Who Is Richard Ramirez? Age, Biography and Wiki
Richard Ramirez was born on February 29, 1960, in El Paso, Texas, USA. He earned infamy as an American serial killer and sex offender, committing numerous heinous crimes during the mid-1980s. His chilling notoriety stemmed from a string of violent assaults and murders across California, which left an indelible mark on the psyche of the nation. Ramirez was captured in 1985 and subsequently convicted for 13 counts of murder. He died in prison on June 7, 2013, but his legacy continues to haunt the streets of Los Angeles.
| Occupation | Serial Killers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 29, 1960 |
| Age | 53 Years |
| Birth Place | El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 7 June, 2013 |
| Died Place | Greenbrae, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Richard Ramirez's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although specifics about his physical appearance are less discussed than his crimes, Richard Ramirez stood at approximately 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighed around 170 pounds (77 kg) at the time of his arrest. His striking looks were often commented on, adding to his morbid allure.
On June 28, 1984, 79-year-old Jennie Vincow was found murdered in her apartment in Glassell Park, Los Angeles. She had been stabbed repeatedly in the head, neck and chest while asleep in her bed, and her throat slashed so deeply that she was nearly decapitated.
Ramirez's fingerprint was found on a mesh screen he removed to gain access through an open window.
This, his second known murder, established his pattern of breaking into homes, committing particularly vicious murders, and frequently burglarizing his victims either before or after killing them, which was mainly to support his drug addiction and pay his rent.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Richard Ramirez had a tumultuous personal life marked by his criminal activities. He came from a large family with several siblings. His family background included a history of violence, which factors into his psychological profile.
Regarding his romantic life, Ramirez was known to have had several relationships during his time in prison, with notable attention drawn to his marriage to Doreen Lioy, a pen-pal who was captivated by his persona. However, in 2025, discussions around his relationships remained primarily historical.
Ramirez's crimes were heavily influenced by a troubled childhood. Frequently abused by his father, he developed brain damage and started abusing drugs at the age of 10.
He began developing macabre interests in his early and mid-teens from his older cousin, a Vietnam War veteran with schizophrenia and PTSD, who extensively bragged about the war crimes he had committed, and who killed his wife in front of Ramirez when Ramirez was 15.
Ramirez learned military skills from him that he would later employ during his killing spree. He also cultivated a strong interest in Satanism and the occult. By the time he had left his home in Texas and moved to California at the age of 22, Ramirez began to frequently use cocaine.
He would often commit burglaries to support his drug addiction, many of which were later frequently accompanied by murders, attempted murders, rapes, attempted rapes, and battery.
Net Worth and Salary
While exact figures regarding Richard Ramirez's net worth are challenging to ascertain, it is generally understood that his criminal activities did not provide any legitimate means of financial gain. The publicity and infamy surrounding his trials and life did not translate into wealth, leaving him with limited earnings and assets at the time of his death. His financial dealings were mostly tied to unpaid legal fees and prison costs, placing his net worth at a meager estimate of around $1,000 at his demise.
Career, Business and Investments
Ramirez's "career" was primarily defined by his criminal actions rather than legitimate work. His life of crime began in adolescence and peaked during the infamous series of murders and rapes in California. He was never known to hold a conventional job as his primary focus was his criminal activities.
Posthumously, Ramirez's case has inspired various books, documentaries, and even entertainment projects, giving rise to a unique, albeit macabre, "business" surrounding his infamy through true crime media.
Social Network
Richard Ramirez's notoriety sparked considerable media attention during his trial, leading to a strong social media presence in the true crime community. Following his death, forums and social media platforms continue to discuss and analyze his life and crimes. However, Ramirez himself was never active on any social media platform, as these came to prominence long after his arrest.
On August 30, 1985, Ramirez took a bus to Tucson, Arizona, to visit his brother, unaware that he had become the lead story in virtually every major newspaper and television news program across California. After failing to meet his brother due to his not being home, he returned to Los Angeles early on the morning of August 31.
He walked past police officers, who were staking out the bus terminal in hopes of catching the killer should he attempt to flee on an outbound bus, and into a convenience store in East Los Angeles.
Education
There is limited information on Richard Ramirez's formal education. He dropped out of high school around the 9th grade, and his education was heavily influenced by surrounding chaos, including a tumultuous family life and exposure to violence at an early age. It is suggested that his lack of education contributed to his anti-social behavior later in life.
The murder spree terrorized the residents of Greater Los Angeles and later the San Francisco Bay Area over the course of fourteen months. However, his first known murder occurred as early as April 1984; this crime was not connected to Ramirez, nor was it known to be his doing, until 2009.
Ramirez used a wide variety of weapons, including handguns, various types of knives, a machete, a tire iron and a claw hammer.
He punched, pistol whipped, and strangled many of his victims, both with his hands and in one instance a ligature; stomped at least one victim to death in her sleep; and tortured another by shocking her with a live electrical cord.
Ramirez also frequently enjoyed degrading and humiliating his victims, especially those who survived his attacks or whom he explicitly decided not to kill.
