'Night Stalker,' serial killer in 1980s, dies in prison
By Patrick Garrity, Staff Writer, NBC News
Richard Ramirez, the serial killer who terrorized Southern California in the 1980s as the "Night Stalker," has died in prison while awaiting execution.
Ramirez died of natural causes at Marin General Hospital. He was 53 years old.
San Quentin State Prison spokesman Lt. Sam Robinson confirmed Ramirez's death Friday.
Ramirez was sent to San Quentin's death row in 1989 after he was convicted of 13 murders, five attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults and 14 burglaries during a yearlong spree in 1984 and 1985. Some of his victims were shot to death, others were strangled or had their throats slashed.
Reports of Satanic symbols at bloody crime scenes and a killer who stole through unlocked windows and doors at night heightened Los Angeles residents' fears. The news media dubbed him "Night Stalker."
When he was captured trying to hijack a car in East Los Angeles in 1985, angry residents surrounded Ramirez and beat him.
Quote: Rev wrote in post #1'Night Stalker,' serial killer in 1980s, dies in prison
Ramirez was sent to San Quentin's death row in 1989 after he was convicted of 13 murders, five attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults and 14 burglaries during a yearlong spree in 1984 and 1985. Some of his victims were shot to death, others were strangled or had their throats slashed.
Reports of Satanic symbols at bloody crime scenes and a killer who stole through unlocked windows and doors at night heightened Los Angeles residents' fears. The news media dubbed him "Night Stalker."
I'm surprised some California politician didn't see some good in this guy and try to get him released.
It's a shame he didn't get to realize his destiny as an executed man.
And only 53? Well the State saved a lot of money when this guy didn't come down for breakfast.
The bureaucracy: the new fourth branch of government. The bureaucracy is permanent, unaccountable, unelected and choking us like a weed. The bureaucrat exists, generating nothing of value, using perceived problems to justify his existence.