What would make a successful magazine editor fall in love with a satanic serial killer is a question that no one may find answers to. Yet, this is the story of Doreen Lioy and the Satanist-cum-serial-killer, Richard Ramirez.
In a year and a half, Ramirez had killed 14 people in their sleep in California. His rampage was so intense that the sales of guns, burglary alarm proofs skyrocketed in that period. It must have been hell for the people who lived where the evil monster paraded.
Nicknamed the Night Stalker, Ramirez was convicted of 13 murders and 11 sexual assaults in 1989. He was condemned to death by the court.
But that’s not the story! The story is about how a respected journalist, Doreen Lioy, deemed it fit to marry a man the whole world has seen his atrocities because she was in love. It doesn’t make any sense to a lot of people. Doreen’s family members had to disown her for her choice. It was incredible. How do you explain this? Doreen wrote Ramirez 75 letters in 11 years and visited him four times a week before his death. She was so committed to him that somehow, they found a way to marry while he was in prison. This is such a remarkable story! Let’s dig in on who Doreen Lioy is.
Table of Contents
Who is Doreen Lioy?
There aren’t so many details on the background of Doreen Lioy. But we know she was born in Burbank, California, in 1955. But, of course, her upbringing is different from her late partner, as she pursued a relatively successful career in journalism. Lioy worked as an editor for one of the most prominent magazines in the 1970s and early 1980s.
As an editor, many have credited her with helping them become the stars they are today. One of them is actor John Stamos, who revealed how Lioy helped him become a celebrity in an interview. In one of his many interviews, Stamos recalled that Lioy was a lonely woman. But, he didn’t think that loneliness should have driven her to marry a monster in Richard Ramirez.
Who is Richard Ramirez, The Serial Killer?
Commonly, most serial killers usually had it awful growing up. They are typically exposed to all sorts of vices growing up, and these vices form the basis of their orientation to killing. For example, on February 29, 1960, Richard Ramirez was born in El Paso, Texas. Reports say he was brutally abused by his father and had several injuries on his body as a child. In addition, he witnessed his cousin, Miguel, who is a Vietnam veteran kill his wife.
With all of these happening, Ramirez resorted to drugs. Not only drugs, but he also became invested in satanism. He became a thief and a drugs pusher. But as soon as he moved to California, his crime became even more violent.
From rape to sexual assaults and then killing both males and females, young and old, he left no prisoner. From 1984 to 1985, Ramirez dubbed the Night Stalker, killed 14 people. It was difficult to catch him at first, but new technology from the LAPD saw him arrested. One of his victims aided the arrest, who helped with a vivid description of him.
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Doreen Lioy And Richard Ramirez: The Strange Attraction
It was as if Doreen Lioy was waiting for Richard to be arrested. As soon as Ramirez was taken into custody, Lioy realized she loved him. What made people wonder was, Lioy wasn’t interested in the horrific crimes he had committed. She even defended him outside the prison – vehemently. She was sure Ramirez was not guilty despite the pieces of evidence. She was told CNN that he was a good man and that people have the wrong perception about him, “He’s kind, he’s funny, he’s charming,” she told CNN. “I think he’s a great person. He’s my best friend; he’s my buddy.”
After collecting the evidence, Ramirez was sentenced to death in 1989. After that, the only visitor he had was Doreen Lioy, who frequented the Quentin State Prison. Despised by the public for her affinity to the monster, she didn’t care and was bent on marrying him. On October 3, 1996, she got her wish and married the killer in prison. Instead of gold rings, Doreen Lioy used bands to signify their marriage. Satanists don’t use gold, and Lioy understood that perfectly. Sad to say, but the marriage didn’t last long, obviously.
Where is Doreen Lioy Today?
Relatives deserted her. Of course, what did she expect when she was not only dining with the devil but in love with the devil. So many people didn’t understand her rationale for marrying Ramirez. However, the relationship didn’t end well. There are speculations that they stopped seeing before Ramirez died. Some reports believe that it dawned on her when Doreen found out that Ramirez had murdered a nine-year-old girl after raping her. However, another faction believed the deteriorating health of Ramirez could have caused the separation. Nobody knows where Doreen Lioy is today.
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How Did Richard Ramirez Die?
Even though he was sentenced to death, Ramirez was not executed. He, however, died of complications from B-cell lymphoma in 2013. Since his death, Lioy has not been seen anywhere.
Conclusion
Some truly find love in a hopeless place. If you doubt that, Doreen Lioy should come to mind.
