Richard R. Ramirez, a condemned inmate serving a death sentence in California, died Sunday night after being transferred from the California Health Care Facility in Stockton to an outside medical facility. He was 66 years old.
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Ramirez was pronounced dead at approximately 10:20 p.m. on May 24. Officials stated that the San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office will determine the official cause of death following an examination.
Corrections authorities confirmed that Ramirez had been housed at the California Health Care Facility, a specialized state prison medical institution that provides long-term healthcare and mental health treatment for incarcerated individuals with serious medical conditions.
Ramirez entered California state custody on Aug. 15, 1985, following his conviction in Orange County. He had been serving a condemned sentence for first-degree murder committed during the commission of rape and sodomy, along with a firearm enhancement connected to the case.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation noted that there are currently 572 condemned inmates housed within the state prison system. Ramirez remained on death row for decades while in state custody.
The California Health Care Facility in Stockton, which opened in 2013, houses approximately 2,400 incarcerated individuals and employs around 2,500 staff members. The facility is designed to provide specialized care for inmates with severe and ongoing medical or mental health needs.
News of Ramirez’s death has drawn attention due to the length of his incarceration and the seriousness of the crimes connected to his conviction. Authorities have not released additional details regarding his medical condition prior to his death.
Further information is expected following the coroner’s official findings and completion of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his passing.