Richard Ramirez (Night Stalker)

Richard Ramirez (The Night Stalker), born Ricardo Leyva Muñoz Ramirez on February 29, 1960, in El Paso, Texas, became one of America’s most notorious serial killers, known as “The Night Stalker.” His crime spree from April 1984 to August 1985 terrorized California, particularly the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. Ramirez’s early life was marked by trauma; he suffered physical abuse from his father and was influenced by a cousin who exposed him to graphic violence and introduced him to drugs. These experiences contributed to his development into a sadistic killer.

Ramirez’s modus operandi was unpredictable; he used various methods to murder his victims, including shooting, stabbing, bludgeoning, and strangulation. He also committed numerous sexual assaults and burglaries, often leaving satanic symbols at crime scenes, which added to the public’s fear and fascination. His victims ranged in age and background, highlighting his lack of a specific target profile.

Captured on August 31, 1985, after being recognized and subdued by civilians, Ramirez was convicted of 13 murders, 5 attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults, and 14 burglaries. He was sentenced to death in 1989 but died of B-cell lymphoma on June 7, 2013, while awaiting execution. Richard Ramirez’s reign of terror left an indelible mark on American criminal history, and his case continues to be studied for its psychological and sociological implications.

Media:

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (Netflix, 2021)

Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes (Peacock, 2024)

The Night Stalker by Philip Carlo (Book)