‘Son of Sam’ Facts You May Not Know about the Infamous Murders

zachnading Published 06/10/2022 in wtf

David Berkowitz, AKA the Son of Sam Killer struck between the summers of 1976 and 1977.

Thanks to Reddit, on the 45th anniversary of the murders we take a closer look at Berkowitz and the havoc he wreaked.

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1.
In 1979, an inmate tried to murder Berkowitz by slashing his throat. The wound needed 50 stitches to heal.
2.
In 2002, Berkowitz wrote a letter to the D.C. Sniper asking him to stop the killing.
3.
David Berkowitz is now a reformed Christian.
4.
David Berkowitz is the author of his own book, and all proceeds were to go to his victims' families.
5.
David Berkowitz claimed that 'Rich Girl' by Hall and Oates was inspiration for the murders. However the song hadn't even been released by the time he started killing.
6.
Hall and Oates would later reference Berkowitz's 'Rich Girl' claim in their song 'Diddy Doo Wop (I Hear the Voices)'.
7.
Son of Sam was really only caught because of an unpaid parking ticket on his Ford Galaxie.
8.
Berkowitz claimed that he was a member of a satanic cult.
9.
Berkowitz's weapon of choice was a Charter Arms Bulldog, which is why he also became known as the .44 Caliber Killer.
10.
As the Son of Sam killings were coming to an end, in October 1977 the Hillside Strangler was just getting started on the west coast.
11.
He has turned down parole multiple times stating that he 'got what he deserved.'
12.
David Berkowitz said that his neighbor's dog, Harvey (and the Devil) told him to kill his victims.
13.
Son of Sam Laws prohibit serial killers/criminals from making money off of their crimes. There was speculation after David Berkowitz was arrested that he might try to sign a book or movie deal based on his story.
14.
Berkowitz regularly would provide counsel and advice to troubled inmates in prison.
15.
He was born Richard David Falco and eventually changed his name to David Richard Berkowitz.
16.
Police wanted to avoid bringing in a SWAT team to arrest Berkowitz, and instead waited for him to leave his home.
17.
There was a 1999 biopic based on the Son of Sam killings called 'Summer of Sam' and it was directed by Spike Lee.
18.
In total he murdered six people and injured nine.
19.
He now runs his own website, which includes a full written apology.
20.
Beauty stores in NYC couldn't keep wigs in stock after the police released victimology, as many women wanted to change their hair color.

1.
In 1979, an inmate tried to murder Berkowitz by slashing his throat. The wound needed 50 stitches to heal.
2.
In 2002, Berkowitz wrote a letter to the D.C. Sniper asking him to stop the killing.
3.
David Berkowitz is now a reformed Christian.
4.
David Berkowitz is the author of his own book, and all proceeds were to go to his victims' families.
5.
David Berkowitz claimed that 'Rich Girl' by Hall and Oates was inspiration for the murders. However the song hadn't even been released by the time he started killing.
6.
Hall and Oates would later reference Berkowitz's 'Rich Girl' claim in their song 'Diddy Doo Wop (I Hear the Voices)'.
7.
Son of Sam was really only caught because of an unpaid parking ticket on his Ford Galaxie.
8.
Berkowitz claimed that he was a member of a satanic cult.
9.
Berkowitz's weapon of choice was a Charter Arms Bulldog, which is why he also became known as the .44 Caliber Killer.
10.
As the Son of Sam killings were coming to an end, in October 1977 the Hillside Strangler was just getting started on the west coast.
11.
He has turned down parole multiple times stating that he 'got what he deserved.'
12.
David Berkowitz said that his neighbor's dog, Harvey (and the Devil) told him to kill his victims.
13.
Son of Sam Laws prohibit serial killers/criminals from making money off of their crimes. There was speculation after David Berkowitz was arrested that he might try to sign a book or movie deal based on his story.
14.
Berkowitz regularly would provide counsel and advice to troubled inmates in prison.
15.
He was born Richard David Falco and eventually changed his name to David Richard Berkowitz.
16.
Police wanted to avoid bringing in a SWAT team to arrest Berkowitz, and instead waited for him to leave his home.
17.
There was a 1999 biopic based on the Son of Sam killings called 'Summer of Sam' and it was directed by Spike Lee.
18.
In total he murdered six people and injured nine.
19.
He now runs his own website, which includes a full written apology.
20.
Beauty stores in NYC couldn't keep wigs in stock after the police released victimology, as many women wanted to change their hair color.

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1. In 1979, an inmate tried to murder Berkowitz by slashing his throat. The wound needed 50 stitches to heal.

2. In 2002, Berkowitz wrote a letter to the D.C. Sniper asking him to stop the killing.

3. David Berkowitz is now a reformed Christian.

4. David Berkowitz is the author of his own book, and all proceeds were to go to his victims' families.

5. David Berkowitz claimed that 'Rich Girl' by Hall and Oates was inspiration for the murders. However the song hadn't even been released by the time he started killing.

6. Hall and Oates would later reference Berkowitz's 'Rich Girl' claim in their song 'Diddy Doo Wop (I Hear the Voices)'.

7. Son of Sam was really only caught because of an unpaid parking ticket on his Ford Galaxie.

8. Berkowitz claimed that he was a member of a satanic cult.

9. Berkowitz's weapon of choice was a Charter Arms Bulldog, which is why he also became known as the .44 Caliber Killer.

10. As the Son of Sam killings were coming to an end, in October 1977 the Hillside Strangler was just getting started on the west coast.

11. He has turned down parole multiple times stating that he 'got what he deserved.'

12. David Berkowitz said that his neighbor's dog, Harvey (and the Devil) told him to kill his victims.

13. Son of Sam Laws prohibit serial killers/criminals from making money off of their crimes. There was speculation after David Berkowitz was arrested that he might try to sign a book or movie deal based on his story.

14. Berkowitz regularly would provide counsel and advice to troubled inmates in prison.

15. He was born Richard David Falco and eventually changed his name to David Richard Berkowitz.

16. Police wanted to avoid bringing in a SWAT team to arrest Berkowitz, and instead waited for him to leave his home.

17. There was a 1999 biopic based on the Son of Sam killings called 'Summer of Sam' and it was directed by Spike Lee.

18. In total he murdered six people and injured nine.

19. He now runs his own website, which includes a full written apology.

20. Beauty stores in NYC couldn't keep wigs in stock after the police released victimology, as many women wanted to change their hair color.

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1.
In 1979, an inmate tried to murder Berkowitz by slashing his throat. The wound needed 50 stitches to heal.

2.
In 2002, Berkowitz wrote a letter to the D.C. Sniper asking him to stop the killing.

3.
David Berkowitz is now a reformed Christian.

4.
David Berkowitz is the author of his own book, and all proceeds were to go to his victims' families.

5.
David Berkowitz claimed that 'Rich Girl' by Hall and Oates was inspiration for the murders. However the song hadn't even been released by the time he started killing.

6.
Hall and Oates would later reference Berkowitz's 'Rich Girl' claim in their song 'Diddy Doo Wop (I Hear the Voices)'.

7.
Son of Sam was really only caught because of an unpaid parking ticket on his Ford Galaxie.

8.
Berkowitz claimed that he was a member of a satanic cult.

9.
Berkowitz's weapon of choice was a Charter Arms Bulldog, which is why he also became known as the .44 Caliber Killer.

10.
As the Son of Sam killings were coming to an end, in October 1977 the Hillside Strangler was just getting started on the west coast.

11.
He has turned down parole multiple times stating that he 'got what he deserved.'

12.
David Berkowitz said that his neighbor's dog, Harvey (and the Devil) told him to kill his victims.

13.
Son of Sam Laws prohibit serial killers/criminals from making money off of their crimes. There was speculation after David Berkowitz was arrested that he might try to sign a book or movie deal based on his story.

14.
Berkowitz regularly would provide counsel and advice to troubled inmates in prison.

15.
He was born Richard David Falco and eventually changed his name to David Richard Berkowitz.

16.
Police wanted to avoid bringing in a SWAT team to arrest Berkowitz, and instead waited for him to leave his home.

17.
There was a 1999 biopic based on the Son of Sam killings called 'Summer of Sam' and it was directed by Spike Lee.

18.
In total he murdered six people and injured nine.

19.
He now runs his own website, which includes a full written apology.

20.
Beauty stores in NYC couldn't keep wigs in stock after the police released victimology, as many women wanted to change their hair color.