Decades later , he was connect to another rape and murder — of a nine - year - old missy .
By pure happenstance , Richard Ramirez was locomote back to Los Angeles when his picture was released . So he did n’t realize that he had been track down until he was back in the metropolis — and he saw his own face on the paper .
On August 31 , Ramirez return to Los Angeles after a short trip-up to see his brother in Tucson , Arizona . When he arrived at the bus place , he walked past police force officers who were tasked specifically with look for the Night Stalker . Then , he entered a convenience store and browsed the aisle before see something that stopped him in his tracks : his aspect plastered in the newspaperLa Opiniónwith a newspaper headline calling him “ Invasor Nocturno , ” or the “ Night Invader . ”
A group of elderly women in the store realise Ramirez and begin a commotion , cause Ramirez to flee in a panic . The killer hunt across a thruway and seek to steal a car in a nearby locality . Two resident , Faustino Pinon and Jose Burgoin , rive Ramirez out of the railway car and chased after him when he flee .
Then , when Ramirez tried to highjack yet another auto , he was bump off over the head with a fencing postal service . before long , a mob of nearly a dozen people who recognized him andhis notoriously bad teethfrom all of the public press reportage , begin to violently beat him in the street until the police arrived .
YouTubeBy the sentence he was arrested , gamey sugar wasting disease and cocaine usage had rotted Richard Ramirez ’s teeth .
One resident , Eloise Cabral , tell theLos Angeles Timesin 1985 that the neighborhood was just hold off for an chance like this .
“ We were saying that if he got caught around here in East L.A. he ’d believably get his butt dumbfound up because all the guys around here all fuck about him , ” she say . “ They would just have it away to get their hand on him . And now we wake up the next morning and witness him across the street . ”
The LAPD arrest the disadvantageously - perplex Ramirez and charge him with 13 counts of execution . In addition to the execution tutelage , self-confidence also charged him with several rapes , Assault , and burglary .
The Dramatic Trial And Conviction Of Richard Ramirez
Wikimedia CommonsRamirez being escorted from lawcourt by sheriff .
At first , Richard Ramirez refuse to discuss his crimes while in constabulary custody . Angry at being caught and on the face of it abashed about the way it happened , Ramirez remain move back and silent .
However , when he learn about the attention he was receiving in the media , and the possibleness of receiving more , he opened up like a book .
During his trial , which start in July 1988 , Ramirez increased the theatrics , drawing pentacle on his script and stating “ Hail Satan ” to the crowded spectator arena in homage . Because of the high - visibility nature of the instance , and the fact that it was a capital murder case , it hold the court six months to select a jury .
Even the lawyer were not immune to the flourish . Ramirez ’s own lawyers were inexperienced and had never work a end penalty case before . However , they match to represent Ramirez pro bono if they could have the right to any future movie made about him .
During the trial , there was ample grounds against Ramirez , including dental records , eyewitness accounts , and physical evidence . This , commingle with his lusterless effectual histrionics , go to Ramirez being sentenced to death in the gas bedchamber for his crimes on September 20 , 1989 — a sentence that garnered no emotion other than joy from the Night Stalker .
Later , Ramirez explain his joy : “ I am beyond safe and iniquity . I will be retaliate . Lucifer dwells in us all . That ’s it . ”
In sum , the run be the state $ 1.8 million , the most expensive execution trial in California story until that of O.J Simpson for the slaying ofNicole Brown SimpsonandRon Goldman .
The trial also changed the way the California legal system manoeuvre . Before Ramirez , judges were expected to support several hearings a solar day even when in high spirits - profile cases like Ramirez ’s were still active .
“ Back then they did n’t , so some days ( Judge Michael Tynan ) had to have several hearings before he could get back to our trial . It meant even when court would open up at 8:30 , there were days we did n’t start until 1:30 , ” Deputy Deputy District Attorney Alan Yochelson , a prosecutor in the fount , recount theLos Angeles Daily News .
The Night Stalker’s Final Years In Prison Before His Death in 2013
While he did receive a death conviction , Ramirez was never executed . Due to the complicated nature of his face — which included a 50,000 - varlet trial record — the state ’s Supreme Court was n’t capable to discover his ingathering until 2006 . And even though the court rejected his title , additional appeals would ’ve accept several more years .
During this extended postponement , Richard Ramirez met a distaff booster namedDoreen Lioywho had struck up a correspondence with him . And in 1996 , he marry her while he was on death row .
“ He ’s tolerant , he ’s funny , he ’s charming,”Lioy saidone year afterward . “ I conceive he ’s a really great individual . He ’s my best booster ; he ’s my pal . ”
TwitterDoreen Lioy allegedly separate from her infamous married man before he died in 2013 .
Obviously , most people did not deal her touch sensation . For the countless Californians who lived in terror during the mid-1980s , Ramirez was little better than the Devil he worship .
“ It ’s just malign . It ’s just consummate iniquity , ” said Peter Zazzara , the son of victim Vincent Zazzara , in 2006 . “ I do n’t know why somebody would want to do something like that . To take joy in the way it happened . ”
finally , Richard Ramirez diedof ramification from B - cellphone lymphoma , a cancer of the lymphatic system , in 2013 . He was 53 years old .
While he was alive , the Night Stalker never expressed self-reproach for any of his crimes . In fact , he often appeared to take pleasure in his infamy .
“ Hey , big deal , ” he say , presently after receive the death sentence . “ demise always comes with the territory . I ’ll see you in Disneyland . ”
Who was Richard Ramirez?
bang as the Night Stalker , Richard Ramirez was a in series sea wolf who burglarized , raped , and remove a series of victim in several locations throughout California between April 1984 and August 1985 .
Why was Richard Ramirez called the Night Stalker?
The media dub Richard Ramirez the Night Stalker due to his modus operandi of breaking into his victim ’ base in the dead of Nox . He was first establish the name by theLos Angeles Herald Examiner , whose editorial staff reject the name at first and considered other options like the “ Walk - in grampus ” and the “ Screen - Door Intruder ” before lastly settling on the “ Night Stalker . ”
Ramirez was known to then employ the nickname himself , admit during his attack on Inez Erickson in the early morning hour of August 25 , 1985 . After robbing her , shooting her married man , and raping her , he told Erickson , “ Tell them the Night Stalker was here . ”
How many people did Richard Ramirez kill?
Richard Ramirez was convict of 13 slaying , five attempt murders , 11 intimate Assault , and 14 burglary , but , as FBI track record show , many consider he may have had more victims .
How did the Night Stalker kill his victims?
Ramirez used various methods , including shooting , knife , bludgeoning , and strangulation . He also employed a number of dissimilar weapons , ranging from electrical cords to pistols to a hammer . later , he would sometimes mangle the bodies , including leaving Satanic symbolisation on the army corps or elsewhere around the criminal offence scene .
Did any of the Night Stalker’s victims survive?
Several of Richard Ramirez ’s victims did pull through . He bequeath some of them alert after sexually assaulting them , such as Inez Erickson in August 1985 .
Meanwhile , he intended to kill others , though they ended up not dying from their wounds . Among these victim was Maria Hernandez , who Ramirez attacked on March 17 , 1985 , shooting her in the typeface — not realizing that the bullet train ricocheted off her keys as she revoke her work force to protect herself , allowing her to dally dead until he fled the scenery .
How was Ramirez eventually caught?
Ramirez was spotted by would - be dupe James Romero as he prepared to break into their place on August 24 , 1985 . Romero was able-bodied to give law a verbal description of Ramirez ’s steal car as well as a partial permit scale number . police force found the car abandoned in Los Angeles four days by and by and managed to get one fond fingermark off the rearview mirror , which conclusively identified the Night Stalker as Richard Ramirez .
After his name and pic were circulated , Ramirez was espy by several people on the streets of East Los Angeles on August 31 . A small mob rapidly formed , chasing down Ramirez and beat him into compliance before police force arrived at the scene and took him aside .
What happened to Richard Ramirez after he was imprisoned?
Ramirez was convicted of all charges on September 20 , 1989 , and sentenced to death six hebdomad later . However , he sat on end row in San Quentin State Prison for many years , and filed several ingathering over the years that never ended in his favor . ultimately , he died of complication due to barn - cubicle lymphoma at Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae , California , on June 7 , 2013 at age 53 .
Did Richard Ramirez have a wife?
Ramirez married Doreen Lioy , a woman who began write him while he was on death row in 1985 . He declare oneself to her in 1988 and they were married at San Quentin State Prison on October 3 , 1996 .
Now that you ’ve read about nonparallel killer Richard Ramirez , the “ Night Stalker , ” acquire about more ofhistory ’s worst serial killers . Then , take a look at these21 sequential killer quotesthat will chill you to the bone .
