Who is Doreen Lioy? Details on the Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes explored

Who is Doreen Lioy? Details on the Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes explored
Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes will premiere on Peacock (Representative image via Unsplash)

Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes is set to air on December 10, 2024, on Peacock. The series delves into the crimes of Richard Ramirez, the notorious serial killer known as the 'Night Stalker'. It will include never-heard-before tapes of Ramirez, discussing his crimes and his mindset during the 1980s California terror.

Doreen Lioy got married to Ramirez in 1996. Though unexpected, Doreen was reportedly madly in love with Ramirez.

Richard Ramirez, whose crime spree made him a notorious American criminal, had a major impact on Greater Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area with his violent crimes. Abuse, neglect, and violence in Ramirez's childhood reportedly shaped his criminality.

His crimes included home invasions, murder, and s**ual assault. He randomly selected targets, instilling fear and panic in the communities he attacked. His method was to break into homes at night, commit heinous crimes, and leave his victims terrified.

Ramirez left Satanic symbols at crime scenes and considered himself a servant of Satan, highlighting his interest in Satanism and the occult. Witness testimony, media coverage, and fingerprint identification led to his 1985 arrest. After his 1989 conviction, Ramirez was sentenced to death. He died on death row in 2013.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes. Reader's discretion is needed.


Doreen Lioy: A major part of Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes

Doreen Lioy is an American woman who gained public attention for marrying Richard Ramirez, the infamous 'Night Stalker'. She was born in Burbank, California in 1955.

According to a SFGate article published in March 2005, before meeting Ramirez, Lioy was a magazine editor, working in the field of publishing. She had no history or association with crime but became drawn to Ramirez after learning about his case in the 1980s.


How Doreen Lioy became Richard Ramirez’s wife

Imagery for 'Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes' (Representative image via Unsplash)
Imagery for 'Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes' (Representative image via Unsplash)

Lioy and Ramirez’s relationship began in 1985, the same year Ramirez was arrested for his series of crimes. Lioy became fond of him. She started writing to Ramirez while he was in jail, and their correspondence quickly grew into an intense bond.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 1996, Lioy mentioned,

“This is a feeling that began for me as long ago as that Friday, Aug. 30, 1985, the night before he was arrested and police broke into the television show I was watching to broadcast his picture. Looking back, I see it was a turning point for me. They showed his mug shot in the middle of ‘Dallas,’ and I saw something in his eyes. Something that captivated me."

Lioy said that she fell in love with Ramirez through his letters. Their communication continued for over a decade, and during this time, she became emotionally attached to him. The duo got married on October 3, 1996, in San Quentin State Prison. However, no one from Lioy's family took part in the wedding.

As mentioned by Oxygen,

"A photo of the couple on their wedding day features them holding hands in front of a wall painted with mountains and trees. Ramirez, then 36, stood with one arm around his bride's shoulder, while Lioy, then 41, wore a white, long-sleeved bridal dress."

Doreen was not allowed any conjugal visits with her husband.


Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes: Doreen Lioy’s trust in he husband

'Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes': Doreen Lioy’s trust in her husband (Representative image via Unsplash)
'Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes': Doreen Lioy’s trust in her husband (Representative image via Unsplash)

Doreen Lioy asserted that she maintained her belief in Ramirez's innocence for an extended period, even after his conviction, reportedly asserting that he was a victim of a discriminatory judicial system.

She frequently participated in interviews, articulating her perspective that Ramirez was misinterpreted and unjustly portrayed by the media. Lioy also noted that she observed an alternative aspect of him— one characterized by affection and compassion.

'Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes' (Representative image via Unsplash)
'Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes' (Representative image via Unsplash)

She steadfastly maintained that the media had amplified his persona, and she persisted in her support throughout the legal proceedings.

However, the reality of her situation became more complex over time, as many began to question her reasoning for staying by his side. Lioy’s relationship with Ramirez drew public criticism and alienated her from many people, including her family and friends.


Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes: Lioy's life after marrying Ramirez

Symbolic image for 'Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes' (Image via Unsplash)
Symbolic image for 'Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes' (Image via Unsplash)

Lioy's life changed after she married Richard Ramirez, with friends and family starting to stay away from her, and many worried about her choice to marry a convicted serial killer.

Her support for Ramirez continued despite public pressure and the horror of his crimes. Doreen Lioy visited him on death row regularly and attempted to preserve his legacy, rejecting the idea that he was a cold-blooded killer.


The distancing Doreen Lioy faced

Symbolic image for 'Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes' (Image via Unsplash)
Symbolic image for 'Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes' (Image via Unsplash)

The public, her family, and friends grew apart from Doreen Lioy over the years. Many were shocked by Lioy's loyalty to Ramirez, and some people, especially family members, ended ties with her. Doreen's twin sister, Denise, said to LA Times:

"Our only connection is that we were born together."

In the same interview, Doreen how being married to a serial killer made her feel alone.

"Because of my love for Richard, I have given up family, home, employment and my friends. And people say, ‘Why?’ Obviously, it’s not to write about it or to sell a book. Clearly if I was interested in something literary, it would’ve turned into something 10 years ago."

Lioy's public support for Ramirez strained her personal life. Her portrayal as a supporter in the media further isolated her from society. She was shunned and portrayed as a tragic figure in denial.


Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes will premiere on December 10, 2024, on Peacock.

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Edited by Ahana Mukhopadhyay
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