Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
A disturbing video of notorious serial killer Richard Ramirez shows his unsettling reaction when questioned about his motives for murdering at least 13 individuals, earning him the nickname ‘The Night Stalker’.
During the early 1980s, the residents of Los Angeles were gripped with fear as a series of murders surfaced between April 1984 and August 1985.
Before his arrest, Ramirez would break into homes through open windows and unlocked doors, killing the occupants inside.
Alongside his killing spree, Ramirez would rob, assault, and sexually attack his victims.
The serial killer was finally apprehended on August 31, 1985, and in September 1989, he was convicted of 43 charges, which included 13 counts of murder, five attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults, and 14 burglaries.
The unpredictability of The Night Stalker’s crimes left law enforcement puzzled, aiding his ability to evade capture for months. His victims ranged from a 60-year-old grandmother to a 16-year-old girl, and came from diverse backgrounds, including white, Asian, and Latino heritages.
At his initial court appearance, Ramirez shouted ‘Hail Satan’ and was observed with a pentagram on his hand.
However, when interrogated about his motives, Ramirez was not forthcoming with an explanation.
With a grin spreading across his face when asked about his intent, he covered his mouth with his hand, offering a chilling response.
In footage obtained by Inside Edition, Ramirez said: “No comment, no comment, I cannot answer that at this time.”
Authorities proposed that Ramirez had one primary objective: to kill.
See the footage below:
The conclusion of The Night Stalker’s killing spree came closer on August 25, 1985, when a 13-year-old boy heard Ramirez outside his home. The boy alerted his parents, and they managed to note some of the license plate numbers from the car Ramirez was driving.
Ramirez then broke into the home of another victim, Inez Erikson, and identified himself as the Night Stalker.
Erikson was sexually assaulted by Ramirez, but she was able to provide police with a description of her attacker.
Once authorities located the car Ramirez used, a single fingerprint linked him to Richard Ramirez.
Within days, Ramirez’s mugshot was widely circulated in newspapers, leading to a group of bystanders capturing him while he attempted to carjack a vehicle. They held him down until police arrived to arrest him.
Ramirez passed away in June 2013 after being taken to a California hospital due to health issues.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Alternatively, you can chat online at online.rainn.org