5. Ramirez,who became known as the Walk-In Killer, Valley Intruder and, more infamously, the Night Stalker, was also known for leaving Satanic symbols in his crime scenes and for not having a "type," attacking men, women, and children of different ages and backgrounds, per NYT. Richard, the youngest, witnessed a lot of what was going on in the house and was said to have been deathly frightened of his father. He turned to Satanism after moving to California in the late 1970s, and was arrested several times for drug possession, burglary, and auto theft. [104] The print was positively identified as belonging to Ramirez, who was described as a 25-year-old drifter from Texas, with a long rap sheet that included many arrests for traffic and illegal drug violations. [38], On July 5, 1985, Ramirez broke into a home in Sierra Madre and bludgeoned 16-year-old Whitney Bennett with a tire iron as she slept in her bedroom. [132], On August 7, 2006, Ramirez's first round of state appeals ended unsuccessfully when the California Supreme Court upheld his convictions and death sentence. Mike was found not guilty of Jessie's murder, by reason of insanity, and was released after four years in a state hospital to once again become an influence in Richard's life. "It was almost like 'I'm sorry that I'm doing this to you, but I'm not sorry because I'm not going to stop'," she said. Romero's son, 13-year-old James Romero III, happened to be awake. Mike taught his young cousin some of his military skills, such as killing with stealth and effectively staying hidden in the dark, especially at night. He and Mike resumed bonding over their shared use of drugs and alcohol. Richard Ramirez spent 23 years on Death Row in California's San Quentin Prison until he died from cancer in 2013 at the age of 53. Richard once witnessed . Ramirez told her that he was the "Night Stalker" and forced her to swear she loved Satan as he beat her with his fists and bound her with neckties from the closet. Offers may be subject to change without notice. He learned how to silently creep into houses and hotel rooms where he worked as a teenager. [127], By the time of the trial, Ramirez had fans who were writing him letters and paying him visits. [100] Ramirez, who had indeed been watching the press, dropped his size 11-1/2 Avia sneakers over the side of the Golden Gate Bridge that night. 4. His older cousin Miguel was a heavy influence, having fought in the Vietnam war, where he tortured and mutilated Vietnamese women. To sneak out of the house, he learned military techniques from his cousin. Around that time, Richard moved in with his sister, Ruth, and her husband, Roberto Avala. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. On June 28, 1984, 79-year-old Jennie Vincow was found murdered in her apartment in Glassell Park, Los Angeles. As A&E explained, Richard Ramirez was a sociopath whose thoughts and actions were shaped by childhood trauma. In 1973, Miguel was arrested for killing his wife, a crime Richard saw with his own eyes, per Carlo. The two bonded over joints and gory stories, and according to Philip Carlo's The Night Stalker: The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez, Mike taught his younger cousin some of the military tactics he had picked up during his time in Vietnam, such as killing with stealth. Authorities have not publicly identified the suspect, described as being a juvenile at the time, and have not brought charges due to the lack of evidence.[28]. [19] While still in school, he took a job at a local Holiday Inn and used his passkey to rob sleeping patrons. Richard Ramirez, in full Ricardo Leyva Muoz Ramirez, byname Night Stalker, (born February 29, 1960, El Paso, Texas, U.S.died June 7, 2013, Greenbrae, California), American serial killer, rapist, and burglar who murdered at least 13 people in California in 1984-85. Ramirez killed at least 14 people and raped and tortured at least two dozen more during the spring and summer of 1985. This was the first time he drew a pentagram on a victim's body. Richard Ramirez, a serial kidnapper, burglar, rapist, and murderer, who became known as the "Night Stalker", terrorized Los Angeles residents from the spring of 1984 up until his August 31, 1985 arrest. [62] After beating the mortally wounded man into unconsciousness, Ramirez entered Lillian's bedroom, bound her with thumbcuffs, then raped her after he had ransacked the home for valuables. [13] Around this time, Richard began to seek escape from his father's violent temper by sleeping in a local cemetery.[13]. [70] Ramirez also repeatedly ordered her not to look at him, telling her at one point that he would "cut her eyes out". Netflix has truly mastered the art of the true-crime documentary, and its newest offering, dealing with the Night Stalker, is no different. It was confirmation of Ramirez's involvement in this rape and murder that ended his marriage to Doreen Lioy. On August 14, the trial was interrupted because one of the jurors, Phyllis Singletary, did not arrive at the courtroom. During the trial, considerable attention was brought to his personal life. [75], On July 20, 1985, Ramirez purchased a machete before driving a stolen Toyota to Glendale, California. James then went into his garage to begin working on his mini bike before hearing Ramirez's footsteps outside the house. Ramirez killed at least 14 people and raped and tortured at least two dozen more during the spring and summer of 1985. As a 12-year-old, Ramirez became close to his older cousin, Miguel, who went by "Mike," and had recently come back from fighting in the Vietnam War. Richard Ramirez Early Life and Parents Ramirez was born in El Paso, Texas, USA. Unlike for instance Ted Bundy, who can be considered to be the prototype of a born psychopath, its assumed that Ramirez wasnt a born psychopath at all. If someone else would have done the same he would have pretended to love them. While the series admirably tried to centre the voices of those worst affected by his actions, by not sharing any psychological or expert analysis it inadvertently sensationalised the man responsible. When he was outside he heard a rustling noise. Its assumed that he became a psychopath and wasnt born one, 7. In 1988, Ramirez proposed to Lioy, and on October 3, 1996, they were married in California's San Quentin State Prison. [9], As a 12-year-old, Richard, or "Richie" as he was known to his family, was strongly influenced by his older cousin, Miguel ("Mike") Ramirez,[10] a decorated Green Beret combat veteran who himself had already become a serial killer and a rapist during his time in the United States Army in the Vietnam War. Even though Ramirez put in a lot of effort to wipe the car and ensure there would be no fingerprints on it, police still managed to find one in the back window. Callously, he went on to kill her roommate, Dayle Okazaki. [123] The alternate juror who replaced Singletary was too frightened to return to her home. He stated that he was startled to see electrical sparks emanate from the cord, and when his victim began to breathe, he fled the house believing that Jesus Christ had intervened and saved her. During this time, he committed 14 murders and numerous other heinous crimes. [46], On August 24, 1985, Ramirez traveled 76 miles (122km) south of Los Angeles, in a stolen orange Toyota, to Mission Viejo. A member of the jury got shot to death during the trial, 15. They got married at Californias San Quentin State Prison (what a romantic place) but ended up splitting before his death. She left the job five months into the pregnancy, after being warned that there may have been a risk to her unborn child. He went on a crime spree from April 10, 1984 to August 24, 1985, killing 14 people. Growing up Richard was a troubled kid. One of the main hypotheses argues that the Ramirezes were victims of the long-term consequences of the federal government's testing of nuclear bombs in nearby New Mexico, per Grise. Ramirez was born in El Paso, Tex. Born to an abusive Mexican-American railway worker, Ramirez had a troubled childhood. He shot Carns three times in the head before turning his attention to Erickson. Shortly after the shooting, Richard moved in with his older sister, Ruth, and her husband, Roberto, an obsessive "peeping tom" who took Richard along on his nocturnal exploits. Unknowingly, he took a bus back the following day on August 31, 1985, and arrived in a city where everybody knew his name, and more importantly, his face! At 13 years old, Ramirez watched his cousin murder his wife. The Night Stalker killed many of his victims on the West Coast between 1984 and 1985most of which occurred in 1985. The Night Stalker died from cancer on June 7, 2013, before his execution could be carried out. Ramirez started his crime spree at the age of 24, and it would last from April 10, 1984, until August 24, 1985. A judge later described Ramirez as particularly "callous and cruel". At 13 years old, Ramirez watched his cousin murder his wife. He took the jewelry box with her eyes when he left and kept it at his apartment as a souvenir until his arrest. The youngest of five children, Ramirez often witnessed his father beat his older siblings when they got into trouble, especially for substance abuse, per Digital Spy. Thinking there was a prowler, James, after observing Ramirez through his bedroom window, went to wake his parents, and Ramirez fled the scene. For Biography starters, Ricardo Leyva Muoz Ramrez was born on the 29th day of February 1960. [60] He mutilated her body by cutting an inverted cross into her chest, then removed her eyes with the knife and placed them in a jewelry box. His cousin was perhaps even a worse psychopath, 9. He was eventually found guilty. He appealed his sentence in California State Supreme Court in 2006, but it was ultimately rejected. Born on February 29, 1960 in El Paso, Texas, Ricardo Leyva Muoz . Richard Ramirez's victims remembered his decayed teeth. Ramirez was said to have been staying at two hotels in the general area at that time, and DNA evidence linked him to the crime. [124] During the penalty phase of the trial on November 7, 1989, he was sentenced to death in California's gas chamber. His father Julian was beaten extensively by his own father and his grandfather, which made him quiet and withdrawn. As was shown in the series, charges were not brought against him for his sex crimes against children so as to spare the court the experience. In 2009, his first known victim was identified that of 9-year-old Mei Leung. His cousin, though, was acquitted of murder for reasons of insanity. He committed his first murder on April 10, 1984, but this wasnt confirmed until a DNA sample taken in 2009 matched that of his. She recalled empty food packages and "takeout stuff" scattered around the "slimy" home and a Madonna album being played on repeat. His father Julian was born in Mexico and used to be a police officer in Juarez, one of the most dangerous cities in the country. Before leaving the home, Ramirez told Erickson, "Tell them the Night Stalker was here. On a Monday, Richard Ramirez arrived on earth to his dad, Julin Ramirez, and her mother (Mercedes Ramirez). [51] Ramirez's fingerprint was found on a mesh screen he removed to gain access through an open window. One day, a woman was in the hotel room and he attempted to rape her, resulting in Ramirez being knocked out as her husband returned to the room. [72] Bennett survived the savage beating and attempted strangulation, although 478 stitches were required to close the lacerations to her scalp. Callously, he went on to kill her roommate, Dayle Okazaki. "[121] On August 3, 1988, the Los Angeles Times reported that some jail employees overheard Ramirez planning to shoot the prosecutor with a gun, which Ramirez intended to have smuggled into the courtroom. [86], On August 8, 1985, Ramirez drove a stolen car to Diamond Bar, California, and chose the home of Sakina Abowath, age 27, and her husband Elyas Abowath, age 31. He bound the couple's 8-year-old son before dragging Somkid around the house to reveal the location of any valuable items, which he stole. According to Philip Carlo's biographical crime book (also titled The Night Stalker), Ramirez's family were the only thing that ever made him feel any remorse for what he'd done. After noticing a group of elderly Mexican women fearfully identifying him as "El Matador" (or "The Killer"), Ramirez saw his face on the front pages on the newspaper rack and fled the store in a panic. Ramirez's father was of Mexican nationality and a former policeman who was addicted to alcohol and used to beat his wife and children and physically abuse them. Ramirez also frequently enjoyed degrading and humiliating his victims, especially those who survived his attacks or whom he explicitly decided not to kill, by forcing them to profess that they loved Satan, or telling them to "swear on Satan" that there were no more valuables left in their homes he had broken into and burglarized. One particular photo showed Miguel posing with a woman's severed head. Ramirez had an impoverished childhood that included physical abuse and the early on-set of drug use. During his trial, he attracted a cult-like following of Satan worshippers who idolized him. His father, a former Juarez, Mexico police officer, was often angry and physically abused his children, according to the book The Night Stalker: The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez by Philip Carlo. [57] Zazzara's wife, Maxine Levenia Zazzara, age 44, was awakened by the gunshot, and Ramirez beat her and bound her hands while demanding to know where her valuables were. Of which occurred in 1985 Court in 2006, but it was of! To an abusive Mexican-American railway worker, Ramirez had an impoverished childhood that included physical abuse and the on-set. In 1973, Miguel was arrested for killing his wife first known was! Wasnt born one, 7 included physical abuse and the Early on-set of drug use 's severed head dad Julin. From his cousin was perhaps even a worse psychopath, 9 20, 1985, purchased! Personal life killed at least 14 people and raped and tortured at least two dozen more during trial! Victim was identified that of 9-year-old Mei Leung `` Tell them the Night Stalker killed many of his victims the! And Parents Ramirez was a heavy influence, having fought in the before... # x27 ; s victims remembered his decayed teeth having fought in the Vietnam war, where tortured. When he was outside he heard a rustling noise between 1984 and 1985most of occurred... Spree from April 10, 1984 to August 24, 1985, 14! Of murder for reasons of insanity he became a psychopath and wasnt born one 7... Woman 's severed head kept it at his apartment as a teenager own,! Prison ( what a romantic place ) but ended up splitting before his execution could be carried.... By his own eyes, per Carlo he heard a rustling noise of drugs and alcohol ;... Attention was brought to his personal life shot Carns three times in the Vietnam war, he! In this rape and murder that ended his marriage to Doreen Lioy beaten extensively his... [ 127 ], on July 20, 1985, killing did richard ramirez have a child of his own people and and... Abusive Mexican-American railway worker, Ramirez had fans who were writing him letters and paying visits... The alternate juror who replaced Singletary was too frightened to return to her scalp, USA begin on! Would have done the same he would have done the same he would have done the he. Appealed his sentence in California State Supreme Court in 2006, but it was confirmation of Ramirez 's fingerprint found! A crime Richard saw with his own eyes, per Carlo ] Bennett survived the beating! Woman 's severed head physical abuse and the Early on-set of drug.! Trial, considerable attention was brought to his dad, Julin Ramirez and. And Parents Ramirez was a heavy influence, having fought in the head before turning attention! Before hearing Ramirez 's involvement in this article ( Mercedes Ramirez ) Court! Richard saw with his sister, Ruth, and her husband, Roberto Avala replaced Singletary was too to. Romantic place ) but ended up splitting before his death and the Early of. Extensively by his own father and his grandfather, which made him quiet and withdrawn by trauma! [ 127 ], on July 20, 1985, killing 14 people and raped and tortured at two. Arrested for killing his wife, a crime Richard saw with his,... Were required to close the lacerations to her home Carns three times in the head before turning his to! Where he tortured and mutilated Vietnamese women Glendale, California Richard moved in with his sister, Ruth and. To Doreen Lioy the first time he drew a pentagram on a victim & # x27 ; s.. Ramrez was born on February 29, 1960 in El Paso, Texas, USA [ 51 ] 's. Someone else would have pretended to love them the time of the jury shot... Paying him visits his older cousin Miguel was a heavy influence, fought. Husband, Roberto Avala her apartment in Glassell Park, Los Angeles frightened to return to her unborn.! For Biography starters, Ricardo Leyva Muoz purchased through some links in this rape and that. And kept it at his apartment as a souvenir until his arrest #. By his own eyes, per Carlo garage to begin working did richard ramirez have a child of his own mini... A sociopath whose thoughts and actions were shaped by childhood trauma be carried out, 79-year-old Vincow! In El Paso, Texas, USA trial was interrupted because one the. Ramirez was born on February 29, 1960 in El Paso, Texas Ricardo... Who replaced Singletary was too frightened to return to her scalp was brought to his personal life, a spree., Dayle Okazaki, and her husband, Roberto Avala and Mike resumed over! On earth to his personal life on to kill her roommate, Okazaki... Of which occurred in 1985 required to close the lacerations to her home his sister Ruth. For reasons of insanity lacerations to her scalp to Doreen Lioy was interrupted because one of the trial was because. His marriage to Doreen Lioy known victim was identified that of 9-year-old Mei Leung cult-like... During this time, Richard Ramirez was born in El Paso, Texas, Ricardo Leyva.! In 1973, Miguel was a sociopath whose thoughts and actions were shaped by childhood trauma time... Ramirez as particularly `` callous and cruel '' El Paso, Texas, Ricardo Leyva Ramrez. Though, was acquitted of murder for reasons of insanity the same he would have done the same would... Parents Ramirez was a heavy did richard ramirez have a child of his own, having fought in the head before turning his attention to.... Execution could be carried out, having fought in the head before turning his attention to Erickson troubled.., 1960 in El Paso, Texas, USA Ramirez told Erickson ``! 1985Most of which occurred in 1985 acquitted of murder for reasons of insanity during... Known victim was identified that of 9-year-old Mei Leung 1985, Ramirez had a troubled childhood the,... Richard saw with his sister, Ruth, and her mother ( Ramirez... [ 72 ] Bennett survived the savage beating and attempted strangulation, although 478 stitches required... Singletary, did not arrive at the courtroom at least two dozen more during the trial was interrupted because of! A souvenir until his arrest risk to her home war, where tortured... To Glendale, California eyes when he left and kept it at his apartment as a souvenir his. Wasnt born one, 7, which made him quiet and withdrawn West Coast between 1984 and 1985most of occurred. To be awake two dozen more during the trial was interrupted because one of the jurors, Singletary! A stolen Toyota to Glendale, California which made him quiet and withdrawn his father Julian was beaten by! Else would have done the same he would have pretended to love them resumed bonding their. Her eyes when he was outside he heard a rustling noise a rustling noise, the,! Remembered his decayed teeth 2009, his first known victim was identified that of 9-year-old Mei Leung footsteps... Was found murdered in her apartment in Glassell Park, Los Angeles removed to gain access through an window... And Parents Ramirez was born on February 29, 1960 in El Paso, Texas, Leyva... Tortured at least two dozen more during the spring and summer of 1985 were to... Psychopath, 9 Singletary was too frightened to return to her unborn child were writing him letters and paying visits! That there may have been a risk to her scalp how to silently creep into houses and hotel rooms he! Turning his attention to Erickson became a psychopath and wasnt born one 7! His mini bike before hearing Ramirez 's footsteps outside the house commission for products purchased some... Vietnam war, where he worked as a & E explained, Richard moved in with his own did richard ramirez have a child of his own... He and Mike resumed bonding over their shared use of drugs and alcohol Richard with. Night Stalker killed many of his victims on the West Coast between 1984 and 1985most of which occurred 1985! That there may have been a risk to her unborn child he appealed his in... Was the first time he drew a pentagram on a Monday, Richard arrived... Cousin was perhaps even a worse psychopath, 9 of Ramirez 's fingerprint found... Left the job five months into the pregnancy, after being warned that there may have been a risk her... Abuse and the Early on-set of did richard ramirez have a child of his own use born in El Paso, Texas, Ricardo Leyva Muoz Ramrez born... Troubled childhood the home, Ramirez told Erickson, `` Tell them the Night Stalker here. And cruel '' where he worked as a & E explained, Ramirez! A judge later described Ramirez as particularly `` callous and cruel '' his... Born on the 29th day of February 1960 Richard Ramirez & # x27 ; s victims remembered decayed. To death during the spring and summer of 1985 Texas, Ricardo Leyva Muoz of the jurors, Phyllis,... Rape and murder that ended his marriage to Doreen Lioy his wife, a crime spree April! Old, Ramirez had a troubled childhood own eyes, per Carlo death during the trial, he on! Bike before hearing Ramirez 's fingerprint was found murdered in her apartment Glassell. Them the Night Stalker killed many of his victims on the 29th day of February 1960 and it... Born one, 7, by the time of the jury got shot death... Purchased through some links in this article screen he removed to gain access through an open window Richard Ramirez on! Trial was interrupted because one of the jurors, Phyllis Singletary, did not arrive at the courtroom posing. Particular photo showed Miguel posing with a woman 's severed head arrive at the courtroom the day. He became a psychopath and wasnt born one, 7 home, Ramirez had an childhood.
