10 Strange Facts about Son of Sam Serial Killer David Berkowitz
Ask anyone to name the worst serial killers of all time, and the odds are good that David Berkowitz will make the list. Better known by the nickname given to him by the media, Son of Sam, he killed six people and wounded seven during a murderous rampage that took place in New York over the course of a year. Berkowitz attempted an insanity plea and claimed that his neighbor’s dog talked to him and told him to go on his rampage. The insanity plea failed to save him
, and Berkowitz found himself sent to prison.The Son of Sam ranks right up there with John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy and all the other infamous serial killers throughout history. Though his death toll was lower than those associated with other killers, there is something about his legacy that lives on. Find out more with our list of weird Berkowitz facts.10He Was Adopted as a Child
9His Attacks Began Earlier Than Most Think
8A Task Force Went After Him
7He Named Himself
6He Almost Got Away With It
David Berkowitz’s Ford Galaxie Gave Him Away
Despite taunting the police with a letter and shooting at least four people after sending the letter, Berkowitz came very close to getting away with the attacks. During the early stages of the investigation, police believed that the killer had some connection to the NYPD or another police department due to the way he held his gun. There were a few early reports that indicated police believed the shooter was actually two men. As there were some differences in the early attacks, police thought that they attacks were not connected. After identifying the murder weapon, they thought those differences indicated two men working together.
Berkowitz also came close to walking away free and clear later in the investigation. A young woman came forward to speak with police about a man she spotted near one of the last murders and about the eerie way that he looked at her. Police identified a 1970 Ford Galaxie as being one of the cars on the street that night. A representative from the NYPD spoke with officers working for the Yonkers Police Department and uncovered some startling facts.
YPD officers admitted that they had their doubts about Berkowitz and that some of the crimes he committed in the past were similar to crimes mentioned in the infamous Son of Sam letter. Officers later found weapons and ammunition inside his car. After a warrant allowed them to search his car, they found additional proof of his crimes. Upon arriving at his home to serve him a warrant, Berkowitz gave up on the spot. His insults continued even then, as he asked police, “what took you so long?”.
5A Dog Spoke to Him, Not Really
4He Actually Helps Others in Prison
3He Turned Down Parole Hearings
2He’s the Reason for the Son of Sam Law
11. He Became a Born Again Christian
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