Night Stalker dead: Richard Ramirez dies in California hospital after 24 years on death row

Richard Ramirez – serial killer known as the “Night Stalker” in the 1980’s – has died in hospital in California.

Richard Ramirez, 53, was on death row in San Quentin prison after being convicted in 1989 of 13 murders. The cause of his death has not been made public.

The Night Stalker terrorized Southern California in 1984-5 with a rampage of s**ual assault and murder.

Satanic symbols were left at some of the murder scenes by the killer, who broke into victims’ homes at night.

Richard Ramirez was captured by residents in East Los Angeles in 1985 as he attempted to hijack a car.

A horror film based on Richard Ramirez’s life – titled Night Stalker – was released in 2002.

California has not executed a prisoner on death row since 2006.