David Berkowitz, infamously known as ‘Son of Sam’, is still regarded as one of the most notorious serial killers in the United States even after more than four decades of his arrest. The serial killer, who was a nightmare for New York Police in the 1970s, committed a series of horrific murders that triggered one of the largest and most intense manhunts in the city’s history.
Berkowitz’s reign of terror began in July 1976 and continued through 1977, with his brutal attacks claiming six lives. He used a specific kind of handgun which earned him the nickname – ‘.44 Calibre Killer’.
His first victim was 18-year-old Donna Lauria, who was shot dead on July 29, 1976. Her friend, Jody Valenti survived the attack but was unable to identify the killer. Over the next year, Berkowitz claimed the lives of five more young people: Christine Freund, 26; Virginia Voskerichian, 19; Valentina Suriani, 18; Alexander Esau, 20; and Stacy Moskowitz, 20.
Stalking his victims mainly in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, the killer targeted young women with brown hair. He mostly executed the murders in the wee hours. This led to widespread panic, with many women rushing to hairdressers to change their appearance, worried they could be the next victim.
Berkowitz also taunted the police with letters that mocked their efforts in catching him and hinted at more crimes. In one specific letter, he described how ‘Sam’ ‘loves to hunt’ on the street ‘looking for fair game – tasty meat.’ As per the reports, Berkowitz’s mental state worsened at the time which made him think that his neighbour’s Labrador, named Sam, was telling him to commit the murders.
In another letter sent to a newspaper columnist Jimmy Berslin, he signed off using his infamous nickname, ‘Son of Sam’.
Despite the widespread fear, the police failed to identify the elusive killer. Witnesses gave inconsistent descriptions and despite the efforts by hundreds of officers, the case remained unsolved. The breakthrough came with a discovery of Berkowitz’s yellow 1970 Ford Galaxie, which was found to be one of the ticketed cars. One survivor also helped the police to connect Berkowitz to the killings.
While walking her dog near the scene of the Moskowitz and Violante shootings, Cacilia Davis encountered a suspicious young man whose car had been recently ticketed. Davis fled the scene but she heard gunshots.
On August 10, 1977, police checked traffic tickets that had been issued in the area and traced them to Berkowitz’s car. They found a handgun, ammunition, maps and a threatening letter to one of the inspectors.
To avoid a potentially violent confrontation, officers waited until Berkowitz left his car before arresting him.
In 1978, Berkowitz was sentenced to the maximum prison term of 25 years to life for six murders. He became eligible for parole in 2002. However, he was denied parole in his twelfth board appearance in May this year.
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