David Richard Berkowitz

Serial Killer

David Richard Berkowitz: The “Son of Sam” Serial Killer

Background and Early Life

David Richard Berkowitz became one of the most notorious serial killers in New York City history after carrying out a series of shootings that terrorized the city between July 1976 and July 1977. During the approximately year-long series of attacks, Berkowitz killed six people and wounded seven others, most of them young adults. His crimes became nationally known first under the nickname the “.44 Caliber Killer” and later as the “Son of Sam.” Berkowitz was born Richard David Falco in Brooklyn, New York, on June 1, 1953. He was adopted as an infant by Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz and raised in the Bronx. His adoptive mother died when he was a teenager, an event that was reportedly devastating to him. As he grew older, Berkowitz became increasingly isolated and experienced periods of anger and emotional instability. In 1971, Berkowitz entered the United States Army. He served until 1974 and spent part of his military service in South Korea. After leaving the Army, he returned to New York, where he held several jobs before eventually working as a postal employee. During this period, his behavior reportedly became increasingly disturbing. Berkowitz later admitted setting numerous fires and recording some of them in personal journals.

Violence Before the .44-Caliber Shootings

Before the murders for which he became infamous, Berkowitz had already begun attacking people. On December 24, 1975, he attacked teenager Michelle Forman with a knife in the Bronx. Forman survived. Berkowitz later described stabbing attacks as an early stage in the escalation of his violence, although the shooting campaign beginning the following summer became the series definitively associated with the Son of Sam case. ...

Confirmed Victims: (6)

Donna Lauria Age: (18), Date of Death: 1976-07-29

Survivors:

Unknown Hispanic female , Date of Attack: December 24, 1975

Michelle Forman Age: (15), Date of Attack: December 24, 1975

Jody Valenti Age: (19), Date of Attack: July 29, 1976

Carl Denaro Age: (20), Date of Attack: October 23, 1976

Rosemary Keenan Age: (18), Date of Attack: October 23, 1976

Donna DeMasi Age: (16), Date of Attack: November 27, 1976

Joanne Lomino Age: (18), Date of Attack: November 27, 1976

John Diel Age: (30), Date of Attack: January 30, 1977

Sal Lupo Age: (20), Date of Attack: June 26, 1977

Judy Placido Age: (17), Date of Attack: June 26, 1977

Bobby Violante Age: (20), Date of Attack: July 31, 1977

David Berkowitz - Wikipedia