Who Is ‘Night Stalker’ Richard Ramirez’s Wife Doreen Lioy? What We Know

The story of Richard Ramirez, one of America’s most notorious serial killers, continues to captivate public attention decades after his reign of terror.

While much has been written about his horrific crimes, the story of Doreen Lioy, the woman who married him after his conviction, remains one of true crime’s most perplexing narratives, highlighting the complex psychology of those drawn to infamous killers.

Here’s what to know about the killer’s wife ahead of Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes premiering December 10 on Peacock.

Who was Richard Ramirez?

Richard Ramirez, infamously known as the “Night Stalker,” terrorized Southern California in 1984 and 1985 through a series of brutal home invasions, murders and sexual assaults.

His capture came after one of the most extensive manhunts in California history, ending when residents of an East Los Angeles neighborhood recognized him from media coverage and chased him down.

After his arrest in 1985, he was convicted of 13 murders, with his victims having been bludgeoned with hammers, stabbed or shot.

Throughout his trial and imprisonment, Ramirez embraced satanic imagery, leaving occult symbols at crime scenes. His courtroom behavior became notorious as he openly embraced his demonic persona, creating a macabre spectacle that drew national attention.

What we know about Richard Ramirez’s wife, Doreen Lioy

Doreen Lioy grew up with her twin sister, Denise, in Burbank, California, according to the Los Angeles Times. While working as a magazine editor, Lioy first saw Ramirez’s mug shot on television the night before his arrest in August 1985.

“I saw something in his eyes,” Lioy told the publication in 1996. “Something that captivated me. It wasn’t as if I knew him. But there was something in his eyes…maybe the vulnerability, I don’t really know.”

During their 11-year courtship, Lioy sent approximately 75 letters to Ramirez, as reported by SFGate. She became a fixture at San Quentin State Prison, visiting him four times weekly.

The Los Angeles Times reported that she carried breath mints to their visits, explaining that it was so she could “kiss with confidence.” When confronted about her unusual choice of partner, she would dismissively respond, “Hometown girl makes bad.”

The couple married at San Quentin State Prison on October 3, 1996. Lioy, then 41, wore a traditional white, long-sleeved bridal dress. According to The New York Times, Ramirez refused to wear a gold wedding band, stating that “Satanists don’t wear gold,” and instead chose platinum.

After the ceremony, Lioy expressed her joy to reporters: “It feels wonderful. I’m so happy. I’m so thrilled, very proud, and a little relieved that the bulk of the day is over.”

The Los Angeles Times reported that the couple was not permitted conjugal visits during their marriage.

How did Richard Ramirez die?

Ramirez died on June 7, 2013, at Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae, California. Prison records indicate complications from B-cell lymphoma caused his death.

Medical reports revealed he had also suffered from chronic substance abuse and chronic hepatitis C viral infection. He was 53 years old at the time of his death.

Despite spending decades on death row at San Quentin Prison, Ramirez was never executed due to California’s moratorium on capital punishment.

Prison spokesperson Samuel Robinson confirmed that by the time of Ramirez’s death, Lioy was no longer listed as his next of kin, with his blood relatives designated as family contacts instead. His body went unclaimed, and he was subsequently cremated.

How can I watch ‘Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes’?

Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes premieres December 10, exclusively on Peacock.