Episode 3 - Sons of Sam (Part 1)

Sons of Sam

"I live for the hunt - my life."

Podcast show notes

Beezlebub.. The Chubby Behemouth.. The true story of David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam.

In this episode, we enter the riveting story of David Berkowitz, also known as the infamous "Son of Sam". In 1976 through 1977, the city that never sleeps is plagued with murders resulting in the city's largest manhunt. As police follow the leads, they are mocked left and right by letters promising murder after murder.

interview with the son of sam

Hear from beezlebub himself as he describes his conversion to christianity and the riveting letters from people who seek his guidance.

Credit to Inside Edition for providing this public interview on YouTube.

Early Life:

David Berkowitz, a name etched into the annals of American crime history as the "Son of Sam," emerged from a troubled childhood that foreshadowed his descent into violence. Born in 1953 to young Jewish parents who soon separated, he was adopted by a childless couple, a secret that would later haunt him. The knowledge of his adoption, revealed during his teenage years, coupled with his adoptive father's domineering nature, fostered feelings of isolation, inadequacy, and a fractured sense of identity.

Photo of young David Berkowitz

The Murders:

Berkowitz's fascination with violence and death, fueled by a voracious consumption of violent media, grew into a dark obsession. This obsession culminated in a terrifying series of attacks that terrorized New York City during the 1970s.

His reign of terror began in 1976 with the shooting of a young woman in the neck, a chilling prelude to the violence that would follow. Berkowitz employed a .44 caliber revolver, a weapon that would become synonymous with his crimes. The choice of this powerful firearm, coupled with the use of .44 Special ammunition, was deliberate, designed to inflict maximum damage and terror.

As the attacks continued, Berkowitz displayed a chilling precision in his methods. He targeted individuals and couples in cars, often striking at night, leaving a trail of fear and uncertainty in his wake. The use of the .44 caliber revolver and .44 Special ammunition became a signature of his crimes, amplifying the terror and leaving an enduring legacy of violence.

Detectives escorting David Berkowitz after his arrest.

The Capture:

The city was gripped by fear as the "Son of Sam" remained elusive. The media frenzy surrounding the case only intensified the public's anxiety. Every shadow, every noise, was scrutinized, as people lived in constant fear of becoming the next victim.

In 1977, after a relentless manhunt, Berkowitz was finally apprehended. His arrest brought a sense of relief to the city, but the scars of his crimes remained. The trial that followed revealed a mind twisted by darkness, a mind that had been consumed by a desire for violence and destruction.

Convicted of multiple counts of murder and attempted murder, Berkowitz was sentenced to life imprisonment. While he has since expressed remorse and found religion, his actions and the devastating impact of his crimes continue to haunt the public consciousness. The "Son of Sam" remains a chilling reminder of the capacity for human evil and the enduring power of fear.

As of Today:

David Berkowitz is serving life in prison to this day, confined at Shawangunk Correctional Facility, located in New York's Hudson Valley. As of 2024, Berkowitz has been denied parole a total of 12 times, with several board members citing his chances of parole as "unrealistic". Berkowitz has since stated he is a devout follower of Christianity, and is no longer a threat to the public.

David Berkowitz preparing for an interview with CBS in 2017.

Detectives investigating the crime scene of the 12th and 13th victims of the Son of Sam on July 31st, 1977.

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