David Berkowitz

David Berkowitz

Biography
David Berkowitz was born on June 1, 1953 in New York City. He was adopted by Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz, but David was never fully at peace with the idea that his biological parents did not want him. When David was fourteen years old, his mother died and both he and his father were devastated. Eventually, Nathan Berkowitz remarried, but David never took a liking to his stepmother. When David was eighteen years old, his father and stepmother moved to Florida, but David stayed behind in New York City. Soon after, he joined the military, but after three years, he was discharged and he returned to New York. He claimed that he heard voices in his head and that he had started over a thousand fires. It was clear that David was no ordinary man.

Murder
On July 29, 1976, two young girls were shot at while sitting in a car. Jody Valenti was wounded and her friend, Donna Lauria, died. This random and brutal murder was the start of David Berkowitz’ serial killings throughout New York City. Three months later, Carl Denaro and Rosemary Keenan were resting in a parked car when Carl was shot repeatedly in the head. Luckily, Carl survived, but just barely, and he was left with serious injuries. Rosemary, however, was not so fortunate; she was killed by the bullet wounds. Then, on November 26, Donna DeMasi and her friend Joanne Lomino were walking home when they were stalked by David and both girls were shot. Both lived, but Joanne became was paralyzed. Over the next four months, David Berkowitz shot and killed Christina Freund and Virginia Voskeruchian. On March 10, 1977, a press conference was called and the police revealed that the same .44 caliber revolver had been used to kill Donna Lauria, Virginia Voskerichian, and Christine Freund. It was clear to the police that there was a serial murderer roaming in New York City that targeted young, pretty women and young couples. On April 17, 1977, Alexander Esau and his date, Valentina Suriani, were killed while sitting in a car. There was now no doubt that a serial killer was on the loose. On June 26, 1977, early in the morning Judy Placido and Sal Lupo were both shot while sitting in a parked car. Both victims survived without any serious injuries. Exactly one year and two days after the “Son of Sam’s” first murder, he killed his last victim. Stacy Moskowitz and Bobby Violante were both shot while in sitting in a car that was parked in a park. Stacy died, and Bobby was left with only one eye.

After David killed the young couple Alexander Esau and Valentina Suriani on April 17, 1977, he left a hand written note near the crime scene. In the letter, David claimed that his “father”, Sam Carr, was a vampire and that he commanded David to bring him human blood. For this reason, David Berkowitz called himself “Son of Sam”.The letter was addressed to Captain Joseph Borrelli, who was in charge of the Son of Sam case, and the letter did include spelling errors.

Dear Captain Joseph Borrelli,
I am deeply hurt by your calling me a wemon hater. I am not. But I am a monster. I am the “Son of Sam.” I am a little brat. When father Sam gets drunk he gets mean. He beats his family. Sometimes he ties me up to the back of the house. Other times he locks me in the garage. Sam loves to drink blood. “Go out and kill,” commands father Sam. Behind our house some rest. Mostly young -- raped and slaughtered -- their blood drained -- just bones now. Papa Sam keeps me locked in the attic too. I can't get out but I look out the attic window and watch the world go by. I feel like an outsider. I am on a different wavelength then everybody else -- programmed too kill. However, to stop me you must kill me. Attention all police: Shoot me first -- shoot to kill or else keep out of my way or you will die! Papa Sam is old now. He needs some blood to preserve his youth. He has had too many heart attacks. “Ugh, me hoot, it hurts, sonny boy.” I miss my pretty princess most of all. She's resting in our ladies house. But I'll see her soon. I am the 'Monster' -- 'Beelzebub' -- the chubby behemouth. I love to hunt. Prowling the streets looking for fair game -- tasty meat. The wemon of Queens are prettyist of all. It must be the water they drink. I live for the hunt -- my life. Blood for papa. Mr. Borrelli, sir, I don't want to kill anymore. No sur, no more but I must, 'honour thy father.' I want to make love to the world. I love people. I don't belong on earth. Return me to yahoos. To the people of Queens, I love you. And I want to wish all of you a happy Easter. May God bless you in this life and in the next. I say goodbye and goodnight.
Police: Let me haunt you with these words;
I’ll be back! I’ll be back! To be interrpreted as – Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang – ugh!!
Yours in Murder,
Mr. Monster.

David Berkowitz sent strange letters to his old neighbor Jack Cassara, and he mentioned Sam Carr in the letter. Jack called Sam and they met, soon making the connection that they both had David Berkowitz for a very strange neighbor. It was also realized that Craig Glassman, another ex-neighbor of David’s, had received a letter in the mail mentioning demons and other strange things. David’s letters led to his downfall.

After David was arrested, he pled guilty to the murders, and disturbingly, he showed no signs of remorse whatsoever. He was found guilty and sentenced to 364 years in prison, which he is still serving today.

-page author: Anna
-left photo courtesy of http://www.spartechsoftware.com/
-right photo courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/