David Berkowitz Serial Killer: One who has killed multiple people, one who kills with a pattern, and one who shows no remorse for actions committed.

Background  Born in 1953 in the Bronx, New York  Adoptive parents Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz  David felt like an outsider and reject due to his status as adopted.  He was convinced that his birth mother died while giving birth to him, which was the source of a lot of anger and guilt throughout his early years.  Physically bigger than most of the other children his age  Had few friends growing up - often referred to as a town bully.  Throughout his education, David was an average student who showed no particular interest in any one subject.  In 1967 David’s mother Pearl died of breast cancer.  After her death David became severely depressed and began having paranoid visions.  David’s father and new wife move to Florida  David joins the army - 3 years… failure  Born in 1953 in the Bronx, New York  Adoptive parents Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz  David felt like an outsider and reject due to his status as adopted.  He was convinced that his birth mother died while giving birth to him, which was the source of a lot of anger and guilt throughout his early years.  Physically bigger than most of the other children his age  Had few friends growing up - often referred to as a town bully.  Throughout his education, David was an average student who showed no particular interest in any one subject.  In 1967 David’s mother Pearl died of breast cancer.  After her death David became severely depressed and began having paranoid visions.  David’s father and new wife move to Florida  David joins the army - 3 years… failure

Later Years…  Berkowitz reunited with birth mother and sister  Reunion was shortlived - paranoid visions of death and isolation eventually caused him to separate from mother and sister  Berkowitz reunited with birth mother and sister  Reunion was shortlived - paranoid visions of death and isolation eventually caused him to separate from mother and sister

First Murders -  Demons drive Berkowitz onto streets with knife - Christmas Eve, 1975  Two victims, both women. One can’t be confirmed, other’s name is Michelle Forman  Victim that couldn’t be confirmed died, Michelle Forman survived and was treated for six different stab wounds  Berkowitz not even considered a suspect  Demons drive Berkowitz onto streets with knife - Christmas Eve, 1975  Two victims, both women. One can’t be confirmed, other’s name is Michelle Forman  Victim that couldn’t be confirmed died, Michelle Forman survived and was treated for six different stab wounds  Berkowitz not even considered a suspect

Harvey and Sam Carr  Neighbor Sam Carr - “possessed by Satan”  Dog barking (Harvey’s) told David to commit the murders.  David shot Harvey Later the basis of Berkowitz’s “Son of Sam Letters” Today, Berkowitz claims that Sam Carr was part of a cult with him, and that Carr committed the murders with him.  Neighbor Sam Carr - “possessed by Satan”  Dog barking (Harvey’s) told David to commit the murders.  David shot Harvey Later the basis of Berkowitz’s “Son of Sam Letters” Today, Berkowitz claims that Sam Carr was part of a cult with him, and that Carr committed the murders with him.

Shootings -  A Pattern begins…  7/29/ first victim killed with 22 calibre handgun  10/23/ Carl Denaro  11/26/ Donna DeMasi/Joanne Lumino  1/30/ Christine Freund/John Diel  3/8/ Virginia Voskerichian  4/17/ Valentina Suriani/Alexander Esau  6/26/ Judy Placido/Sal Lupo  7/31/ Stacy Mokowitz/Bobby Violante  8/10/ Arrested and pleads guilty at trial  A Pattern begins…  7/29/ first victim killed with 22 calibre handgun  10/23/ Carl Denaro  11/26/ Donna DeMasi/Joanne Lumino  1/30/ Christine Freund/John Diel  3/8/ Virginia Voskerichian  4/17/ Valentina Suriani/Alexander Esau  6/26/ Judy Placido/Sal Lupo  7/31/ Stacy Mokowitz/Bobby Violante  8/10/ Arrested and pleads guilty at trial

Son of Sam is Born -  David leaves letter to police at crime scene - Son of Sam  Breslin Letter - Sent to Jimmy Breslin at the “New York Daily News” .44 Caliber shooter  Police/Public response  David leaves letter to police at crime scene - Son of Sam  Breslin Letter - Sent to Jimmy Breslin at the “New York Daily News” .44 Caliber shooter  Police/Public response

Arrest - August 9th, 1977  Witness sees Berkowitz scowling at people near Moskowitz crime scene  Calls police  Police go to interview  Berkowitz at his house  In car outside - map of city w/ crime scenes marked, ammunition, and letter to Omega task force.  “You got me. What took you so long?”  Witness sees Berkowitz scowling at people near Moskowitz crime scene  Calls police  Police go to interview  Berkowitz at his house  In car outside - map of city w/ crime scenes marked, ammunition, and letter to Omega task force.  “You got me. What took you so long?”

Trial  Within 30 minutes, Berkowitz confessed to all of the murders  June 12, jury gave Berkowitz six life sentences and a maximum of 365 years  During the trial, Berkowitz yelled into the jury that his victims deserved to die.  “Stacy was a whore”  Within 30 minutes, Berkowitz confessed to all of the murders  June 12, jury gave Berkowitz six life sentences and a maximum of 365 years  During the trial, Berkowitz yelled into the jury that his victims deserved to die.  “Stacy was a whore”

Prison Years…  In 1977 wrote a book called Son of Hope  Son of Sam Act  Today, after 30 years in prison, David calls himself a born again Christian.  Model prisoner  In 1977 wrote a book called Son of Hope  Son of Sam Act  Today, after 30 years in prison, David calls himself a born again Christian.  Model prisoner

Bibliography   orious/berkowitz/letter_1.html orious/berkowitz/letter_1.html  m.htm m.htm    orious/berkowitz/letter_1.html orious/berkowitz/letter_1.html  m.htm m.htm 