David Richard Berkowitz, born on June 1, 1953, who gained notoriety as the “Son of Sam,” is a serial killer who instilled terror across New York City during the 1970s.
From July 1976 to July 1977, he carried out a series of late-night shootings, resulting in the deaths of six individuals and injuries to eight others.
His crimes were accompanied by chilling letters sent to law enforcement and the media, in which he claimed to be acting under the command of a demonic force. Initially referred to as the “.44 Caliber Killer” because of the firearm he used, Berkowitz later embraced the “Son of Sam” identity, further fueling widespread fear and fascination.
NAME: David Berkowitz
ALIASES: Son of Sam
BORN: June 1, 1953
COUNTRY: New York, United States
VICTIMS: 6 murdered, 8 injured
ARREST: August 10, 1977
CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS: 6 x 25 years to life – with the possibility of parole (1978)
IMPRISONED AT: Shawangunk Correctional Facility, New York since – April 2016
WHERE IS David Berkowitz NOW?
- 1978 – 6 x 25 years to life – with the possibility of parole
David Berkowitz is currently incarcerated at Shawangunk Correctional Facility (a maximum-security prison) in New York State.
In 1979, Berkowitz narrowly survived a life-threatening incident when another inmate at Attica Correctional Facility slashed his throat, leaving him in need of over 50 stitches. Since that incident he’s been moved to several different facilities. [3]
Over the years, he has expressed remorse for his crimes and undergone a ‘religious transformation’, identifying as a born-again Christian and renaming himself the “Son of Hope.” At Shawangunk Correctional Facility, he serves as a clerk, helping the prison chaplain in his duties.
Reverend Tony Loeffler, an ordained minister and musician who leads the prison ministry International Solid Rock, has maintained a friendship with Berkowitz for over twenty years. [3]
He has been denied parole multiple times, with his most recent rejection occurring in May 2024 – his twelfth parole denial. Despite his claims of redemption, experts believe he will never be released due to the high-profile nature of his crimes and the impact on public safety.
In June 2024 – Wendy Savino was confirmed as the first victim of Son of Sam, she was shot five times in her car, survived, lost her right eye. [2]
- May 8, 2002: First time Berkowitz was eligible for parole [1]
- May 14, 2024: Denied parole for the 12th time [1]
- June 5, 2024: New victim – Wendy Savino confirmed as first victim [2]
- Next chance for parole is slated for May, 2026 [1]
[1] NY.Gov: Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
[2] NBCnews: ‘Son of Sam’ killer’s first victim recalls a smiling man, and then gunfire – June 5, 2024
[3] AETV: ‘Son of Sam’ David Berkowitz’s Life in Prison and Chances for Parole – June 02, 2023
CRIMES COMMITTED
Berkowitz’s killing spree began in 1976. Over the next year, he continued to target young women and couples, typically shooting them as they sat in parked cars primarily using a .44 caliber Bulldog revolver.
April 9, 1976 Wendy Savino: Wendy Savino was recently confirmed as the first victim of Son of Sam, was shot five times in her car, survived, lost her right eye.
July 29, 1976 Donna Lauria and Jody Valenti: Donna Lauria was shot and died instantly. Jody Valenti survived a gunshot wound in the thigh.
October 23, 1976 Carl Denaro and Rosemary Keenan: Denaro and Keenan were shot in a car, both survived.
November 27, 1976 Donna DeMasi and Joanne Lomino: Both were shot after a late movie night, DeMasi survived the shot in the neck, Lomino was paralysed due to her wound in the back.
January 30, 1977 Christine Freund and John Diel: Freund and Diel were shot in a parked car. Christine Freund died later in hospital, John Diel survived the attack.
March 8, 1977 Virginia Voskerichian: Virginia was shot in the head, instantly died.
April 17, 1977 Valentina Suriani and Alexander Esau: Both were shot twice in Suriani’s car. Suriani died later in hospital, Esau died in the car.
June 26, 1977 Judy Placido and Sal Lupo: Both were shot in a parked car after a disco night, Placido was shot three times, both survived
July 31, 1977 Stacy Moskowitz and Robert Violante: Both were shot in the parked car on their first date, Moskowitz died from a head wound, Violante survived, but was partially blinded.
CAPTURE & INVESTIGATION
The investigation into David Berkowitz, the “Son of Sam,” was one of the largest manhunts in New York City history. It began after a series of late-night shootings that terrorized the city between 1976 and 1977.
The NYPD launched a massive 200-person task force to find the killer. Despite numerous reports from the public about potential suspects, the case remained unsolved for over a year.
A major breakthrough came when Berkowitz shot a young couple on July 31, 1977, killing Stacy Moskowitz and seriously injuring her boyfriend, Bobby Violante. A witness provided a description of a man seen near the scene, leading to the first police sketch of Berkowitz. Investigators also discovered that traffic tickets had been issued in the area that night, one of which belonged to Berkowitz.
Police placed Berkowitz’s apartment under surveillance and arrested him on August 10, 1977. When officers confronted him, he reportedly smiled and said, “You got me. What took you so long?” A search of his car revealed a .44-caliber revolver, the weapon used in the killings.
TRIAL & CONVICTIONS
In 1978, David Berkowitz admitted guilt to six counts of murder and received a sentence of 25 years to life for each offense. Although he initially attempted to plead insanity, he was deemed mentally fit to stand trial. His case prompted the establishment of the “Son of Sam” law, designed to prevent criminals from profiting financially from their crimes through media such as books or films. Despite becoming eligible for parole in 2002, Berkowitz has remained incarcerated and is widely expected to spend the rest of his life in prison.
Berkowitz’s reported transformation during his imprisonment, including his conversion to Christianity, has sparked divided opinions, with some viewing it as sincere and others dismissing it as insincere. Nevertheless, his heinous crimes have cemented his place as one of the most notorious serial killers in American history.
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REFERENCES / CITATIONS:
1. NY.Gov: Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
2. NBCnews: ‘Son of Sam’ killer’s first victim recalls a smiling man, and then gunfire – June 5, 2024
3. AETV: ‘Son of Sam’ David Berkowitz’s Life in Prison and Chances for Parole – June 02, 2023
4. factualamerica.com: David Berkowitz’s Prison Prophecy: Son of Sam’s Death Behind Bars Foretold by Inmate
5. independent.co.uk: ‘Son of Sam’ serial killer denied parole again weeks after comparing himself to Anne Frank – 28 May, 2024
6. CBS news: “Son of Sam” serial killer David Berkowitz denied parole after 12th board appearance – May 28, 2024
7. CBS news: “Son of Sam”: A serial killer’s reign of terror – August 10, 2017
8. Biography.com: The Son of Sam: A Timeline of the Killings that Terrorized New York City – May 04, 2021
BOOKS ABOUT David Berkowitz
The Ultimate Evil: The Search for the Sons of Sams
The true-crime cult classic that inspired the Netflix docuseries The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness and a companion podcast…
The Son of Sam: Life of Serial Killer David Berkowitz
When people like Berkowitz go off the deep end and cross the bounds of normal human behavior, we just can’t help but notice. In this book, learn…
Monster Mirror: 100 Hours with David Berkowitz, Once Known as Son of Sam
Chances are, you’ve already met the Son of Sam in movies, documentaries, books, etc. May I introduce you to David…
THE UNTOLD TRUTH OF THE SON OF SAM: A Journal of a Journey
In 1976 and ’77, fear paralyzed New York City as a serial killer stalked the streets randomly shooting people for no apparent reason…
TV SHOWS & DOCS FEATURING David Berkowitz
The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness
Author Maury Terry becomes convinced that serial killer David Berkowitz did not act alone and tries to prove that the web of darkness behind the Son of Sam murders goes deeper than anyone imagined — and his investigation costs him everything
TV Mini Series | 2021 | 1 Season – 4 Episodes
NETFLIX
Mindhunter S2.E2
To glean insight into the elusive BTK killer, Bill and Holden interview Son of Sam, who makes a startling admission.
TV Series / Fictional | 2017
NETFLIX
Son of Sam: The Hunt for a Killer
In the late 1970s, David Berkowitz plays a cat and mouse game with the NYPD. Interviews and archive footage explore the twist and turns of the investigation into the 44 caliber killer.
TV Movie / Documentary | 2017
ID
Son of Sam: The Killer Speaks
Son of Sam: The Killer Speaks: Directed by Jeff Pinilla. With David Berkowitz, Joseph Borrelli, Carl Denaro, Maurice DuBois.
TV Movie / Documentary | 2017
CBS NEWS
Born to kill? S3.E6
In the mid ’70s, the self-named Son of Sam killer plunged New York City in terror by randomly shooting Innocent young couples on the streets.
TV Series / Documentary | 2011
World’s Most Evil Killers S4.E2
A profile of the serial killer who found himself at the center of New York’s biggest manhunt after a vicious shooting spree that left six dead.
TV Series / Documentary | 2017
Very Scary People S2.E1/E2 ∙ Son of Sam (2 PARTS): The Duke of Death
From 1976 to 1977, David Berkowitz terrorized New York City – under his creepy self-given moniker: “the Son of Sam”; he is among the most infamous serial killers in American history.
TV Series / Documentary | 2019
YOUTUBE
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MORE ARTICLES ABOUT David Berkowitz
A selection of interesting articles about David Berkowitz, sourced and curated from around the web:
‘Son of Sam’ killer’s first victim recalls a smiling man, and then gunfire
NBC News | Author: Tom Llamas & Phil Helsel | Jun 5, 2024
“Son of Sam” serial killer David Berkowitz denied parole after 12th board appearance
CBS news | Author: Sara Kettler | 28 May 2024
‘Son of Sam’ serial killer denied parole again weeks after comparing himself to Anne Frank
The Independent | Author: AP Newswire | 28 May 2024
‘Son of Sam’ David Berkowitz’s Life in Prison and Chances for Parole
AETV | Author: Sara Kettler | 2 Jun 2023
The Son of Sam: A Timeline of the Killings that Terrorized New York City
Biography | Author: Colin Bertram | 4 May 2021
“Son of Sam”: A serial killer’s reign of terror
CBS news | Author: CBS news | 10 Aug 2017
‘Son of Sam’ Serial Killer David Berkowitz Says He Won’t Seek Parole in 2012
Fox News | Author: Joshua Rhett Miller | 24 Aug 2011
Born to kill? Season 3, episode 6 – David Berkowitz
In the mid ’70s, the self-named Son of Sam killer plunged New York City in terror by randomly shooting Innocent young couples on the streets.
Currently available to watch on youtube via the True Lives channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1vS4xVmSLE&list=PLn950EbANMx97oL187vBCFmQywX4jHvPs&index=62
Found god, sure thing. Usual business. What a pos