Richard Ramirez

Richard Ramirez (born February 29, 1960, El Paso, Texas, U.S.—died June 7, 2013, Greenbrae, California) was an American serial killer, rapist, and burglar who murdered at least 13 people in California in 1984–85. Known as the “Night Stalker,” Ramirez was a self-described Satanist. He was convicted in 1989 and sentenced to death. He died while in prison in 2013.

Early life

Ramirez grew up in El Paso, Texas, the youngest of five children born to Mexican immigrants. His father was reportedly a heavy drinker who was also abusive. According to reports, when Richard Ramirez was 12 years old, a cousin who was a Vietnam War veteran showed him pictures of Vietnamese women he had allegedly raped, tortured, and killed. The following year Ramirez was a witness to his cousin’s fatal shooting of his wife. Around this time, Ramirez began breaking into homes. He also began using drugs and spending time in cemeteries.

After dropping out of high school, Ramirez moved to Los Angeles. He continued to commit crimes and was briefly imprisoned for stealing a car. Ramirez was also dealing with a worsening drug problem. According to reports, he was using cocaine, initially snorting the drug but eventually injecting it.

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Famous Serial Killers

Murders

In June 1984 Ramirez committed his first known murder, raping and stabbing Jennie Vincow, a 79-year-old widow. (In 2009 he was implicated in the April 1984 rape and murder of nine-year-old Mei Leung after his DNA was determined to be at the crime scene; however, Ramirez was not charged with the crime.) He then apparently waited some nine months before resuming his killings. Most of the deaths occurred in the Los Angeles area and took place during home invasions. Ramirez’s victims—some of whom survived—were often sexually assaulted and beaten, and Satanic symbols were found at many of the crime scenes. In some cases, the bodies were mutilated. The “Night Stalker,” as the killer became known, created a panic that saw a surge in gun sales.

Investigation and arrest

Police initially believed the murders were committed by several people due to the seemingly random nature of the crimes. Ramirez’s victims varied in age, ethnicity, and gender, and the methods of killing were inconsistent. Some victims were shot or stabbed, while others were strangled or fatally beaten. Ramirez also abducted and sexually assaulted several young girls before releasing them. Investigators came to realize that it was a single person based on similar descriptions from survivors and the fact that the same gun had been used in several murders. In addition, an Avia shoe print was found at several crime scenes.

Eventually a fingerprint was discovered that led to Ramirez’s identification. In addition, in August 1985 Ramirez traveled to San Francisco, where he killed several people and stole jewelry. Some of those stolen items were later connected to him. On August 30, 1985—six days after his last known murder—Ramirez’s name and photograph were released to the public. The following day a man in East Los Angeles saw him and notified police. A chase ensued, and as Ramirez tried to steal a car, he was surrounded by a crowd and beaten until police arrived.

Trial and death

A self-described Satanist, Ramirez made various references to Satan during his legal proceedings; he notably drew a pentagram on his palm and occasionally said, “Hail, Satan.” His trial began in early 1989, and in September he was convicted of 13 murders and a variety of other crimes, including attempted murder and sexual assault. Nearly two months later he received 19 death sentences, with the judge stating that his crimes showed “cruelty, callousness and viciousness beyond any human understanding.” Ramirez never expressed remorse, and, after receiving his sentence, he stated, “Big deal. Death always went with the territory. See you in Disneyland.” He was believed to have committed other murders and rapes but was never charged for any additional crimes.

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While on death row at San Quentin State Prison, Ramirez married Doreen Lioy, a magazine editor who sent him numerous letters, in 1996. However, according to reports, the couple later became estranged. In 2013 Ramirez died from lymphoma, a type of cancer. He was 53 years old.

Books and TV

Ramirez inspired several books and TV series. The docuseries Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (2021) includes interviews with Ramirez and various members of law enforcement. Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes (2024) features audio interviews with the killer. In 2025 it was announced that the second season of the TV anthology series Devil in Disguise would be based on Ramirez.