CRIME HOUSE 24/7
Night Watch with Katie Ring
Episode: The Making of the Night Stalker (Part One)
Date: February 24, 2026

Episode Overview

In this first installment of a three-part series, host Katie Ring delves deep into the early life and psychological formation of Richard Ramirez, later known as the “Night Stalker.” The episode explores Ramirez’s traumatic childhood, influences that shaped his violent pathology, and the escalation from troubled youth to relentless serial killer. With a focus on factual reporting and sensitive storytelling, this episode foregrounds the roots of Ramirez’s crimes and sets the stage for the notorious terror he later unleashed across California in the mid-1980s.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Life and Family Trauma

(Timestamp: 03:30)

• Religious Upbringing:
  • Born Ricardo “Richard” Ramirez in El Paso, Texas on February 29, 1960, to devout Catholic Mexican immigrant parents, Mercedes and Julian Ramirez.
• Childhood Abuse:
  • The Ramirez household was marked by severe physical abuse at the hands of Julian, particularly toward Richard’s older siblings, but Richard himself was also a target for minor infractions.
  • Memorable moment: Julian once punished himself after a beating by hitting himself in the head with a hammer.

“But no amount of praying or begging could make him stop…even the slightest infraction, like hanging out with the wrong friends, found him on the receiving end of Julian's attack.”
— Katie Ring (04:05)

• Head Injuries and Epilepsy:
  • Multiple head traumas by age 10; diagnosed with epilepsy in 1972.
  • Treated with phenobarbital, linked to mood changes and confusion.
  • Katie shares personal context:

“I actually have epilepsy and was administered it after my first seizure and the nurse told me that this is what being drunk feels like. Luckily, we have much better medications now...”
— Katie Ring (05:10)

2. Negative Influences and Escalation

(Timestamp: 05:50)

• Miguel Ramirez (Cousin’s) Influence:
  • Vietnam veteran, exposed Richard to marijuana, stories, and photos of gruesome war crimes and abuse.
  • Miguel’s tales normalized violence and sexual aggression for Richard.

“Miguel’s stories not only justified physical and sexual violence, they normalized it for Richard…he learned both violent stories and some military survival and stealth tactics…”
— Katie Ring (06:50)

• Witnessing Murder:
  • At 13, Richard was present when Miguel murdered his wife, Jesse; Miguel went to prison.

3. Early Criminal Activity and Growing Deviance

(Timestamp: 07:35)

• Life with Sister Ruth and Brother-in-Law Roberto:

  • After the murder, Ramirez moved in with Ruth; Roberto exposed Richard to voyeurism, taking him out at night to spy on neighbors.

• Experimentation and Dropout:

  • Began using harder drugs like LSD; developed interest in Satanism and occult.
  • Dropped out in 9th grade; took a job at a Holiday Inn.

• Attempted Sexual Assault at Holiday Inn (1974):

  • Broke into guests’ room, attempted to attack a woman, was beaten by her husband (10:32).
  • Charges not pursued due to out-of-state victims, teaching Richard “the wrong lessons.”

“He got off completely free and learned all of the wrong lessons from the experience. Instead of changing his ways, he doubled down on them.”
— Katie Ring (11:13)

4. Move to Los Angeles and Descent into Violence

(Timestamp: 12:23)

• Relocation and Further Crimes:

  • Moved to LA at age 18, influenced by brother’s tales of opportunity.
  • Engaged in robbery and drug use; studied the Satanic Bible.
  • Increasingly obsessed with violence and Satanic ideas.

• First Known Murder (June 1984):

  • Murdered and assaulted 79-year-old Jenny Vincow in Glassell Park, LA.

“When Richard realized there was nothing to steal, he became enraged and he decided to make Jenny pay…he stabbed her to death and then essayed her.”
— Katie Ring (14:00)

• Arrested for Car Theft:
  • Briefly arrested; police took fingerprints and photo, but released him.
  • Did not return for his hearing; authorities did not pursue further.

5. The Night Stalker Emerges: The 1985 Killing Spree

(Timestamp: 15:34)

• St. Patrick’s Day Murders (March 17, 1985):
  • Stole a car, listened to AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell.”
  • Attempted to shoot Maria Hernandez—her keys deflected the bullet, she survived by playing dead.
  • Killed Dale Okazaki, Hernandez’s roommate.
  • Immediately afterward, murdered 22-year-old Veronica Yu.

“As Richard was leaving, he noticed that Maria was still alive. She raised her arms and pleaded…And for some reason, he did. He calmly walked off, then got into his car and sped away.”
— Katie Ring (16:55)

• Second Wave: April–June 1985
  • Returned to robbery and violence, targeting the Zazara family (Vincent and Maxine):
    • Killed both parents, with Maxine suffering extreme post-mortem violence and mutilation (20:17).
    • Ramirez “realized how much he truly enjoyed it.”

“In his own words, Richard described his growing obsession: ‘To have that power in life, there’s nothing more sexually exciting. It's the ultimate very few people experience.’”
— Katie Ring (21:20)

• Double Homicides and Escalation:
  • May 1985: Attacked Bill and Lillian Doy; Bill was shot, Lillian assaulted, house ransacked.
  • End of May: Brutal assault of sisters Mabel “Ma” Bell and Florence “Nettie” Lang; pentagrams drawn at the scene.

6. Attempted Police Intervention and Forensic Breakthrough

(Timestamp: 23:40)

• Investigation Led by Detective Frank Salerno:
  • Called in to investigate after the murder of Mary Louise Cannon in July 1985.
  • Noted pattern linking murders, including ballistic evidence and shoe prints.
  • Distinctive “Avia aerobic shoe, size 11½” print found at multiple scenes—a critical future lead.

“Frank and his partner Gil cross referenced the evidence at Mary Louise’s house to the other crime scenes. Another shoe print had been lifted from a homicide in June…and that footprint was identical…”
— Katie Ring (25:05)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “Miguel’s stories not only justified physical and sexual violence, they normalized it for Richard.”
  — Katie Ring (06:50)

• “He got off completely free and learned all of the wrong lessons from the experience. Instead of changing his ways, he doubled down on them.”
  — Katie Ring (11:13)

• “When Richard realized there was nothing to steal, he became enraged and he decided to make Jenny pay…he stabbed her to death and then essayed her.”
  — Katie Ring (14:00)

• “In his own words, Richard described his growing obsession: ‘To have that power in life, there’s nothing more sexually exciting. It's the ultimate very few people experience.’”
  — Katie Ring (21:20)

Key Timestamps

• 03:30 – Background: Family, upbringing, and early trauma
• 05:50 – Miguel’s influence and normalization of violence
• 07:35 – Voyeurism and criminal escalation
• 10:32 – First attempted sexual assault; near capture
• 12:23 – Move to LA, criminal development, first murder
• 15:34 – 1985 spree begins: Hernandez/Okazaki case, Veronica Yu
• 20:17 – Zazara family attacks; Ramirez’s enjoyment of murder
• 23:40 – Mary Louise Cannon murder and forensic evidence
• 25:05 – Police connect evidence across multiple deaths

Closing

The episode ends as Katie Ring foreshadows the escalation of the Night Stalker’s crimes, California’s growing panic, and the intensifying police investigation. She invites listeners to reflect and comment, teasing the next chapter in the Night Watch series.

“Next time on Nightwatch, we’ll continue our series as Richard Ramirez’s obsession with Satan only deepens and his violence escalates into a relentless summer killing spree that leaves all of California terrified.”
— Katie Ring (26:37)

For listeners seeking a thorough, context-rich dive into the early life and criminal development of one of America’s most notorious killers, this Night Watch episode delivers detailed narrative analysis, psychological insight, and sets the stage for a deeper exploration in parts two and three.