Who Is Richard Chase? Age, Biography and Wiki
Richard Chase was born on May 23, 1950, in Santa Clara, California. Known as the "Vampire of Sacramento," Chase was an infamous serial killer who terrorized California in the late 1970s. He was convicted of multiple murders and is often remembered for his bizarre and gruesome actions, including acts of cannibalism. After a troubled childhood, which included a hospitalization for mental health issues, Chase's life spiraled into violent crime.
As of 2025, Richard Chase would be 75 years old. His legacy remains a chilling chapter in American criminal history, with ongoing discussions surrounding mental illness and criminal behavior.
| Occupation | Criminals |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 23, 1950 |
| Age | 30 Years |
| Birth Place | Santa Clara County, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 26 December, 1980 |
| Died Place | San Quentin State Prison, California, U.S |
Popularity
Richard Chase's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although the details of Richard Chase’s height and weight were not commonly documented, he was described as being of average build during his early crimes. Specific measurements related to his physical appearance are not widely noted in available records.
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | Approx. 5’9” (175 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 180 lbs (82 kg) |
| Body Type | Average |
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Information regarding Richard Chase’s family life is limited, primarily due to his criminal reputation. He had a tumultuous relationship with his parents, which likely contributed to his later actions. As for dating and relationships, Chase had a few brief encounters but was largely characterized as an isolated individual.
Chase was never married, nor did he have a long-term girlfriend or boyfriend. His life was defined more by his criminal actions than by romantic relationships.
Chase was a native of Sacramento, California. His parents were prone to arguing with each other during his childhood. On one camping trip in Oregon, his mother, Beatrice, accused her husband of having an affair with a woman hiding in the bushes, which is described as having ruined this trip.
Chase's mother also said that her husband was annoying her in bed while she was sleeping, and that he must have somehow drugged her to do this. It has been claimed that Chase's father physically disciplined Richard as a child, but that his actions were not out of the ordinary for families during that era.
By the age of 5, Chase privately exhibited evidence of all three parts of the Macdonald triad, a theory suggesting the development of violent psychopathy.
The triad links cruelty to animals, obsession with fire-setting, and persistent bedwetting past the age of five, to violent behaviors, particularly homicidal behavior and sexually predatory behavior. These internal issues did not affect his early school life, with over 60 children coming to one of his birthday parties.
In his adolescence, he was said to be a heavy user of drugs such as marijuana and LSD. As a teenager, Chase also discovered that he was impotent, which prevented him from having sexual relationships with women.
Net Worth and Salary
Richard Chase’s net worth is a complex subject given that he spent much of his adult life incarcerated. He was not known for any legitimate means of income or wealth accumulation. As of 2025, his net worth is considered negligible, and there are no notable earnings or financial assets attributed to him.
Career, Business and Investments
Chase did not have a traditional career path, as his criminal activities overshadowed any potential employment history. His "career," if it can be labeled as such, involved the horrific acts of murder and cannibalism. He gained notoriety through his heinous deeds rather than through any legitimate business endeavors or investments.
Social Network
Due to the nature of his crimes, Richard Chase has no social media presence and is not active in any social networks. His life remains a topic of study and discussion primarily in criminal psychology and history forums, rather than in any social context where personal interaction occurs.
Chase was arrested after this woman came forward and they checked his background. Police who searched Chase's apartment found that the walls, floor, ceiling, refrigerator, and all of Chase's eating and drinking utensils were soaked in blood.
Several dog collars were also found, along with rotting organs, which belonged to animals and some of his victims. He had been reading gun magazines, psychology magazines, a book titled Psychic People and he had circled classified ads in the paper about dogs for sale.
For the dates of the Wallin and Miroth murders, Chase had written the word "today" on a calendar, with the word "today" being written on 44 more dates throughout 1978. At first, Chase wouldn't let police in his apartment, so they loudly spoke to each other outside it, pretending that they were leaving.
This tactic worked, and they got Chase once he left his apartment. When Chase saw police, he initially tried to run from them, and resisted arrest when they tackled him. Chase was armed at the time, and it wasn't known whether David Ferreira was still alive or not, so Detective Wayne Irey contemplated shooting Chase.
He said in 2010, "that's when I found out I'm not like him. Even though it would have been a good shooting, it would have been a justified shooting, I couldn't kill him. And I would have been justified in doing it. Because the average person, cops included, are not like these people. He's a cold blooded killer, and we aren't."
Education
Chase had a troubled educational history, marked by behavioral issues. He attended local schools in California but struggled academically. His mental health challenges further complicated his education, and he was eventually diagnosed with several psychological disorders. This factor played a significant role in shaping his troubled persona and criminal mind.
On May 8, 1979, the jury found Chase guilty of six counts of first degree murder and, rejecting the argument that he was not guilty by reason of insanity, sentenced him to die in the gas chamber. Lead prosecutor Ronald W. Tochterman convinced jurors that Chase, while mentally disturbed, still knew what he was doing was wrong.
Tochterman subsequently said he knew that it was going to be a difficult task trying to convince jurors that Chase was legally sane. Some doctors who interviewed Chase during the trial had come to the same conclusions as Tochterman, which strengthened the case against him.
The fact that Chase wore gloves during the murders helped prove there was a level of premeditation. Farris Salamy said in 2010, "he did a lot of things, which prosecutors will tell you, show that he was thinking. He took rubber gloves with him. But he never, on the other hand, cleaned himself up. People saw this blood on him all the time.
He never got a haircut, he wandered in and out of people's yards. He never seemed to be trying to conceal this appearance, which is kind of the other side of it."
Conclusion
Richard Chase remains one of America's most notorious criminals. His story serves as a grim reminder of the darker side of human nature and the complexities surrounding mental health. In 2025, he continues to be a subject of study and discussion among true crime enthusiasts and professionals in psychology and criminal justice.
