David Berkowitz, originally named Richard David Falco, was born to a mother who had him out of wedlock following an affair with a married real estate agent, Joseph Klineman. After being abandoned by his birth mother, he was adopted by Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz, who gave him the name David. Growing up, Berkowitz struggled with feelings of inadequacy, particularly in his interactions with women. He worked various jobs, including as a postman and a security guard.
In 1974, Berkowitz began to experience auditory hallucinations, claiming that these voices compelled him to kill. He attributed some of his distress to a neighbor's barking dog, a black Labrador named Sam, which he believed was tormenting him. Berkowitz's violent spree commenced on July 29, 1976, ultimately leading him to murder six individuals, predominantly targeting young couples in parked cars. His victims were notably women with long, dark hair, instilling fear throughout New York City and prompting women to alter their appearances for safety.
The media dubbed him the ".44 Caliber Killer" due to the weapon he used—a .44 caliber Bulldog revolver. Following a series of murders, a task force named 'Operation Omega' was established to apprehend him. Berkowitz's identity as the "Son of Sam" emerged after he left letters addressed to police and journalists, revealing his persona. He was apprehended on August 10, 1977, after police traced a parking ticket to him. Berkowitz confessed to his crimes and, despite being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was deemed competent for trial. He was sentenced to six consecutive life terms on August 23, 1977.
