Richard Ramirez was arrested in August of 1985 after shooting, stabbing and raping his way through Southern California. He was identified by a fingerprint on the mirror of a stolen car and captured two days later.
"Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez
Ramirez killed nearly two dozen people throughout the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys and even ventured as far as Mission Viejo and San Francisco.
"Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez
(credit: LAPD)
"Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez
Before he was captured, Ramirez was dubbed the "Night Stalker" by the media, for his penchant for entering homes during hot summer nights when residents left their windows open.
"Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez
Ramirez died of natural causes while on death row on June 7, 2013.
"Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez
Ramirez was a professed Satanist and demanded at least one of his victims swear her love for Satan. He often mutilated his victims after killing them, and drew pentagrams on at least one victim's leg.
"Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez
Ramirez was found guilty of 13 counts of murder, five attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults and 14 burglaries in September of 1989.
"Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez
Ramirez was sentenced to die in November of 1989. His attempt to appeal his conviction in 2007 was denied.
"Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez
By the time Ramirez went to trial, he had many female fans writing him letters and visiting him in jail. Ramirez married Doreen Lioy in 1996.
"Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez
This is the most recent available photo of Ramirez, at the time of his appeal in 2007. (credit: San Quentin State Prison)
