Over 40 years after a terrible crime shocked the whole California city, a man has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Gary Ramirez, now 78 years old, was found guilty of raping and stabbing a 15-year-old girl named Karen Stitt in 1982.

Karen Stitt left her home in Palo Alto one September evening in 1982 to visit her boyfriend in Sunnyvale, about ten miles away. Around midnight, she was waiting at a bus stop to go home when the terrible attack happened. The next morning, her body was found near the bus stop with 59 stab wounds and signs of sexual assault.

For many years, no one knew who had committed this crime. Later, her boyfriend told the police he felt very bad for leaving her but was afraid of getting in trouble for being out late, according to USA Today.

In 2000, DNA testing cleared Ms. Stitt’s boyfriend as a suspect. Then, in April 2022, it was discovered that Gary Ramirez was the most likely source of the blood and bodily fluids found at the crime scene. This was confirmed by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Crime Lab.

In February 2024, Ramirez pleaded no contest to the murder charges. Judge Hanley Chew sentenced him to life in prison, with a chance of parole after 25 years. Ramirez was 38 when the crime happened and is now 78.

District Attorney Jeff Rosen said, “Karen Stitt passed away more than 40 years ago, but she was never forgotten.”

He also added, “Today, our Crime Lab, a tenacious prosecutor, and a committed detective have put the culprit behind bars.”

Friends and family of Karen attended the sentencing hearing to show their sorrow and anger, making it clear that Karen will always be remembered.

The District Attorney’s office praised the hard work of detectives and the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. They said these officers have “put their hearts and souls” into solving this “infamous crime.”

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