Mar 87 min read

Psychopath Who Drank the Blood of Women & Animals - Known As “The Vampire Killer”

Certain cases stand out for their grotesque and disturbing nature in the chilling stories of true crime. One such case is the saga of Richard Chase, a man whose insatiable thirst for blood left a trail of terror in its wake.

This blog explores the haunting details of Chase's life, his descent into madness, and the gruesome acts that earned him the notorious moniker of "The Vampire Killer."

Early Life

Richard Trenton Chase was born in Santa Clara, California on May 23, 1950. Richard Chase grew up in a moderate-income family. A cooperative and sweet kid with an average IQ.

His troubles began around age 12 when his parents' marriage turned turbulent. His mother accused his father of infidelity, poisoning her, and drug use. This discord lasted nearly ten years, leading to his parents' divorce. Richard's father later stated that these intense family conflicts might have influenced Richard.

Despite having girlfriends in high school, his struggles with getting an erection mirrored traits common among necrophilic criminals.

Chase's disturbing tendencies did not go unnoticed, and his family struggled to cope with the ominous signs. The early chapters of Chase's life were a prelude to the horrors that awaited, leaving an indelible mark on the history of true crime.

Hypochondriac Behaviour

As Richard Chase reached adulthood, hypochondriac behavior added another layer of weirdness to his already disturbed psyche. He frequently complained about his heart "stop beating" and even believed someone had stolen his pulmonary artery. To cope, he used to place oranges on his head, convinced that Vitamin C could be absorbed into his brain.

Chase thought his cranial bones were detached and moving, prompting him to shave his head to observe this imagined activity closely. The hypochondria further exemplified the extent of his delusions and irrational beliefs.

The Descent into Psychiatric Ward

After a short stay in a psychiatric ward for his mind troubles in 1973, things got worse for Richard Chase in 1976. He did something extraordinary by injecting the rabbit's blood into his body. This landed him in a mental institution because it was not normal. The staff in the hospital called him "Dracula" because he was so obsessed with blood. While there, he did scary things like breaking the necks of birds and drinking their blood. He even took blood from therapy dogs using stolen syringes.

Doctors said he had paranoid schizophrenia, a kind of mental illness. They gave him medicines and said he could return to regular life in 1976. He went to live with his mom, who stopped his medications. Later, he had his apartment, but his roommates left him alone.

In 1977, Chase got into trouble again in Nevada. Cops found him covered in blood with a bucket of cow's blood in his truck. It was creepy, but they didn't charge him with anything. This part of Chase's story shows how tough it can be to handle mental health problems, even with help from doctors and hospitals.

The Grim Bloodsheds

Chase's gruesome acts commenced in 1977, creating an atmosphere of terror in the Sacramento area.

His first known victim, Ambrose Griffin, fell prey to a drive-by shooting. Griffin, a 51-year-old engineer and father of two, became the unfortunate target of Chase's deranged violence.

Two weeks later, Chase attempted to invade the apartment of another unsuspecting woman. His twisted logic dictated that locked doors meant he wasn't welcome, while unlocked doors signaled an invitation. A couple returning home caught him in the act, chasing him away. Moreover, he contaminated their child's bed and clothing with urine and feces.

The climax of Chase's brutality occurred on January 23, 1978, when he invaded Teresa Wallin's home. He mercilessly shot the 3-month-pregnant Wallin, engaging in a heinous act of necrophilia, i.e., sexual intercourse with the dead body. His monstrous actions included removing organs, cutting off a nipple, and consuming her blood. As if the horror wasn't enough, he forced dog feces down Wallin's throat before leaving.

Just four days later, Chase struck again, entering the home of 38-year-old Evelyn Miroth. He shot Miroth, her six-year-old son Jason, and her 22-month-old nephew David Ferreira. His gross acts extended to mutilating Miroth, engaging in necrophilia, and even cannibalism. A visitor's unexpected knock startled Chase, prompting him to flee in the victim's car, taking Ferreira's body with him.

Chase's arrest ensued shortly after that, revealing a chilling scene in his apartment.

Every conceivable surface, from walls to eating utensils, was soaked in the blood of his victims. The horrifying handprints and shoe imprints left behind were haunting reminders of the atrocities committed by the Vampire Killer.

The community, forever scarred by the brutality of Chase's actions, grappled with the reality of a man who had descended into the depths of madness, leaving behind a legacy of horror that would not easily be forgotten.

The Ritualistic Killings

His primary targets were women and animals, chosen seemingly at random. Armed with firearms and knives, Chase continued a killing spree that would leave the community paralyzed with fear.

Chase's mode of operation involved entering his victims' homes uninvited, catching them off guard. Once inside, he unleashed unspeakable horrors.

His killings were not merely acts of violence but ritualistic ceremonies where he would indulge in acts of necrophilia and cannibalism. The brutality of his crimes shocked even expert investigators.

The Bloodlust

What set Chase apart from other serial killers was his obsession with blood. He would drink the blood of his victims, believing it held the key to preserving his own life. The gruesome scenes left behind at crime spots were shivering reminders of a disturbed mind at work.

The sheer brutality of these acts sent shockwaves through the community and fueled the nightmare that had enveloped Sacramento.

The Hunt For The Vampire Killer

The investigation started when, on a fateful Monday night, January 23, 1978, the former police homicide detective, Russ Vorpagel, found himself thrust into a chilling case beyond the ordinary.

A call from an official alerted him to a homicide in the north of Sacramento. The victim, Terry Wallin, a twenty-two-year-old three-month pregnant woman, lay lifeless in her bedroom with her abdomen slashed.

Upon arriving at the scene, Russ sensed the gravity of the situation. Terry's husband, David Wallin, a laundry truck driver, was so shocked that he couldn't utter a word to the authorities. The police, recognizing the uniqueness of the crime, sought Russ's expertise.

As Russ inspected the murder site, he discerned that it was not the only murder of the killer. The culprit would get on his business again unless captured soon. And his prediction was obvious.

As the body count rose, law enforcement intensified their efforts to capture the elusive killer. Chase's erratic behavior, coupled with eyewitness accounts, helped create a profile of the deranged perpetrator. The community, gripped by fear, began taking precautions, locking doors and windows as the hunt for the Vampire Killer intensified.

The Capture

Chase's reign of terror ended on January 27, 1978, when he was apprehended by law enforcement. Evidence found at his apartment, including human remains, confirmed his role in the gruesome killings.

Apartment Scenes

Upon entering Chase's apartment, the police uncovered a dreadful scene that sent shudders down their spines. Blood filled the interiors of three blenders while a container in the refrigerator held David's brain tissue. Wrapped in saran wrap were the gruesome remnants of his victims – Evelyn and Terry's internal organs displayed on refrigerator dishes.

Animal collars, hauntingly belonging to those he had killed, were strewn about. A chilling sight met them at the kitchen table, adorned with numerous diagrams depicting human biology, providing an unsettling glimpse into the psyche of the Vampire Killer.

The Trial and Incarceration

The trial that followed provided a chilling glimpse into the mind of a psychopath driven by delusions and a bloodlust that knew no bounds.

Chase's trial garnered widespread media attention as the public sought to understand the depths of his viciousness. In 1979, he was convicted of six counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Despite being on death row, Chase's notoriety lingered, leaving a lasting stain on the records of true crime.

Confession to Robert: ‘Self-defense’

In a rare moment of revelation, Richard Chase opened up to Robert K. Ressler, an FBI agent and author, about the gruesome details of his murders. In a weird attempt to justify his actions, he claimed to suffer from a nonexistent disease called soap-dish poisoning, where people’s blood turns into powder with time, as Chase explained. To counter this imaginary condition, he injected and drank the blood of his victims, believing it would save him.

Chase, in his delusional state, further spun a tale of being born Jewish and oppressed by Nazis due to a Star of David on his forehead. Astonishingly, he insisted that UFOs commanded him through telepathy to kill and replenish his blood supply.

When asked about choosing his victims, Chase explained that he followed voices instructing him to take lives. Strangely, he clarified that he never broke into locked homes, believing that a locked door meant he wasn't welcome.

Despite public outcry for the death penalty, some argued for a life sentence in a mental institution due to Chase's apparent mental illness. However, the Vampire Killer avoided the electric chair, taking matters into his own hands by ingesting a lethal dose of antidepressants he had been hoarding. The disturbing confession to Robert peeled back the layers of madness that consumed Richard Chase.

The Legacy of Horror

Richard Chase's legacy is one of horror and despair. His case remains a grim reminder of the capacity for evil within the human psyche. The Vampire Killer's twisted journey into madness, fueled by paranoid delusions and insatiable bloodlust, serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of mental health awareness and intervention.

Conclusion

The dark tale of Richard Chase, the Vampire Killer, is a harrowing chapter in the history of true crime. From his troubled upbringing to the ritualistic nature of his crimes, Chase's story sends shivers down even the bravest spines.

As we look closely at the loathsome deeds of The Vampire Killer, we see the pathetic truth of a mind gone crazy and a community that will never forget the scary shadow caused by one man's fall into madness. Richard Chase's legacy reminds us strongly that horrible crimes can be hidden in surprising places. It also tells us that understanding people's thoughts is an important and ongoing societal effort.