How Richard Ramirez’s Bad Teeth An End To His Terror

Richard Ramirez, a serial killer, haunted California for nearly a year. He was dubbed the "Night Stalker" because he broke into homes, brutally attacked the individuals inside, and stole their goods. Those who survived his attacks, however, frequently mentioned Richard Ramirez's teeth.

They were in poor condition. Ramirez's deteriorated teeth, whether rotten or missing, gave him a gaping, evil sneer that left an imprint on his victims. Ramirez's considerable dental work also blasted a hole in his alibi.

This is the tale of Richard Ramirez's teeth and how they contributed to the Night Stalker's downfall.

Richard Ramirez Murder Spree

Richard Ramirez terrorized communities in northern and southern California between June 1984 and August 1985. He kidnapped and molested children, broke into people's homes, and murdered, raped, and tormented his victims.

Unlike other killers who may have targeted a specific sort of person or location, Ramirez was chillingly indiscriminate. He targeted men and women, young and elderly, couples, young families, and single people.

Ramirez also frequently modified the manner in which he killed or attacked people. He employed firearms, knives, and his hands and feet. He threatened to "rip" one victim's eyes out, demanded that another "swear to Satan," and then asked that his victims call him the Night Stalker later in his binge. Ramirez even switched states, from southern California to northern California.

However, many of his victims noted the same thing in their assailant. The Night Stalker have crooked teeth.

Victims' Recollections of Richard Ramirez's Teeth

The teeth of Richard Ramirez left a mark. He had grown up eating sugary cereal and drinking Coca-Cola to start his days; as an adult, he developed a serious cocaine addiction. Both of his unhealthy habits were evident in his teeth, which were already starting to decay and fall out.

And his victims still think of them. Somkid Khovananth described Ramirez as having "dark skin, poor teeth, thirty to thirty-five, 150 pounds, six foot one or so" after he broke into her home, assaulted her, and killed her husband in July 1985.

He had "dirty and crooked teeth," according to Sakina Abowath, who tragically lost her husband in Ramirez's savage attack on their home a month later.

Additionally, the two survivors, Sophie Dickman and Lillian Doi, both reported to the authorities that their attacker had poor dental hygiene.

Regarding witness accounts and the footprints that law enforcement had captured, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department lead detective Frank Salerno recalled, "Our biggest clues were his teeth and feet." "We concentrated our efforts there."

In fact, Richard Ramirez's teeth aided in the identification of the Night Stalker by the police.

Ramirez fled in a stolen Toyota after trying unsuccessfully to kidnap a victim in northeast Los Angeles. He then left the automobile after being stopped for a traffic violation. But when the cops got their hands on it, they discovered a critical piece of information: an appointment card for Chinatown dentist Dr. Peter Leung.

Testimony That Is Unsettling Regarding The Night Stalker's Teeth

During the Night Stalker's trial, Richard Ramirez's teeth received a lot of attention. Dentists testified that he was missing teeth from both his upper and lower gums, and that nine of his teeth were decaying.

Ramirez's teeth were also mentioned by numerous witnesses. Ramirez had "hardly any teeth" and the smile of a "killer clown," according to Ester Petschar, who had witnessed Ramirez purchasing an AC/DC hat that was later discovered at a crime scene.

And when Ramirez entered the Los Angeles Public Library, Glen Creason, a librarian there, noticed his "very awful, rotten teeth."

Richard Ramirez's teeth ultimately led to his end. Ramirez's father, Julian, attempted to give his son an alibi during his trial by stating that the murderer had visited family in El Paso between May 29 and May 30, 1985. The Night Stalker had also sexually assaulted and killed Florance Lang, 81, Mabel Bell, 83, and Carol Kyle, 42, during that time.

However, Ramirez's dentist, Leung, had documentation confirming he had seen a dentist in Los Angeles during that time. In other words, Ramirez had been in the city and not in El Paso during the vicious Night Stalker attacks in May.

Ramirez received 19 death sentences after being found guilty of 13 murders, five attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults, and 14 burglaries. But that's not where the story of Richard Ramirez's teeth ends.

What Later Became Of His Teeth

It may not come as a surprise that Richard Ramirez decided to have his teeth fixed while he was incarcerated given how much emphasis the prosecution placed on Ramirez's teeth during his trial.

He immediately sought the assistance of Dr. Alfred Otero, a jail dentist, who performed a root canal, provided him with fillings, and fixed his nine rotting teeth.

The Night Stalker had at least 13 people killed and at least 20 others raped or tortured by the time he was captured. He converted people's homes into crime scenes, leaving survivors with severe trauma.