The Serial Killer Woman Worshipped
One man went on a brutal terror spree in the name of Satan
For two years, one man known as the ‘Night Stalker’ terrorised California residents. During the 80s, he broke into homes across Los Angeles and San Francisco in the darkness of night, raping and torturing over 25 victims and killing at least 13.
When he was finally captured, the Night Stalker turned out to be Texas born Richard Ramirez.
From an early age, he was interested in Satanic worship, and as a teenager, he got involved in petty crimes to fuel a drug habit. It saw him in juvenile detention. In 1983, he was sent to prison for car theft.
When he was released a year later, he had no prospects and famously, had rotting teeth.
On June 28, 1984, he robbed the home of Jennie Vincow, 79.
Ramirez sexually assaulted her then stabbed her repeatedly in her bed, slashing her neck so deeply, she was nearly decapitated. Nine months later, he struck again, attacking Maria Hernandez outside of her flat, but she managed to escape. So, Ramirez went inside and murdered her roommate Dayle Okazaki, 34, instead. Later that evening, he shot and killed Tsai Lian Yu. He was escalating. The media got wind of a serial killer in the area and initially dubbed him the ‘Valley Intruder’. Ten days later, he murdered Vincent Zazzara, 64, and his wife Maxine, 44. The twisted killer used a method that he’d go on to repeat. He shot the husband first, then assaulted the wife before stabbing her to death and gouging out her eyes. Police started a fullscale investigation into the murders, but they couldn’t stop him killing pensioners William and Lillie Doi in the same brutal way. Over the next two months, Ramirez went on a frenzied spree, leaving victims in his wake. He broke into houses in the early
hours and murdered the homeowners using guns, a machete, a tire iron, knives, and even his fists. He’d scrawl pentagrams on the
He struck in the darkness of night
walls and left the city of Los Angeles in a state of pure terror. A task force was set up and the FBI got involved. Ramirez’s actions appeared constantly in the press and photo-fits were constructed. He was forced to move north to San Francisco. There he murdered Peter and Barbara Pan. Now he was referred to as the ‘Night Stalker.’ Homeowners got extra locks on their doors to try fend off the man described as Hispanic with long hair and a foul smell. Ramirez’s final attack on August 24, 1985, would lead to his downfall. His victim survived and was able to describe the stolen car he was driving.
A televised appeal helped track the car – and inside were the fingerprints of Richard Ramirez. His mug shot was released. An
The serial killer was a big hit with his female admirers
angry mob recognised him held him down until the police arrived and arrested him.
Not only did the photofits match him, there were survivors who could positively identify him and evidence from the countless crime scenes.
Convicting Ramirez was a long and complex process that also saw him do everything possible to delay.
The killings were also across various states which made it even more complicated.
He was charged with 14 murders and 31 other felonies.
Some were dropped in order to try and speed up the process.
It would take three years for a jury selection to begin and due to the huge number of witnesses and evidence, it took another year to get through the case.
It cost Los Angeles County a record $1.8million.
By now, Ramirez had attracted quite a large devoted following due to his Satanic worship.
Many would appear at the court in black in an almost cult-like worship – especially women.
It was quite an elevation for a man who had often been described as foul smelling.
One captivated woman was
Doreen Lioy, who Ramirez would actually go on to marry in prison.
Ramirez showed no remorse and played up to the attention by wearing sunglasses like a rock star.
He even got his teeth fixed and tried to flirt with the female jurors.
At one point, he drew a pentagram on his hand and yelled ‘Hail Satan.’
The public were completely captivated.
Finally, in September 1989, the jury found Ramirez guilty of 13 murders, five counts of attempted murder, 11 sexual assault charges and 14 burglary charges.
Two months later, he received 19 death sentences.
He responded; ‘No big deal. Death always comes with the territory. I’ll see you in Disneyland.’
During sentencing, the judge said Ramirez displayed ‘cruelty, callousness and viciousness beyond any human understanding.’
The 29-year-old told the court; ‘I am beyond good and evil. I will be avenged. Lucifer dwells in us all.’ The Night Stalker was sent to San Quentin Prison in California where he continued to be linked to more crimes, including the horrific rape and Satanic ritual murder of a nine-year-old girl in San Francisco. After marrying the convicted killer, Doreen said her husband was ‘kind, funny and charming.’ But in reality, he left devastation in his wake. After 23 years on death row, Richard Ramirez died of natural causes on 7 June, 2013, aged 53. His death was due to complications related to B-cell lymphoma. The man inspired by Satan was dead, but even today, he haunts so many.