Richard Ramirez

from Compact Murder · host Compact Murder

Between 1984 and 1985, Richard Ramirez terrorised California, committing a series of home-invasion murders, sexual assaults, and burglaries that left Los Angeles and San Francisco gripped by fear. Known to the press as the Night Stalker, Ramirez targeted victims at random, entering homes at night and attacking without warning. His crimes shocked investigators for their brutality, lack of a consistent victim profile, and deliberate use of fear as a weapon. After a citywide manhunt and public identification through the media, Ramirez was captured in August 1985, tried in 1988–1989, and sentenced to death. In this episode, we examine Ramirez's crimes, the investigation that finally stopped him, and how his case reshaped public awareness of serial violence in America. Visit our website: Compact Murder Find us on our social media sites: Facebook Instagram Pinterest Youtube #richardramirez #nightstalker #truecrimehistory #serialkiller #1980scrime #losangelescrime #californiamurders #homeinvasion #compactmurders

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jan 23, 2026

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Richard Ramirez

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This episode was published on January 23, 2026.

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