He was born on February 29, 1960, in El Paso, Texas — the youngest of five children in a hardworking immigrant family.

Though his early life appeared ordinary, it was shaped by hardship, instability, and fear. His father’s unpredictable temper and the family’s financial struggles created a tense home environment that left deep emotional marks.

As a child, he also suffered several head injuries, which doctors later suggested may have affected his behavior and impulse control. During his teenage years, Richard began drifting away from school and family. A disturbing incident involving a relative exposed him to shocking violence at a young age, leaving him deeply traumatized.