Richard Ramirez was an American serial killer and rapist who terrorized California in the mid-1980s. He was dubbed the “Night Stalker” by the media and is believed to have killed at least 14 people and sexually assaulted dozens of others (Hall, 2020). Ramirez hid from the police for months, but one of the surviving victims of the rapist was able to remember the numbers of his car, and the killer’s fatal negligence helped to catch him soon (Hall, 2020). He was convicted in 1989 and sentenced to death, but died of natural causes while awaiting execution in 2013. During his trial, Richard was portrayed as a loner with few friends and little employment history (Henrriques & Lynn, 2020). He had worked as a day laborer, busboy, and dishwasher, but Richard never held a steady job. Experts suggest that family problems, drug addiction, and an inadequate thirst for fame led Ramirez to commit crimes, while the murders themselves fit perfectly under the Theory of Rational Choice (Thomas et al., 2020). All of the above factors led to the emergence of a serial killer, spreading terror throughout California for months.
Background and Causes of the Crime
Born in El Paso, Texas, in 1960, Richard Ramirez grew up in an abusive and dysfunctional family. His father was a former police officer and combat veteran who was often drunk and violent and regularly abused his wife and children. Ramirez’s older cousin, Mike, was also a violent criminal who often shared stories of his exploits with the young boy. Consequently, Ramirez was fascinated by crime and soon began to emulate his cousin’s behavior. As a teenager, Ramirez dropped out of high school and began to use drugs heavily. He was arrested multiple times for drug possession and burglary, but never served any significant jail time. After that, Richard relocated to Los Angeles in 1984, where the future “Night Stalker” began his crime spree (Hall, 2020). The alcoholism of the father and the criminal life of the brother played a decisive role in the moral decay of the young man (Henrriques & Lynn, 2020). It was the family factor that became decisive for Ramirez’s future. He was a disturbed and troubled individual, whose violent past and chaotic family life helped shape him into one of the most notorious serial killers in American history.
Theory of Crime: Rational Choice Theory
The rational choice theory is the most widely accepted crime theory that fits Richard Ramirez. It states that crime is the result of a conscious decision made by an individual based on a cost-benefit analysis (Thomas et al., 2020). In other words, an individual will weigh the pros and cons of committing a certain crime, and if the benefits outweigh the risks, they will go ahead and commit the crime. This crime model can be used to explain the Night Stalker’s criminal behavior. Rational Choice Theory is also the basis of most serial murders. He believed that the rewards of committing the crimes—fame, attention, and recognition—outweighed the costs, such as the risk of being caught, sent to prison, or even executed (Thomas et al., 2020). Ramirez was an intelligent and calculating criminal who planned his decisions meticulously, often targeting victims who were vulnerable and unable to defend themselves.
Theory of Crime: Motive for Crime
Ramirez’s actions were motivated by his desire for power and control. He wanted to be feared and respected and chose to commit violent acts to achieve this goal (Henriques & Lynn, 2020). Ramirez targeted certain victims and locations that would grant him the greatest control and power. The serial killer attacked elderly women and children, waited for his victims in dark alleys, and skillfully concealed any evidence of his crimes. In many ways, this is what makes serial killers stand out, because they commit repeated crimes over several months or even years, which requires some calculation, patience, and thoughtfulness (Thomas et al., 2020). The rational choice theory also applies to Ramirez’s decision to continue his criminal activities even after he was caught. Richard was willing to take the risks associated with his actions in order to reap the rewards.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Richard was a drug addict and a morally unstable person with a difficult childhood. His father and brother led him to the beginning of a criminal path, while drug addiction started a series of murders. In terms of forensics, Ramirez used a calculated approach to crime, which can be described by rational choice theory, which helped him hide from the police for a long time. He was an intelligent and calculating criminal who weighed the costs and benefits of his actions and decided that the rewards of his criminal activity—such as fame and recognition—outweighed the risks. Although Richard Ramirez was never found guilty of any one crime, his murderous rampage left a lasting impact on the people of California.
References
Hall, S. (2020). The World Encyclopedia of Serial Killers: Volume Three, M–S. WildBlue Press.
Henrriques, N., & Lynn, T. (2020). The psychology of a serial killer.
Thomas, K. J., Loughran, T. A., & Hamilton, B. C. (2020). Perceived arrest risk, psychic rewards, and offense specialization: A partial test of rational choice theory. Criminology, 58(3), 485 -509.