David Berkowitz
American serial killer who terrorized New York City in the 1970s.
- born
- June 1, 1953
- field
- Serial killer, serial arsonist
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Son of Sam murders; .44 caliber shootings; inspired Son of Sam laws
Lore & Background
David Berkowitz was born in Brooklyn, New York, and adopted by Pearl and Nathan Berkowitz of the Bronx. His childhood was troubled; he lost interest in education, engaged in petty larceny and fire-starting, and suffered head injuries. After his adoptive mother died when he was 14, his home life became strained. He joined the U.S. After locating his birth mother, he learned details of his birth that greatly disturbed him, which a forensic anthropologist described as the 'primary crisis' of his life. Berkowitz began his crimes in late 1975 with a stabbing, then switched to a .44 caliber Bulldog revolver. He continued shooting, and his letters to police mocking them and promising further crimes caused widespread fear. After arrest, Berkowitz initially claimed he was obeying a demon manifested as a black dog named 'Sam,' but later admitted this was a hoax. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received six consecutive life sentences. In the mid-1990s, he claimed to be a converted evangelical Christian and amended his confession to say he was part of a violent Satanic cult.
Reader's Guide
David Berkowitz's significance lies in the terror he inflicted on New York City and the lasting legal legacy of his case. The intense media coverage gave him a kind of celebrity status, which observers noted he seemed to enjoy. In response, the New York State Legislature enacted 'Son of Sam laws' to prevent criminals from profiting from the publicity of their crimes. These statutes have survived legal challenges and inspired similar laws in other states. Berkowitz's case also highlighted the challenges of investigating a serial killer who taunted police, and the manhunt for him became one of the largest in city history. His shifting confessions—from a demon-possessed dog to a Satanic cult—added layers of controversy and uncertainty to the narrative. Berkowitz remains a figure whose crimes prompted significant legal reform and continue to be studied in criminology and psychology.
Did You Know?
- Berkowitz was born Richard David Falco and later adopted by Pearl and Nathan Berkowitz.
- He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox and in South Korea, receiving an honorable discharge in June 1974.
- Berkowitz initially claimed he was obeying a demon manifested as a black dog named 'Sam,' but later admitted this was a hoax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is David Berkowitz?
David Berkowitz, born Richard David Falco on June 1, 1953, is an American serial killer, serial arsonist, and former U.S. Army soldier. He is best known by the media-given nickname the Son of Sam, which he adopted from a claim that a neighbor commanded him to kill.
What crimes did David Berkowitz commit?
Between 1975 and 1977 he carried out a stabbing and a series of .44-caliber shootings across New York City, killing six people and wounding seven others. His criminal activity also included multiple arson incidents during the same window.
How was David Berkowitz caught?
His spree set off what many consider the largest police manhunt in New York City's history up to that point. In 1977, a tip from a witness led officers to his apartment in the Bronx, where he was arrested.
Where does the nickname 'Son of Sam' come from?
Berkowitz told investigators that a man named Sam had spoken to him through a dog and ordered him to commit killings. The press seized on that story, and the label stuck, eclipsing his other aliases such as the .44 Caliber Killer and the Phantom of the Bronx.
What lasting impact did the David Berkowitz case have?
His crimes prompted New York to pass the first 'Son of Sam' law, which limits a criminal's ability to earn money from books, interviews, or other media about their offenses. He remains one of the most frequently cited cases in American criminal-justice and true-crime discussions.
Elsewhere in the Notorious Criminals & Outlaws universe
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