RamÍrez Ricardo Leyva MuÑoz

Serial Killer

Ricardo "Richard" Leyva Muñoz Ramírez: The Night Stalker

Introduction

Richard Ramírez, born on February 29, 1960, was an American serial killer, rapist, and burglar who terrorized California from 1984 to 1985. Dubbed the "Night Stalker," he broke into homes at night, murdering and assaulting his victims in particularly brutal ways. His crimes instilled fear across Los Angeles and later San Francisco before he was finally captured in 1985.

Crime Spree: Names, Dates, and Locations

Ramírez's killing spree lasted from June 1984 to August 1985, with a total of at least 14 murders and numerous other violent crimes, including rape, assault, and burglary.

• June 28, 1984 - Glassell Park, Los AngelesJennie Vincow, 79, was found brutally murdered in her apartment. Her throat was slashed, and she had been stabbed multiple times.
• March 17, 1985 - Rosemead, CaliforniaMaria Hernandez, 22, was shot in the face but survived. Her roommate, Dayle Okazaki, 34, was shot and killed.
• March 17, 1985 - Monterey Park, CaliforniaTsai-Lian "Veronica" Yu, 30, was pulled from her car and shot to death.
• March 27, 1985 - Whittier, CaliforniaVincent Zazzara, 64, and his wife, Maxine Zazzara, 44, were murdered in their home. Maxine’s body was mutilated post-mortem.
• May 14, 1985 - Monterey Park, CaliforniaBill Doi, 66, was shot and his wife, Lillian, was beaten and sexually assaulted.
• May 29, 1985 - Monrovia, CaliforniaMabel "Ma" Bell, 83, and her sister, Florence "Nettie" Lang, 81, were bludgeoned in their home. Mabel died from her injuries.
• June 1, 1985 - Arcadia, CaliforniaRuth Wilson, 41, was attacked and sexually assaulted but survived.
• July 2, 1985 - Arcadia, CaliforniaMary Louise Cannon, 75, was beaten and stabbed to death.
• July 5, 1985 - Sierra Madre, CaliforniaWhitney Bennett, 16, was attacked with a tire iron but survived.
• July 7, 1985 - Monterey Park, CaliforniaJoyce Lucille Nelson, 61, was brutally beaten to death.
• July 20, 1985 - Glendale and Sun Valley, CaliforniaMaxson Kneiding, 68, and Lela Kneiding, 66, were shot in their home.Chitat Assawahem, 31, was shot while his wife and child were assaulted but survived.
• August 6, 1985 - Northridge, CaliforniaChristopher Petersen, 38, and his wife, Virginia Petersen, 27, were shot but survived.
• August 8, 1985 - Diamond Bar, CaliforniaSakina Abowath, 29, was raped while her husband, Elias Abowath, 31, was murdered.
• August 17, 1985 - San Francisco, CaliforniaPeter Pan, 66, was shot and killed. His wife, Barbara Pan, 62, was assaulted and survived.

Capture and Conviction

Ramírez was captured on August 31, 1985, in Los Angeles after a group of citizens recognized him and detained him until police arrived. In 1989, he was convicted of 13 counts of murder, 5 counts of attempted murder, 11 counts of sexual assault, and 14 counts of burglary. He was sentenced to death but died of complications from B-cell lymphoma in 2013 while awaiting execution. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (15)

Mei Leung Age: (9), Date of Death: 1984-04-10

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Suspected Victims:

Mary Caldwell Age: (70), Date of Death: 1985-02-20

Christina Caldwell Age: (58), Date of Death: 1985-02-20

Patty Elaine Higgins Age: (32), Date of Death: 1985-06-27

Survivors:

Anastasia Hronas Age: (6), Date of Attack: February 25, 1985

Maria Hernandez Age: (22), Date of Attack: March 17, 1985

Lillian Doi Age: (56), Date of Attack: May 14, 1985

Florence Nettie Lang Age: (81), Date of Attack: May 29, 1985

Carol Kyle Age: (42), Date of Attack: May 30, 1985

Carol Kyles son Age: (11), Date of Attack: May 30, 1985

Whitney Bennett Age: (16), Date of Attack: July 5, 1985

Sophie Dickman Age: (63), Date of Attack: July 7, 1985

Somkid Khovananth , Date of Attack: July 20, 1985

Somkid Khovananths son Age: (8), Date of Attack: July 20, 1985

Chris Peterson Age: (38), Date of Attack: August 6, 1985

Virginia Peterson Age: (27), Date of Attack: August 6, 1985

Sakina Abowath Age: (27), Date of Attack: August 8, 1985

Sakina Abowaths son Age: (3), Date of Attack: August 8, 1985

Barbara Pan Age: (62), Date of Attack: August 18, 1985

James Romero Jr. and family , Date of Attack: August 24, 1985

Bill Carns Age: (30), Date of Attack: August 24, 1985

Inez Erickson Age: (29), Date of Attack: August 24, 1985

Richard Ramirez - Wikipedia

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