Who Is Gary Gene Ramirez & Where Is He Now? 2026 Update & Profile
Gary Gene Ramirez was identified and later convicted as the man responsible for the brutal 1982 murder of 15-year-old Karen Stitt in Sunnyvale, California. His name remained unknown for nearly 40 years until advances in forensic DNA technology and investigative genetic genealogy linked him to one of Santa Clara County’s most haunting cold cases. At the time of his arrest, Ramirez was 75 years old and living on the island of Maui in Hawaii.
Ramirez had no prior convictions for violent crimes on record, which made him difficult to identify through traditional investigative methods. He had previously lived in Fresno, California, but had been residing quietly in Hawaii for several years. His life appeared largely unremarkable on the surface, which made the revelation of his connection to the Stitt case all the more disturbing.
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The 1982 Murder of Karen Stitt
On the night of September 2, 1982, Karen Stitt had traveled to Sunnyvale from Palo Alto to visit her boyfriend. After spending the evening together, he walked her to the bus stop near El Camino Real and South Wolfe Road shortly after midnight. The next morning, her body was found near a wall by a local business, stripped, bound with her own clothing, and stabbed 59 times.
The murder shocked the community. The random, violent nature of the killing and the young age of the victim made the case especially painful. Although investigators collected blood and bodily fluids from the crime scene, they were unable to match them to any known suspect. Karen’s boyfriend was initially suspected but was cleared through DNA testing in the early 2000s.
Breakthrough Through Investigative Genealogy
The case remained cold until Detective Matt Hutchison of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety reopened the investigation in 2019. He partnered with a genealogist to develop a family tree based on the DNA profile found at the crime scene. By 2021, the genealogist narrowed the search to four brothers from Fresno, California.
In April 2022, Hutchison obtained a DNA sample from a child of Gary Ramirez. The results showed a high likelihood that the child’s father was the source of the DNA found on Karen’s body. On August 2, 2022, Ramirez was arrested at his home in Makawao, Maui, and extradited to California. He made no resistance during his arrest and agreed to the extradition process.
Trial, Conviction, and Sentencing
In 2025, Gary Ramirez entered a plea of no contest to first-degree murder in the Santa Clara County Superior Court. He was sentenced in May 2025 to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years—the maximum sentence allowed under California law at the time of the crime. During the hearing, he appeared frail and used a cane, remaining mostly silent while Karen Stitt’s family and friends gave emotional victim impact statements.
The courtroom was filled with those who had carried the weight of Karen’s murder for over four decades. Many voiced the permanent pain caused by her death and expressed relief that Ramirez had finally been held accountable. Prosecutors acknowledged that while Ramirez’s age made it unlikely he would ever be released, the conviction brought legal and moral closure.
Where Gary Ramirez Is Now
Gary Gene Ramirez is currently incarcerated in the California state prison system. At the age of 78, he is serving a sentence of 25 years to life for the first-degree murder of Karen Stitt. Given his age and health, it is unlikely he will live to be eligible for parole. His prison term represents the long-delayed but ultimately successful pursuit of justice in one of Santa Clara County’s most disturbing unsolved crimes.
He remains in custody with no further legal proceedings pending. The DNA match was considered conclusive, and no appeals or efforts to overturn his conviction have been reported. Ramirez now spends the remainder of his life behind bars, serving time for a crime that eluded justice for over 40 years.
Lasting Legacy of the Case
The resolution of the Karen Stitt case has had a profound impact on cold case investigations nationwide. Ramirez’s conviction demonstrated the value of preserving forensic evidence and the powerful role of genetic genealogy. Detective Matt Hutchison’s work on the case was recognized as an example of dedication and innovative policing.
Karen Stitt’s story—and Ramirez’s eventual conviction—continues to inspire efforts to solve other long-dormant cases. Through technological advancement and determined investigation, even the most seemingly unsolvable crimes can be brought to light. For Karen’s loved ones, the identification and conviction of Gary Ramirez closed a painful chapter and ensured that her memory was honored with truth and justice.
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