History of Richard Ramirez in Timeline
Richard Ramirez, also known as the "Night Stalker," was an American serial killer who terrorized California from June 1984 to August 1985. His brutal crime spree involved a string of burglaries, rapes, and murders, earning him notoriety for his random and violent acts. Apprehended in 1985, Ramirez was sentenced to death in 1989. He died in prison in 2013 while awaiting execution.
February 16, 1927: Birth of Julián Tapia Ramirez
Julián Tapia Ramirez, father of Richard Ramirez, was born on February 16, 1927.
April 10, 1927: Birth of Mercedes Muñoz Ramirez
Mercedes Muñoz Ramirez, mother of Richard Ramirez, was born on April 10, 1927.
January 1, 1960: Fingerprint System Implementation
The fingerprint system that would later identify Ramirez was implemented on January 1, 1960. This system was crucial in connecting him to the crimes.
February 29, 1960: Birth of Ricardo Leyva Muñoz Ramirez
Ricardo Leyva Muñoz Ramirez, later known as Richard Ramirez, was born on February 29, 1960, in El Paso, Texas.
May 4, 1973: Witnessing of a Murder
On May 4, 1973, Richard Ramirez witnessed his cousin Mike fatally shoot his wife, Jessie, an event that deeply impacted Ramirez.
1974: Introduction to LSD and Interest in Satanism
By early 1974, when he was 14 years old, Richard Ramirez started using LSD regularly and developing an interest in Satanism and the occult.
1977: Mike's Release and Voyeuristic Outings
After being released from a mental hospital in 1977, Mike, Richard Ramirez's cousin, would sometimes join Ramirez and his brother-in-law, Roberto, on voyeuristic walks.
1982: Relocation to California and Descent into Crime
At 22 years old, in 1982, Richard Ramirez moved to California and began using cocaine heavily, resorting to theft and burglaries to fuel his addiction.
April 10, 1984: Murder of Mei Leung
On April 10, 1984, Richard Ramirez murdered nine-year-old Mei Leung in the basement of his San Francisco apartment building.
April 1984: First Known Murder of Richard Ramirez
Richard Ramirez committed his first known murder in April 1984, although it wasn't linked to him until 2009.
June 1984: Start of Ramirez's Crime Spree in California
Richard Ramirez's crime spree began in California in June 1984, terrorizing residents of the Greater Los Angeles area.
June 28, 1984: Murder of Jennie Vincow
On June 28, 1984, Jennie Vincow, 79, was found murdered in her Glassell Park, Los Angeles, apartment. This murder established a pattern of Richard Ramirez breaking into homes, committing brutal murders, and burglarizing his victims.
1984: Ramirez Arrested for Auto Theft
Ramirez was arrested for auto theft in 1984, leading to the mugshot that would later be released to the public.
February 20, 1985: Suspected Murders of Christina and Mary Caldwell
Richard Ramirez became a suspect in the February 20, 1985 murders of Christina and Mary Caldwell in San Francisco. The sisters were found stabbed to death. Ramirez reportedly bragged about the murders while incarcerated.
March 17, 1985: Attacks in Rosemead and Monterey Park
On March 17, 1985, Richard Ramirez attacked Maria Hernandez in Rosemead and killed Dayle Yoshie Okazaki in the same incident. Later that day, he killed Tsai-Lian "Veronica" Yu in Monterey Park. These attacks led to him being dubbed the "Walk-In Killer" and the "Valley Intruder."
March 27, 1985: Murders of Vincent and Maxine Zazzara
On March 27, 1985, Richard Ramirez killed Vincent and Maxine Zazzara in their Whittier home. He shot Vincent, beat and bound Maxine before demanding valuables. Maxine fought back but was ultimately killed. Ramirez mutilated her body and took her eyes as a souvenir.
May 14, 1985: Attack on Bill and Lillian Doi
On May 14, 1985, Ramirez shot Bill Doi in the face during a home invasion in Monterey Park. He then beat Bill into unconsciousness before raping his wife, Lillian, and robbing their home. Bill later died from his injuries.
June 27, 1985: Murder of Patty Elaine Higgins
On June 27, 1985, Patty Elaine Higgins was found murdered in her Arcadia home. Ramirez was initially charged but later cleared due to a lack of physical evidence.
July 2, 1985: Murder of Mary Louise Cannon
Richard Ramirez murdered 75-year-old Mary Louise Cannon in her Arcadia home on July 2, 1985. He bludgeoned her with a lamp before fatally stabbing her multiple times.
August 6, 1985: Attack on Chris and Virginia Peterson
On August 6, 1985, Chris and Virginia Peterson were attacked in their home by Ramirez. Virginia was shot in the face, and Chris was shot in the neck. Despite the attack, the couple survived.
August 1985: Capture of Richard Ramirez
Richard Ramirez was captured in August 1985, ending his reign of terror.
August 24, 1985: Encounter with James Romero III
While attempting to burglarize the Romero home on August 24, 1985, Ramirez was spotted by 13-year-old James Romero III. James alerted his father, causing Ramirez to flee. James' detailed description of Ramirez and his car proved crucial to the investigation.
August 29, 1985: Ramirez's Mugshot Released
On August 29, 1985, law enforcement released Ramirez's mugshot to the public, making him recognizable and increasing the pressure on him.
August 30, 1985: Ramirez Travels to Tucson
Unaware of the manhunt for him, Ramirez traveled to Tucson, Arizona on August 30, 1985, to visit his brother. He returned to Los Angeles the next day.
1985: Start of Correspondence with Doreen Lioy
Ramirez's relationship with Doreen Lioy began in 1985 when she started sending him letters while he was in prison.
1987: Imprisonment and Notable Encounter
In 1987, during his time in jail, Ramirez crossed paths with actor Sean Penn, who was serving a sentence for reckless driving and assault.
July 22, 1988: Jury Selection Begins in Ramirez Trial
Jury selection for Ramirez's trial began on July 22, 1988. This marked the beginning of a long and highly publicized legal process.
August 3, 1988: Increased Security at Ramirez Trial
Security was heightened at Ramirez's trial on August 3, 1988, due to an alleged escape plan and threat to the prosecutor.
1988: Proposal to Doreen Lioy
Amidst significant public attention surrounding his case, Ramirez proposed to Doreen Lioy in 1988 while still incarcerated.
1988: Correspondence with Sean Penn
While incarcerated in 1988, Ramirez allegedly sent a letter to Sean Penn, who had briefly been his fellow inmate. Penn responded dismissively, expressing his lack of sympathy for Ramirez.
September 20, 1989: Ramirez Found Guilty
On September 20, 1989, Ramirez was found guilty on 43 charges, including murder, attempted murder, sexual assault, and burglary.
November 7, 1989: Ramirez Sentenced to Death
Richard Ramirez was sentenced to death on November 7, 1989, for his crimes. He remained defiant throughout the trial.
1989: Conviction and Sentencing of Richard Ramirez
In 1989, Richard Ramirez was convicted of thirteen counts of murder, five attempted murders, eleven sexual assaults, and fourteen burglaries. He was sentenced to death.
August 19, 1991: Death of Julián Tapia Ramirez
Julián Tapia Ramirez, Richard Ramirez's father, passed away on August 19, 1991.
1994: O.J. Simpson Trial Surpasses Ramirez Trial Cost
In 1994, the O.J. Simpson trial became the most expensive murder trial in California history, surpassing the cost of Ramirez's trial.
October 3, 1996: Marriage to Doreen Lioy
On October 3, 1996, Richard Ramirez married Doreen Lioy at San Quentin State Prison, culminating their relationship that began through letters during his incarceration.
August 7, 2006: First Round of Appeals Rejected
Ramirez's initial efforts to overturn his convictions and death sentence through the legal system concluded unsuccessfully on August 7, 2006, when the California Supreme Court upheld the original rulings.
September 7, 2006: Rehearing Request Denied
On September 7, 2006, the California Supreme Court denied Ramirez's request for a rehearing, further solidifying his legal standing and bringing an end to his appeals at that level.
2009: Connection of Ramirez to the 1984 Murder
In 2009, DNA evidence linked Richard Ramirez to the April 1984 murder that was previously unconnected.
2009: DNA Match to Mei Leung Murder
In 2009, Richard Ramirez's DNA was matched to the crime scene of Mei Leung's murder.
June 7, 2013: Death of Richard Ramirez
Richard Ramirez died on June 7, 2013, from complications of B-cell lymphoma while awaiting execution on California's death row.
2013: Engagement to Unnamed Writer and Death
By 2013, Ramirez was engaged to a 23-year-old writer. This engagement followed his previous relationship with Doreen Lioy, who had maintained she would end her own life upon his execution.
April 12, 2016: Death of Mercedes Muñoz Ramirez
Mercedes Muñoz Ramirez, Richard Ramirez's mother, passed away on April 12, 2016.
2016: Identification of a Possible Accomplice
In 2016, evidence emerged suggesting the presence of another suspect, a juvenile at the time, during the murder of Mei Leung.