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California · 1984–1985

Richard Ramirez

Richard Ramirez
Richard RamirezSan Quentin State Prison, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 2007 / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain (U.S.)

Photographs are cropped to fit. Photo dates and original images are available through the source credits.

Multiple & serial murders

Also known in coverage as: Night Stalker

Richard Ramirez entered homes across California during a series of murders, sexual assaults, and other attacks in 1984 and 1985. Public identification helped end the manhunt. The crimes and the investigation became widely known through reporting about the Night Stalker.

Content note: violence, abuse, or loss. Linked material may contain graphic descriptions. Screen dramatizations may change events and dialogue.

Roads Traveled

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California. The map provides regional context; individually verified historical places are listed below.

Map sources checked September 14, 2026. 2 individual Odd Stops location pages matched this case.

See this case’s source review
Odd Stops
Location pages found · 2 location pages. Source imagery is linked; only separately licensed photos are reproduced.
MurderData
No verified match found.
ArcGIS essay
Not included in this essay.
Reddit map
Reviewed as a general resource. Its coordinates and victim counts were not adopted as case evidence.

“No verified match” describes the accessible material found in this review, not proof that a source has never covered the case. MAP’s anonymous records were not individually matched to people.

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Grid-like exterior of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles under a clear sky.
Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center — Coolcaesar, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. · CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo may predate current conditions.

Courthouse · proceedings location

Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center

210 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The downtown Los Angeles Criminal Courts Building was renamed for pioneering lawyer Clara Shortridge Foltz in 2002. Los Angeles Public Library identifies it as the site of the O.J. Simpson and Night Stalker trials.

Planning a visit

Working courthouse. Public access follows court hours and security rules; courtroom access depends on the proceeding.

Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles, photographed in September 2005.
Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles, photographed in September 2005. Image resized for display.Jim Winstead · CC BY 2.0. Photo may predate current conditions.

Building access unverified

Cecil Hotel

640 South Main Street, Los Angeles, California

Odd Stops reports that Ramirez stayed at the hotel during the 1980s. This is an accommodation connection, not evidence that his killings occurred here.

Historical reference · no visitor access verified

A historical photograph or former hotel name does not establish current public entry or tours.

Sources reviewed September 14, 2026. Check access information before traveling.

Ramirez arrest area

Roadside historical reference

East Hubbard Street, Los Angeles, California

Residents confronted Ramirez in this neighborhood in August 1985 before police took him into custody. Nearby homes are not themselves identified crime scenes.

No visitor facilities, legal stopping place, or access beyond public roads have been verified. Respect traffic rules and surrounding property.

Location history, maps & imagery at Odd Stops ↗

Explore outside maps & location guides →

Fiction Work

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Scripted stories and fictional inspirations. Scenes, characters, and dialogue can differ from the record.

No verified fictional adaptation or inspiration has been identified in this collection. Nonfiction coverage is listed in the other media sections.

01Books

1 items

Philip Carlo

The Night Stalker

Book-length account or personal perspective. This link provides bibliographic details; compare the author’s account with reporting and records.

Explore this book

02Movies

0 items

Watch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.

A verified movie listing has not been added yet.

New material will appear here after editorial review.

03TV & documentaries

1 items

Watch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.

04Newspaper clippings

2 items

Original newspaper coverage, hosted by Newspapers.com. Read each article in the context of its publication date; later findings may differ. Full-page access may require sign-in.

Featured newspaper clipping

Read a featured clipping here, then explore more reporting in the newspaper archive.

Simi Valley Star · 1985-09-08 · Page 23

Ramirez profile follows his arrest

A United Press International feature interviews people familiar with Ramirez’s earlier life.

Pretrial reporting; descriptions and suspected totals were not yet adjudicated.

Open full clipping at Newspapers.com

More from the newspaper archive

Continue with these dated reports on Newspapers.com.

The Daily Item · 2013-06-08 · Page A4

Ramirez dies while on death row

An Associated Press obituary reviews the killings, trial, and announcement of Ramirez’s death.

An obituary published in 2013; contains graphic descriptions.

Read this article on Newspapers.com

Keep following the newspaper trail.

Search original reporting, follow the trial, and compare how newspapers covered the case over time.

Explore more on Newspapers.com

Newspapers.com controls access to its archive. A subscription may be required; existing subscribers can sign in.

05News & reporting

1 items

Los Angeles Times

Reporting on Richard Ramirez

Linked reporting or commentary. Read the source date for its historical context; access may require a subscription.

Read source

06Podcasts

15 items

Direct links open the selected episode in Apple Podcasts or on its publisher’s site. Some editions may require a subscription.

Apple Podcasts

America’s Most Infamous Crimes — Richard Ramirez, Part 1

Direct episode page for this case or its screen adaptation. Open it for listening options and the publisher’s episode notes.

Listen to the episode

Last Podcast On The Left

Episode 110: Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released February 17, 2015. About 58 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Last Podcast On The Left

Episode 111: Richard Ramirez Part II: Wet Leather

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released February 17, 2015. About 65 minutes.

Listen to the episode

True Crime All The Time

Richard Ramirez "The Night Stalker"

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released February 5, 2018. About 77 minutes.

Listen to the episode

True Crime All The Time

Richard Ramirez "The Night Stalker" finale

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released February 12, 2018. About 79 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Lights Out

Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released August 21, 2020. About 84 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Killer Psyche

Richard Ramirez - The Night Stalker

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released August 25, 2026. About 50 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Crime House 24/7

Killer of the Week: "The Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez Pt. 1

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released August 17, 2026. About 45 minutes.

Listen to the episode

The Casual Criminalist

Flashback to Richard Ramírez: The Night Stalker

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released March 7, 2026. About 69 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Criminology

"The Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released October 3, 2021. About 59 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Crime House 24/7

Richard Ramirez: How His Cousin Taught Him How To Kill Pt. 1

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released July 20, 2026. About 8 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Killer Psyche

Richard Ramirez Part 2: An Interview with Frank Falzon

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released September 1, 2026. About 40 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Crime House 24/7

Killer of the Week: "The Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez Pt. 2

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released August 17, 2026. About 36 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Morbid

Richard “Stanky Chops” Ramirez AKA “The Nightstalker”

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released August 21, 2018. About 60 minutes.

Listen to the episode

Morbid

Richard “Stanky Chops” Ramirez AKA The Nightstalker Part 2

Podcast coverage of the Richard Ramirez case. Released August 24, 2018. About 77 minutes.

Listen to the episode

07Social Media

10 items

Case videos, posts, family pages, and creator communities. Creator channels and groups cover multiple cases; each includes a link to the relevant episode. Facebook or TikTok may require sign-in, and groups may require membership approval. Community opinions are separate from verified reporting.

EXPLORE WITH US

What Netflix DIDN'T Tell You About the Night Stalker: RICHARD RAMIREZ | True Crime Documentary

Video from EXPLORE WITH US covering the Richard Ramirez case. Length: 29:45.

Watch on YouTube

FilmRise True Crime

World's Most Evil Killers - Season 2, Episode 10 - Richard Ramirez | True Crime

Video from FilmRise True Crime covering the Richard Ramirez case. Length: 44:04.

Watch on YouTube

I Could Murder A Podcast

The Twisted Case Of The Night Stalker: Richard Ramirez

Video from I Could Murder A Podcast covering the Richard Ramirez case. Length: 1:35:58.

Watch on YouTube

Inside Edition

Death Row Interview With Night Stalker Richard Ramirez

Interview or news segment from Inside Edition covering the Richard Ramirez case. Length: 5:39.

Watch on YouTube

DoctorOz

The "Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez's Psychology Explained | Oz True Crime

Video from DoctorOz covering the Richard Ramirez case. Length: 10:30.

Watch on YouTube

The Casual Criminalist

Richard Ramírez: The Night Stalker

Video from The Casual Criminalist covering the Richard Ramirez case. Length: 1:06:43.

Watch on YouTube

Absolute Crime

Who Was The Real Richard Ramirez? | The Night Stalker: Born To Kill? | Absolute Crime

Video from Absolute Crime covering the Richard Ramirez case. Length: 43:55.

Watch on YouTube

Ray William Johnson

I’m glad he’s dead now // The Richard Ramirez story

Video from Ray William Johnson covering the Richard Ramirez case. Length: 8:12.

Watch on YouTube

Real Crime

Was LA's Night Stalker Destined For Violence? | Born To Kill?

Video from Real Crime covering the Richard Ramirez case. Length: 44:26.

Watch on YouTube

Real Crime

Night Stalker: The Vicious Killer That Terrorised LA | World’s Most Evil Killers | Real Crime

Video from Real Crime covering the Richard Ramirez case. Length: 44:03.

Watch on YouTube

08Blogs & essays

0 items

Outside blogs, personal essays, and creator write-ups. These reflect each author’s perspective. Check publication dates and compare claims with reporting and court records.

This section is awaiting its first entry.

New material will appear here after editorial review.

09Internet Archive

3 items

Individual records from Internet Archive: library books, historical broadcasts, and preserved web pages. A catalog listing does not guarantee free reading or full playback. Access, previews, and borrowing are controlled by Internet Archive.

Internet Archive · TV News Archive

Lockup Raw : MSNBCW : July 29, 2011 10:00pm-11:00pm PDT

The archive indexes this broadcast under Richard Ramirez. It may contain several stories; use any available captions or previews to locate the relevant segment. Full playback may be restricted.

Explore the archived broadcast

Internet Archive · TV News Archive

Lockup Boston : MSNBCW : March 18, 2012 12:00am-1:00am PDT

The archive indexes this broadcast under Richard Ramirez. It may contain several stories; use any available captions or previews to locate the relevant segment. Full playback may be restricted.

Explore the archived broadcast

Internet Archive · TV News Archive

City in Fear Night Stalker : MSNBCW : June 2, 2012 12:00pm-1:00pm PDT

The archive indexes this broadcast under Richard Ramirez. It may contain several stories; use any available captions or previews to locate the relevant segment. Full playback may be restricted.

Explore the archived broadcast

10From the journal

0 articles

This section is awaiting its first entry.

New material will appear here after editorial review.

11Court records & documents

1 items

Court opinions, filings, transcripts, and dockets, alongside clearly labeled parole records, released investigative files, and courtroom recordings. Each item identifies its source and scope. Allegations in filings are not findings of guilt. These selections are not complete case files. Where an online document could not be verified, a separate guide identifies the records office or archive to contact.

Court opinionArchive copy

People v. Ramirez — California Supreme Court opinion

The court’s extensive review of Richard Ramirez’s convictions, covering the evidence and legal challenges from the multi-count prosecution.

Court / agency
Supreme Court of California
Document date
August 7, 2006
Case / citation
S012944
Hosted by
Justia

12Nicknames & media names

1 items

Netflix

Night Stalker

A name used in the linked media coverage. Media labels do not resolve disputed allegations or identify an unknown offender.

Read source

13Where are they now?

0 items

The latest information verified for this collection is listed below. Each source has its own date; these are not live custody records.

A current-status update has not been verified for this case yet.

New material will appear here after editorial review.

14Positive Outcome

0 items

Documented laws, advocacy, and reforms connected to this case. Changes do not undo the harm, and listing a law does not claim that it is effective or universally supported.

No case-specific law, reform, or advocacy initiative has been verified for this collection yet. This does not mean that none exists.

New material will appear here after editorial review.