California’s ‘Night Stalker’ serial killer Richard Ramirez dies

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – California corrections officials say convicted serial killer Richard Ramirez, known as the Night Stalker, has died.

San Quentin State Prison spokesman Lt. Sam Robinson says Ramirez died Friday morning. He had recently been taken from death row to a hospital.

Ramirez was convicted of 13 murders that terrorized Southern California in 1984 and ’85, and sentenced to death.

Satanic symbols were left at murder scenes and some victims were forced to “swear to Satan” by the killer, who entered homes through unlocked windows and doors.

Ramirez was captured and beaten in 1985 by residents of an East Los Angeles neighbourhood while attempting a carjacking.