How 'The Night Stalker' of LA Could Not Outrun Mass Media

     The year was 1984 in Los Angeles. The city was in a celebratory mood, the Summer Olympics were being held and no one could be down. However, a dark evil would follow during this time leaving residents in Southern California fear for their lives. This paranoia would be cause by a violent serial killer know by many names. But one name that stuck was the Night Stalker. The case would leave at least 13 victims dead and multiple break ins, Leaving police questioning for more than a year. Though in this case, the media was able to help in his capture. which caused the public to work together and finally put an end to the horrors of the Night Stalker. 

    Now, before we dive into how the Night Stalker was caught, let us first go over the reign of terror and the victims effected. The first victim of the Night Stalker was 79 year old Jennie Vincow. The night of June 28th, 2984, the Night Stalker got into her home by cutting the screen door of her home and stabbed her. The murder was vicious and gruesome and becomes a pattern in the Night Stalker's break ins. The next case of the Night Stalker was Maria Hernandez and Dayle Okazaki. Maria was able to survive the attack by the bullet reflected off her keys. Many of the killings were similar to these two cases.The killer also left signs that he was there through the use of satanic symbols or messages. The police were left with sparse clues and no real suspect. The public was in a panic and many locking their doors and the city was left uneasy, demanding answers from the police.

    The police had some breakthroughs that lead to the capture of the Night Stalker. One key piece of evidence was a business card to a dentist the suspect had gone to. Detective were able to get a name of 'Richard Mena' but were unable to intercept the killer at the dentists office again. Then, a witness was able to give the police a car description that the killer had took. Another tip was given to the police that a car with the same description was stolen and had the same license plate number. The car had been found in a parking lot abandoned, and the police had a breakthrough: a finger print. At the same time, the police got a tip from a man from Northern California had a friend of a friend say that they could be the Night Stalker, his name was Richard Ramirez. The police found 8 people with the name Richard Ramirez in their system and was able to match the finger print of a man who had committed grand theft auto and other petty crimes. The police were now armed with a photo and a name, sent it to all major media companies at the time. 

    By the next morning, the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and all major television channels had his face and name on them. Richard Ramirez the was spotted at a liquor store and began to ran. People started recognizing him wherever he went and when trying to carjack a women, he was mobbed and was ultimately arrested. Richard Ramirez was then sentenced to 19 death penalties. The people of Los Angeles were relieved that the Night Stalker was finally captured. Now, lets talk about the media's play in the capture. If it were not for the police releasing the picture to the public, I believe he would not have been found so quickly. The people saw the face behind the crime and band together to make sure he would not get away. The citizens of Los Angeles were able to face the Night Stalker and not be afraid. This case was able to be solved by people seeing his face on every news channel and paper. Richard Ramirez was in a panic, but could not run from his crimes. 


References

Learish, J. (2021, May 21). Richard Ramirez: The story, the evidence, the Night Stalker. Www.cbsnews.co m. https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/richard-ramirez-night-stalker-murders/45/

‌Mustafa, T., & Nuttman, D. (2021, January 13). Who were “Night Stalker” Richard Ramirez’s

    victims? The US Sun. https://www.the-sun.com/news/2132378/night-stalker-richard-ramirez-victims-        who/

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer. (2021, January 13). Netflix.com. https://www.netflix.com/ watch/81026479?trackId=200257859

‌

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