Richard Ramirez was an American serial killer who raped and tortured more than 25 victims and murdered more than a dozen in their own homes. Victims ranged between a 9 year old girl and a married couple aged in their late sixties. He was called the "Night Stalker," Ramirez was turned on to Satanic worship at an early age by his cousin. As a signature he smeared pentagrams on the walls of the crime scenes.

Richard Ramirez was born Ricardo Leyva Muñoz Ramírez on February 28, 1960, in El Paso, Texas. He was the youngest of seven children born to Mercedes and Julian Ramírez, his father was a railway worker. Nicknamed Richard and Ricky, Ramirez had a bad childhood and was influenced by his older cousin, Mike who had recently returned from fighting in the Vietnam War. He told fascinated Richard stories about how he torture and mutilated Vietnamese women, often showing him pictures of the ordeals.

His criminal life first started as just theft but that turned to violence in 1984. This was when his 2 year killing spree started. His first victim was 79 year old Jennie Vincow, whom he sexually assaulted, stabbed and murdered during a burglary. Two years later he would have 25 victims. He was found after the stolen vehicle of one of his victims was found with his fingerprints inside. He was sentenced to 19 death sentences but died on death row in June of 2013.

Safety tips 

• Get home security and make sure only you and the members of your family know the password.
• If you do not have home security make sure everything is secured and that you have protection at hand.