The Night Stalker refers to Richard Ramirez, an American serial killer and rapist who terrorized Southern California in the mid-1980s. He was linked to at least 13 murders, along with numerous sexual assaults and burglaries. His crimes were characterized by a brutal and random nature, often targeting victims in their homes during the night. Ramirez was apprehended in 1985 after a series of public tips led to his capture. His trial garnered significant media attention, and he was convicted in 1989. He was sentenced to death but died in prison in 2013 from complications related to cancer.