The Night Stalker: Part 1

Step back into the sweltering summers of 1984 and 1985 as we unravel the chilling true story of Richard Ramirez — the man who would become known as "The Night Stalker." In this gripping first part of our two-episode special, we examine the wave of violence that swept across California, leaving fear and chaos in its wake. From quiet Los Angeles neighborhoods to the bustling streets of San Francisco, Ramirez’s crimes shocked the nation. His attacks were brutal, random, and terrifying — his victims ranged from 6 to 83 years old. Armed with guns, knives, and even a tire iron, he murdered, raped, and tortured without warning. Satanic symbols, chilling messages, and gruesome mutilations became his trademarks, deepening the public’s horror and fascination. In this episode, we explore: A Pattern of Chaos – Ramirez’s varied methods and diverse victim profiles confounded investigators, who initially believed multiple killers might be involved. Statewide Panic – California, already shaken by serial killers like the Golden State Killer and Ted Bundy, was now consumed by fear amid the growing Satanic Panic of the 1980s. The Relentless Hunt – Detectives like Gil Carrillo and Frank Salerno pushed past skepticism and setbacks, using a shoe print, stolen car, and eventually a fingerprint to close in on their suspect. The Public Strikes Back – On August 31, 1985, citizens recognized Ramirez and chased him down, beating and holding him until police arrived, ending one of the most terrifying killing sprees in American history. This episode dives deep into the brutality and chaos Ramirez left behind. In Part 2, we’ll examine his trial, public obsession, and the disturbing psychology of a killer. ............................ True Criminals – Winner of the 2025 True Crime Award for Outstanding Independent Podcast Share Your Thoughts and Questions: Connect with us via email at [e-mail]. We’d love to hear from you! Follow Us: Instagram: @true.criminals Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Support Us: If you love the podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TrueCriminals Connect with Martin Brunt: Twitter: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book: No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Read Here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero: Instagram: @helenfospero Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen Here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 Credits: True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Researcher: Becca Stinton Audio Production: Andrew Chappell Music Composition: Chap Mannequin Artwork: Bleached Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices