Richard Ramirez, also known as the Night Stalker, was an American serial killer and sex offender active in California during the 1980s. The provided Wikipedia excerpt details his life, including a troubled childhood marked by abuse and exposure to violence, his extensive crime spree involving numerous murders, rapes, and burglaries, his eventual capture and conviction, and his subsequent incarceration and death. The text also covers his legacy in popular culture, with mentions of various films, songs, and documentaries based on his life and crimes. His crimes, often committed during nighttime break-ins, terrorized communities in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area for over a year.