The "Night Stalker" was a serial killer who terrorized the Los Angeles area in the 1980s. He was responsible for the deaths of at least 13 people and the sexual assault of numerous others.
Richard Ramirez, as he was later identified, was a troubled and disturbed individual who had a history of drug abuse and mental health issues. He began his killing spree in June 1984, breaking into homes at night and committing brutal murders and sexual assaults.
Despite a massive manhunt, Ramirez evaded capture for over a year. He became known as the "Night Stalker" due to the nocturnal nature of his crimes and the fear he instilled in the community.
Ramirez was finally caught in August 1985 after being recognized by a witness who had seen him leaving the scene of a crime. He was arrested and charged with 13 counts of murder, as well as numerous counts of rape, burglary, and robbery.
During his trial, Ramirez was unrepentant and even appeared to enjoy the attention he was getting. He was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to death.
Ramirez died of natural causes in 2013 while on death row, never having expressed remorse for his crimes. The "Night Stalker" case remains one of the most heinous and disturbing in the history of Los Angeles.