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Richard Ramirez, famously known as “The Night Stalker,” was a serial murderer, rapist, and burglar who terrorized Southern California in the middle of the 1980s. His horrible acts, the trial that followed, and his conviction made a lasting impression on the collective memory of the people of the United States.
Biography
Richard Ramirez was born on February 29, 1960, in El Paso, Texas. His upbringing was marked by a tumultuous and troubled childhood. Ramirez’s mother, Mercedes Ramirez, frequently suffered maltreatment, and his father, Julian Ramirez, was a violent former police officer. Young Richard was exposed to a chaotic and disturbing atmosphere in this setting, which would have a significant influence on his destiny.
Ramirez’s path into criminality started when he was a little child. He began taking narcotics in his adolescent years and committed his first felony, a burglary when he was 12 years old. After dropping out of high school, he began taking drugs, supporting himself via stealing and other illegal means, and he slid into a life of crime.
Richard Ramirez unleashed a reign of terror on Southern Californians during the years of 1984 and 1985. He became well-known for a slew of horrifying crimes, including murder, sexual assault, and break-ins. Ramirez’s method of operation was terrifying; he broke into the houses of his victims and frequently killed them after sexually assaulting and robbing them.
Fear engulfed the populace and media as word of the “Night Stalker” spread. The ages of his victims ranged from 6 to 82, and his capricious and brutal attacks spread fear across the area. Ramirez added an unsettling and ominous element to his acts by leaving satanic symbols at several crime scenes.
On August 31, 1985, Ramirez’s violent rampage came to a stop when he was apprehended by a gang of East Los Angeles locals who had seen his mugshot in the media. The Night Stalker’s demise began when they kept him until the cops showed up.
In 1989, Richard Ramirez went on trial for his heinous crimes. The trial was widely reported on, and there was a mountain of evidence against him. He was convicted guilty of 14 burglaries, 11 sexual assaults, and 13 charges of murder in 1989. He was also found guilty of five counts of attempted murder. He was then given a death sentence.
What was Richard Ramirez’s Cause of Death?
Richard Ramirez passed away on June 7, 2013, when he was detained in San Quentin State Prison on death row. He passed away from blood cancer B-cell lymphoma-related complications. He was 53 years old when he passed away.
References
https://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/07/justice/california-night-stalker-ramirez-dead/index.html
