Who Is David Berkowitz? Age, Biography and Wiki
David Berkowitz, born on June 1, 1953, is an American serial killer infamously known as the "Son of Sam". Over the years, his life has been a subject of intrigue and fascination, particularly the chilling details surrounding his crimes in the late 1970s. As of 2025, Berkowitz is 71 years old. He was arrested in 1977 for multiple shootings that terrorized New York City, which led to a media frenzy and public fear.
Despite his dark past, Berkowitz has been an enigmatic figure, often discussing his transformation and religious beliefs while incarcerated. His story continues to evolve as new insights about his life emerge.
| Occupation | Serial Killers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 1, 1953 |
| Age | 72 Years |
| Birth Place | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
David Berkowitz's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
David Berkowitz's physical stats have changed over the years, especially during his time in prison. As of 2025, Berkowitz stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs around 175 pounds. His body shape and size reflect years of life behind bars, presenting a stark contrast to the young man who once roamed the streets of New York City in the 1970s. His current measurements include a significantly altered physique owing to lifestyle changes during his time in custody.
The first shooting attributed to Berkowitz occurred in the Pelham Bay neighborhood of the Bronx. At about 1:10 a.m. on July 29, 1976, Donna Lauria (18), an emergency medical technician, and her friend Jody Valenti (19), a nurse, were sitting in Valenti's double-parked Oldsmobile discussing their evening at Peachtree's, a New Rochelle discotheque.
Lauria opened the car door to leave and noticed a man quickly approaching. Startled and angered by the man's sudden appearance, she said, "Now what is this..." The man produced a gun from the paper bag he carried and crouched. Bracing one elbow on his knee, he aimed his weapon with both hands and fired.
Lauria was struck by one bullet that killed her instantly. Valenti was shot in her thigh, and a third bullet missed both women. The shooter turned and walked away quickly.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Regarding his family, Berkowitz's background is complex. His birth mother, Elizabeth, gave him up for adoption, and he was raised by the Berkowitz family. As for relationships, Berkowitz has often remained private about his romantic life. However, it is known that he has spent the majority of his adult life in incarceration. As of 2025, he does not have a girlfriend or a spouse, as his focus has primarily been on his faith and rehabilitation during his time in prison.
Within a few days of his birth, his biological mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Broder, gave the child away. Broder had grown up as part of an impoverished family and was working as a waitress. In 1936, she had married Tony Falco, an Italian American. After a marriage of less than four years, Falco left her for another woman.
Berkowitz's biological father, Joseph Kleinman, was a married businessman who, like Berkowitz's mother, was Jewish.
Net Worth and Salary
David Berkowitz's net worth is relatively modest, especially considering the nature of his past. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is around $10,000. Due to his incarceration since the late '70s, he has not had a traditional career, and thus does not draw a salary in the conventional sense. His financial situation is primarily supported by small amounts drawn from his prison job and occasional sales of letters or art pieces.
Career, Business and Investments
Berkowitz's career has been nonexistent in the traditional sense due to his long incarceration. However, he has engaged in various prison activities, including artistic pursuits and writing. His expressions of remorse and discussions about his life choices have been shared through letters and interviews, leading to discussions around his psychological evaluations. Berkowitz has also reportedly involved himself in outreach programs within the prison, aiming to help others who struggle with similar issues.
Diel's recollection is that he physically bumped into Berkowitz outside the Wine Gallery restaurant as he and Freund departed and walked to his car where the shooting occurred; Berkowitz, in contrast, told police that he passed within a few feet of Diel and Freund shortly before they entered the car.
Diel contends he and Freund passed no one on their way to the car, and that the position of the car parked at the curb would have made it impossible for Berkowitz to have sneaked up on them in the few minutes between their encounter outside the restaurant and the shooting at the car; Diel thus reasons he was shot by someone other than Berkowitz.
Social Network
In terms of social presence, David Berkowitz has limited access to the outside world. There are various fan pages and discussions about him online, but Berkowitz himself does not maintain an active social media presence due to prison restrictions. He has expressed opinions on his notoriety during interviews, making him a subject of interest in discussions regarding crime and rehabilitation.
Berkowitz was arrested on August 10, 1977, and subsequently indicted for eight shootings. He confessed to all of them, and initially claimed to have been obeying the orders of a demon manifested in the form of a black dog, "Sam", belonging to his neighbor.
After being found mentally competent to stand trial, he pled guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to six consecutive life sentences in state prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. He subsequently admitted the dog-and-devil story was a hoax.
In police investigations, Berkowitz was also implicated in many unsolved arsons in the city.
Education
Berkowitz's formal education is not widely detailed, but he completed high school and had limited further education before his criminal actions took precedence. During his time in prison, he reportedly pursued self-education, reading religious texts and studying various topics that interest him. This educational journey has been a significant part of his rehabilitation process.
Berkowitz claimed when he was 22, he committed his first attack on Christmas Eve 1975, when he used a hunting knife to stab two women in Co-op City. The first alleged victim, a Hispanic woman, was never identified by police.
The second was 15-year-old Michelle Forman, a sophomore at Truman High School, whom he stabbed six times on a bridge near Dreiser Loop and whose injuries were serious enough for her to be hospitalized for a week. Berkowitz was not suspected of these crimes, and soon afterward he relocated to an apartment in Yonkers.
