Episode Details

When Ron Ruse Jr. ended his relationship with Linda Ricchio, he hoped for a clean break. Instead, he became the target of an ex‑girlfriend whose obsession escalated from constant phone calls and public confrontations to full‑blown stalking and death threats.

In this episode, we take a deep, narrative‑driven look at the case that would become known as the “Fatal Attraction Killer”:

• Ron’s life in Carlsbad, California and his years‑long relationship with Linda Ricchio
• The breakup and Linda’s refusal to let go, including her threats against Ron and his family
• The campaign of stalking that forced Ron to move, change routines, and live like a fugitive
• How Linda secretly rented the apartment right next door and positioned herself for an ambush
• The events of December 14, 1987, when Ron was shot on the stairs outside his home
• Ricchio’s claim that she meant to kill herself, not Ron, and the evidence that contradicted her story
• The trial, first‑degree murder conviction, and 27‑to‑life sentence
• Media coverage that branded her the “Fatal Attraction Killer,” and decades of parole hearings that have kept her behind bars

This episode uses archival reporting, court and parole records, and later true crime coverage to reconstruct the timeline and psychology behind the murder of Ron Ruse Jr. It is a story about obsession, entitlement, ignored red flags, and the deadly consequences when stalking is minimized or dismissed.

Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone close to you is being stalked or threatened by a current or former partner, please contact local law enforcement or a domestic violence hotline for support and safety planning.

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