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“ Eventually I crossed that invisible line of no return. After years of mental torment, behavioral problems, deep inner struggles and my own rebellious ways, I became the criminal that, at the time, it seemed as if it was my destiny to become. „
Biography[]
David Richard Berkowitz (born Richard David Falco), also known as the Son of Sam and the .44 Caliber Killer, is an American serial killer who pleaded guilty to eight shootings that began in New York City on July 29, 1976.[1]
Early life[]
David Berkowitz was born on June 1, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York. Adopted by Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz, he grew up in the Bronx. Described as a troubled child[citation needed], Berkowitz displayed behavioral issues. His adoptive mother passed away when he was 14.
Military Service and Criminal Record[]

Berkowitz in the U.S. Army
After high school, Berkowitz joined the U.S. Army and served in Korea as a sharpshooter. However, his military career was marred by disciplinary problems, leading to his discharge in 1974. Berkowitz's criminal record began to accumulate with arrests for petty crimes.
Son of Sam Killings[]
Between 1976 and 1977, New York City was gripped by fear as a serial killer, later dubbed the "Son of Sam," terrorized the city. Berkowitz was responsible for a series of shootings that left six people dead and several others injured. He targeted young couples parked in cars, using a .44 caliber Bulldog revolver.
Berkowitz sent a series of letters to the police and the media during the period of his crimes. Berkowitz's letters were notable for their taunting and cryptic nature, as he sought to communicate with law enforcement and the public. In some of these letters, he provided details about the shootings, claimed responsibility for the crimes, and left messages that contributed to the fear and hysteria surrounding the case. Berkowitz used various pseudonyms, including the "Son of Sam," in these letters.
Berkowitz's letters played a huge role in the investigation, and he, in May 1977, left a particularly significant letter at the scene of one of the crimes, addressing it to New York Daily News columnist Jimmy Breslin. In this letter, Berkowitz claimed responsibility for the shootings and mentioned his motivation, including references to a demon dog. The use of the nickname "Son of Sam" in the letter caught the attention of the media, and the press adopted the term to describe the unknown assailant.
Arrest and Confession[]
Berkowitz's reign of terror came to an end on August 10, 1977, when he was arrested. His capture followed a parking ticket issued near one of the crime scenes. During questioning, Berkowitz confessed to the shootings, claiming that his neighbor Sam Carr's dog, a black Labrador Retriever named Harvey, was possessed by a demonic entity and commanded him to commit the murders. The name "Son of Sam" was not explicitly linked to the dog, Harvey, but rather to Berkowitz himself.
It's important to note that Berkowitz's claims about the demonic dog were part of his complex and erratic narrative, and mental health professionals have diagnosed him with various mental disorders.
Legal Proceedings[]
In 1978, Berkowitz pleaded guilty to all the charges against him, receiving six consecutive life sentences. Despite initially claiming that he acted alone, he later suggested the existence of a Satanic cult involved in the crimes. Berkowitz's cooperation with authorities led to the cessation of the investigation, but his shifting narratives fueled various conspiracy theories.
Religious Conversion and Prison Life[]
During his incarceration, Berkowitz underwent a religious conversion to Christianity. He adopted the name "Son of Hope" and became an advocate for faith-based initiatives in prison. Despite his efforts to distance himself from his violent past, the gravity of the Son of Sam case continues to define Berkowitz's legacy.
Parole Denials[]
Berkowitz has been eligible for parole multiple times, but his applications have consistently been denied. He remains incarcerated, serving his life sentences, and has expressed remorse for his crimes.
David Berkowitz's case remains one of the most infamous in the history of American crime. The Son of Sam killings left an indelible mark on the public psyche, and Berkowitz's complex psychological and spiritual journey continues to captivate those interested in criminal psychology and the nature of evil.
Victims[]
Name | Age | Date of Death | Location | Cause of Death |
---|---|---|---|---|
Donna Lauria | 18 | July 29, 1976 | Pelham Bay, the Bronx | Shooting |
Christine Freund | 26 | January 30, 1977 | Forest Hill, Queens | Shooting |
Virginia Voskerichian | 19 | March 8, 1977 | Exeter Street, Queens | Shooting |
Valentina Suriani | 18 | April 16, 1977 | Hutchinson River Parkway, the Bronx | Shooting |
Alexander Esau | 20 | April 16, 1977[note 2] | Hutchinson River Parkway, the Bronx | Shooting |
Stacy Moskowitz | 20 | July 31, 1977 | Bath Beach, Brooklyn | Shooting |
Survivors[]
Name | Age | Date of Attack | Location | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unknown Hispanic female | December 24, 1975 | Co-Op City, The Bronx | Stabbing from behind. Never reported, female survived. | ||
Michelle Forman | 15 | December 24, 1975 | Co-Op City, The Bronx | Stabbing from behind. | |
Jody Valenti | 19 | July 29, 1976 | Pelham Bay, the Bronx | Shooting | |
Carl Denaro | 20 | October 23, 1976 | Flushing, Queens | Shooting | |
Rosemary Keenan | 18 | October 23, 1976 | Flushing, Queens | Shooting, but unwounded | |
Donna DeMasi | 16 | November 27, 1976 | Bellerose, Queens | Shooting | |
Joanne Lomino | 18 | November 27, 1976 | Bellerose, Queens | Shooting[note 3] | |
John Diel | 30 | January 30, 1977 | Forest Hill, Queens | Shooting, but unwounded | |
Sal Lupo | 20 | June 26, 1977 | Bayside, Queens | Shooting | |
Judy Placido | 17 | June 26, 1977 | Bayside, Queens | Shooting | |
Bobby Violante | 20 | July 31, 1977 | Bath Beach, Brooklyn | Shooting |
Timeline[]
Date | Age | Event |
---|---|---|
June 1, 1953 | 0 | David Berkowitz is born in Brooklyn, New York. |
1974-1975 | 20-21 | Berkowitz begins a series of arsons in New York City. |
July 29, 1976 | 23 | Berkowitz commits his first known shooting. He shoots Donna Lauria and Jody Valenti. Lauria dies from her injuries. |
January 30, 1977 | Berkowitz shoots Christine Freund and John Diel. Freund dies from her injuries. | |
March 8, 1977 | Berkowitz shoots Virginia Voskerichian as she is walking home from school. | |
April 16, 1977 | Berkowitz shoots Alexander Esau and Valentina Suriani. Both victims die from their injuries. | |
June 25, 1977 | 24 | Berkowitz shoots Judy Placido and Salvatore Lupo. Both survive. |
July 31, 1977 | Berkowitz shoots Stacy Moskowitz and Robert Violante. Moskowitz dies, and Violante is seriously injured and left partially blind. | |
August 10, 1977 | David Berkowitz is arrested by the police. His car is searched, and a weapon is found. | |
February 12, 1979 | 25 | Berkowitz pleads guilty to all charges against him. |
June 12, 1979 | 26 | Berkowitz is sentenced to six consecutive life terms in prison. |
Later Years | — | Berkowitz has multiple parole hearings, all of which are denied. In prison, he undergoes a religious conversion to Christianity. |
Legal impact[]
Son of Sam law[]
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Further details may exist on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
The "Son of Sam" law refers to legislation aimed at preventing criminals from profiting financially from the notoriety of their crimes. The name is derived from the "Son of Sam" case. After Berkowitz's case gained widespread media attention, concerns arose that he might profit from selling the rights to his story.
The Son of Sam law was first enacted in New York in 1977, shortly after Berkowitz's arrest. The law was designed to prohibit criminals from earning money by selling the rights to their stories, including books, movies, and other media projects that would capitalize on their criminal activities. The primary goal was to prevent criminals from profiting financially from their notoriety and to ensure that victims or their families had the opportunity to receive restitution.
Key features of the Son of Sam laws typically include:
- Restrictions on Profits: The laws restrict or seize any profits earned by criminals from the commercial exploitation of their crimes, ensuring that these funds do not go to the perpetrator.
- Victim Restitution: The seized funds may be directed toward victim restitution or other victim-related purposes.
- Scope of Application: The laws generally cover various forms of media, including books, movies, television shows, and other commercial ventures that involve the criminal's story.
It's important to note that Son of Sam laws have faced legal challenges over the years on grounds of First Amendment rights, as they restrict the ability of individuals to profit from their own speech or expression. The U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in on these challenges, leading to modifications in some states to ensure compliance with constitutional principles.
While the specific provisions and names of these laws may vary by jurisdiction, the overarching purpose is to prevent criminals from capitalizing on their crimes at the expense of victims and to redirect any potential earnings toward restitution or other meaningful purposes.
Bibliography[]
Literature[]
- Berkowitz, David Richard (2006). Son of Hope: The Prison Journals of David Berkowitz, Morning Star Communications. ISBN 978-0977899623
- Caparrelli, PhD, Michael A (2023). Monster Mirror: 100 Hours with David Berkowitz, Once Known as Son of Sam, Independently published. ISBN 979-8857010853
Articles[]
- Meredith Worthen (August 7, 2017). "Inside the Son of Sam Case". Biography.
- "David Berkowitz". Biography (December 13, 2017).
- Colin Bertram (May 4, 2021). "The Son of Sam: A Timeline of the Killings that Terrorized New York City". Biography.
Documentaries[]
Television[]
- Born to Kill? S3E6: David Berkowitz — The Son of Sam (2011) on IMDb
- Son of Sam: The Hunt for a Killer (2017) on IMDb
- The Mark of a Killer S2E2: Deadly Summer (April 16, 2020) on IMDb
- World's Most Evil Killers S4E2: David Berkowitz (June 2020) on IMDb
- The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness (2021) on IMDb, a 4-part documentary from Netflix about journalist Maury Terry's lifelong conviction that the Son of Sam murders were linked to a satanic cult.[2]
YouTube Documentaries[]
- Son of Sam, Real Crime - World's Most Evil Killers on YouTube
- David Berkowitz: The Son of Sam, Biographics on YouTube
Podcasts[]
- David Berkowitz - Part 1. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
- David Berkowitz - Part 2. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
- The Son of Sam: The Boogeyman of 1970’s New York, The Casual Criminalist on YouTube
In popular culture[]
- Seinfeld
- In the episode "The Diplomat's Club ," Kramer uses the mailbag of David Berkowitz, owned by Newman, as collateral for a bet on airplane arrival times.
- In the episode, "The Frogger ," Kramer proposes the name "Son of Dad" as a nickname for a serial killer called The Lopper, a reference to Berkowitz's nickname "Son of Sam."
- In the episode "The Diplomat's Club ," Jerry's friend Frankie finds George in Jerry's van and says through the closed driver's side window, "Seinfeld's van!" George mistakes this for "Son of Sam!" and exclaims, "I knew it wasn't Berkowitz!"
- In the episode "The Engagement " Newman says, when the police arrive to arrest him, "What took you so long?", echoing Berkowitz.
- In the Only Murders in the Building episode "The Tell ", several characters play a card game created for the television show called "Son of Sam". This game is similar to the party game Mafia, where one player is assigned the role of a killer, in this case the Son of Sam, who eliminates other players over a series of rounds. Each round, the other players have the opportunity to try to guess who is the Son of Sam.
Film/TV adaptations[]
- Out of the Darkness (1985) on IMDb
- Summer of Sam (1999) on IMDb (Summer of Sam Trailer on YouTube)
- The Bronx Is Burning (2007) on IMDb
- Son of Sam (2008) on IMDb
- Mindhunter: Episode #2.2 (2019) on IMDb
Music[]
- "Son of Sam " (1978) by The Dead Boys.
- "Son of Sam " by Chain Gang.
- "Are You Receiving Me? " (1978) by XTC.
- "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun " (1989) by the Beastie Boys.
- Krizz Kaliko released an album in 2013 titled Son of Sam.
- Lucki's 2016 EP Son of Sam features album artwork depicting a page from the first Son of Sam letter.
- "Insane In The Brain " (1993) by Cypress Hill.
Related Articles[]
See also[]
- David Bullock, who had a similar M.O.
Links[]
- David Berkowitz at Wikipedia
- David Berkowitz on IMDb
- The Official Website of David Berkowitz, former Son of Sam.
- David Berkowitz. Radford University.
- New York State Incarcerated Lookup (DIN #: 78A1976)
- The "Son of Sam" Sitdown in PRISON, Michael Franzese on YouTube
- Part 2: The "Son of Sam" Sitdown in PRISON, Michael Franzese on YouTube
- David Berkowitz - The Son of Sam Full Interview on YouTube
Notes[]
References[]
- ↑ Colin Bertram (May 4, 2021). "The Son of Sam: A Timeline of the Killings that Terrorized New York City". Biography.
- ↑ Trailer. Netflix Youtube.