David Berkowitz, also known as the 'Son of Sam', remains one of the most chilling figures in American criminal history – and he's also the latest focus of a Netflix's docu-series, Conversations with a Killer.
Almost fifty years after he first attacked and killed a woman in New York City, a new wave of true crime fans are also getting to know about the heartbreaking trail of destruction left in Berkowitz's wake.
After police eventually closed in on Berkowitz, the serial killer was caught and given a deserved lengthy prison sentence. So, which prison is he in and what is his life like today?
This is where David Berkowitz is now.
Who is David Berkowitz, the 'Son of Sam'?
For those unfamiliar, David Richard Berkowitz (known as Richard David Falco prior to his adoption) was born on 1 June 1953 and is one of the US's most well-known serial killers. The former soldier and postal clerk, who had a rocky childhood, killed six people and injured eleven others.
After being adopted as an infant by Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz, he grew up in the Bronx, New York, and was thought to have high intellect but little interest in school – a place where he was bullied for his Jewish heritage. Instead, neighbours recall Berkowitz having an interest in starting small fires and being unfriendly. His adoptive mother, Pearl, passed away when he was a teenager and things progressively grew worse from there, as Berkowitz took an intense dislike to his father's second wife.
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Struggling with feelings of rejection (especially after meeting his birth mother and learning of his biological father's rejection) and anger, Berkowitz claims to have become consumed by violent fantasies, ultimately leading to his horrifying crime spree starting in 1976.
Berkowitz gained the nickname 'Son of Sam' during his killing spree after writing strange letters to the police and journalists, in which he'd allege that he was possessed by a demon that contacted him through his neighbour's dog, Sam – something he later admitted was a lie. Many have speculated he enjoyed the attention his crimes brought about and the feeling of infamy.
Who were David Berkowitz's victims?
Between July 1976 and July 1977, Berkowitz terrorised New York City, targeting unsuspecting young women (to whom he had no prior connection) and couples in parked cars. He later also confessed to having stabbed a teenage girl and a hispanic woman in 1975, but the latter was never confirmed/identified.
Armed with a .44 caliber revolver, Berkowitz tragically killed six people – two men and four women – and injured eleven others in a series of seemingly random shootings. His victims included Donna Lauria, a 19-year-old medical technician, and Stacy Moskowitz, a 20-year-old aspiring actress, among others.
Berkowitz's crimes were marked by their randomness, which made it difficult for the police to initially catch him. He often struck late at night, going after individuals with no apparent connection to one another, leaving many NYC residents to grow increasingly fearful. It's reported that some women even cut their hair short and began avoiding public spaces in a desperate attempt to escape his wrath.
David Berkowitz was arrested on 10 August 1977, almost a year after his first killing, after an extensive investigation. He confessed to the murders almost immediately and showed no remorse for his actions.
How long was David Berkowitz sentenced to?
In 1978, Berkowitz pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and was sentenced to six consecutive life terms (25 years) in prison, amounting to a total of 150 years behind bars. This ensured that Berkowitz would never walk free again.
During his sentencing, a family friend of one of the victim's, Stacy Moskowitz, reportedly shouted at him, "You're going to burn in hell. You're going to burn, Berkowitz. I'll get you."
One of his victim's who survived the shooting said of his sentencing: " I'm not happy with the sentencing. I'd rather see him dead."
Over the years, Berkowitz has been denied parole multiple times, and has even stated himself has stated that he does not believe he deserves to be freed.
Which jail is David Berkowitz in now?
Today, David Berkowitz resides at the Shawangunk Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in Wallkill, New York. Despite his grim past, Berkowitz claims to have undergone a spiritual transformation during his time behind bars, telling the press that he became a born-again Christian in the late 1980s.
Now, Berkowitz apparently refers to himself as the 'Son of Hope' instead of the 'Son of Sam', but many remain sceptical that this is just another means for the killer to gain attention and column inches.
In prison, it is said that Berkowitz spends much of his time involved in religious activities, counselling other inmates, and writing.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
