Richard Ramirez, infamously known as the "Night Stalker," was born on February 29, 1960, in El Paso, Texas. As the youngest of five children in a Mexican American family, Ramirez's early life was fraught with challenges, including physical abuse from his father and a series of head injuries. These tumultuous early years were further complicated by his close relationship with a cousin who had returned from Vietnam, whose graphic stories of torture and violence deeply influenced Ramirez.
As Ramirez grew into his teenage years, he began to show signs of disturbing behavior, gravitating towards drug use and increasingly violent fantasies. His cousin's influence loomed large, introducing him to skills like stealth and killing, which Ramirez would later use in his crimes. By his late teens, Ramirez had fully embraced a lifestyle steeped in drugs and rock music, with a particular interest in Satanism.

In his early twenties, Ramirez moved to California, where his life spiraled further into chaos. He drifted through various cities, sustaining himself through petty theft and becoming more deeply involved in Satanism.

On April 10, 1984, in a grim basement in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, Richard Ramirez committed a horrifying act. He encountered Mei Leung, a nine-year-old girl searching with her brother for a lost dollar bill. Tragically, Ramirez lured her away, leading to her brutal murder. This cruel act was only linked to Ramirez years later, in 2009, through DNA evidence.
As the months passed, Ramirez's violence escalated alarmingly. By June 28, 1984, he had claimed another life, that of 79-year-old Jennie Vincow in Los Angeles, who was found stabbed in her own bed. This murder began a terrifying pattern of home invasions, where Ramirez would not only kill but often steal, driven by his drug addiction and financial needs.

In 1985, the attacks grew more frequent and brutal. On March 17, Ramirez shot Maria Hernandez outside her home but she survived, defending herself with her keys. Her roommate, however, was not so fortunate. Within hours, Ramirez had killed again in Monterey Park. He was ruthless, attacking his victims in their homes, often at night, earning him nicknames like the "Walk-In Killer" and the “Valley Intruder.”
The breakthrough in the case came when Ramirez left a clue—a sneaker print at a crime scene. This clue linked him to multiple attacks. The case cracked wide open when a teenager noticed suspicious behavior and noted details of Ramirez’s car, leading to his capture by local residents after a dramatic chase.

On September 20, 1989, Ramirez faced justice and was convicted on 43 charges, including 13 murders. He received the death sentence and infamously shrugged it off, saying, “Big deal. Death always went with the territory. See you in Disneyland.”
Despite his incarceration, Ramirez garnered an unsettling amount of attention and was even married in prison. He died in 2013 from health complications.