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SF Cops Tie Night Stalker to 1984 Girl Killing

DNA links serial killer to slaying of 9-year-old

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 23, 2009 2:30 AM CDT
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(Newser) – San Francisco police believe they have uncovered another killing by the "Night Stalker" serial killer who terrorized the Bay Area in the '80s. DNA evidence has linked Richard Ramirez to the 1984 murder of 9-year-old Mei Leung, who was sexually assaulted and killed in the basement of a hotel. The breakthrough was made by homicide detective Holly Pera, who was a rookie at the time of Leung's slaying and never lost interest in the case.

"I was a new police officer at the time. That's part of the reason that the case was relooked at," Pera told CNN. "It's the type of case as a new officer, a case involving a little girl, that you don't forget." The victim's family members have been contacted and are grateful to learn of the breakthrough, said a police official. Ramirez, who has been on death row since being convicted of 13 murders in 1988, is a suspect in several other unsolved killings.

David Shinn, deputy chief of the San Francisco police department, speaks during a news conference while standing beside a photograph of Night Stalker Richard Ramirez yesterday.
David Shinn, deputy chief of the San Francisco police department, speaks during a news conference while standing beside a photograph of "Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez yesterday.   (AP Photo/Russel A. Daniels)
Police mugshot of Richard Ramirez, who was convicted of 13 murders in 1988.
Police mugshot of Richard Ramirez, who was convicted of 13 murders in 1988.   (Wikipedia)
Night Stalker murderer Richard Ramirez enters court in 1988 when he was convicted of murdering 13 women.
"Night Stalker" murderer Richard Ramirez enters court in 1988 when he was convicted of murdering 13 women.
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San Francisco • murder • serial killers • child murder • Richard Ramirez

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