Episode 002: The Vampire of Sacramento

In the winter of 1977–78, Sacramento learned that an unlocked door could be an invitation to horror. Richard Trenton Chase — the man the press would call the Vampire of Sacramento — left six families shattered in less than a month.

From Ambrose Griffin unloading groceries in his driveway… to Evelyn Miroth’s home turned into a crime scene… and baby David Ferreira’s life discarded in the most cruel way imaginable, this case forced a community to face a predator who killed without pattern, without mercy, and without knowing his victims at all.

Slide into the shadows, as Ayana Noir takes you through the terror Sacramento still remembers.

References

- Sacramento Bee archives, Dec 29, 1977 – coverage of Ambrose Griffin’s murder.

- Sacramento Bee archives, Jan 23, 1978 – reporting on Teresa Wallin’s murder.

- Sacramento Bee archives, Jan 27–28, 1978 – reporting on Miroth family murders and abduction of David Ferreira.

- Court records, People v. Richard Trenton Chase (1979) – trial transcripts and conviction details.

- Associated Press coverage of Richard Chase’s trial and sentencing, 1979.

- San Quentin Prison records – official note of Richard Chase’s death by suicide, Dec 26, 1980.

- Contemporary psychiatric reports describing Chase’s delusions and prior hospitalizations.

- FBI profiling notes on ritualistic killings, late 1970s (referenced in AP coverage).