Richard Ramirez

Sitting on California's death row is Richard Ramirez, a.k.a the “Night Stalker.” Ramirez stands out among other serial killers in that his savage rampage took place in such a short period of time. From June 1984 to August 1985, in addition to rapes, kidnappings, sodomy, and burglaries, he killed at least 14 victims.

Ramirez, the youngest of seven, was born in 1960, in El Paso, Texas. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of 2 and began his criminal career at the age of 9. By the time he was in eighth grade, he was smoking marijuana, sniffing glue, and was obsessed with satanism and black magic. He was a high school dropout and a loner, and on the streets of Los Angeles, he robbed, stole cars, and injected cocaine.

In 1984, a 79-year-old woman was stabbed to death in Los Angeles. Next, a 6-year-old girl was abducted and raped, but left alive. Later, a 9-year-old girl was taken from her bedroom, raped, and dumped. By the time Ramirez started to kill, he quickly ascended to a spree of violence and mayhem. His varied methods of killing (shooting, stabbing, bludgeoning) and apparent motiveless crimes made him unlike any other serial killer—and made him difficult to capture. The “Night Stalker” arbitrarily raped and murdered men and women, young and old. During the night, he slipped into darkened homes, where he shot, stabbed, and mutilated his victims. As the killings became more sadistic, he slashed a 44-year-old woman's body and cut out her eyeballs to keep as souvenirs.

The victims who lived described their attacker as a tall, gaunt Hispanic man with horrible breath and rotten teeth. From witness identifications, the identity of the Night Stalker was ultimately solved. Extensive media coverage made him a household name. Everyone knew what he looked like, and everyone wanted him apprehended. Finally, while attempting to steal a car, he was beaten down with a pipe. Ironically, the police had to protect Ramirez from the mob of people who wanted him dead.

Much would be made of his satanism, which dated back to his days of listening to rock groups such as “AC/DC” and “Black Sabbath.” Sometimes, he etched satanic pentagrams on the bodies before fleeing or scrawled pentagrams in lipstick on bedroom walls. At trial, Ramirez enjoyed “playing Satan,” carving a pentagram on his left palm and flashing it to photographers. It was said that Ramirez claimed that Satan would protect him; it was also said that Ramirez did not have a true devotion to the devil, but was instead a violent antisocial individual who killed for pleasure.

Seven years after being sentenced to prison, Ramirez married 41-year-old Doreen Lioy, a devoted “fan.” The nonreligious ceremony was held in the [Page 387]prison's main visiting room. After reciting their vows and exchanging rings, they kissed. Richard Ramirez, housed at San Quentin State Prison, California, continues to await execution.

Richard Ramirez, the Night Stalker, tied to 14 murders and more than 30 assaults in California, proclaimed his loyalty to Satanism by displaying a pentagram tattooed on his left palm. He often shouted, “Hail Satan!” when leaving court and listened incessantly to his favorite AC/DC Highway to Hell album. His attacks included inscribing Satanic symbols in the homes of victims.

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