15 Chilling Facts About David Berkowitz: Where Is The 'Son Of Sam' Now In 2025?

Few names in American true crime history evoke the sheer terror and panic that David Berkowitz, the infamous "Son of Sam," unleashed upon New York City in the mid-1970s. For 13 months, a wave of seemingly random shootings gripped the city, leaving six people dead and seven wounded, with the killer taunting police and the public through chilling, cryptic letters. As of December 18, 2025, Berkowitz remains incarcerated, but his life behind bars has transformed into something almost unrecognizable from the demonic figure he once claimed to be, having embraced a new identity as a born-again Christian and a prison minister.

The world remains morbidly fascinated by the man behind the .44 Caliber Killer moniker, particularly his current status and the details of his life sentence. This deep dive explores the complete biography of David Berkowitz, details the terror he inflicted, and provides the most recent, confirmed updates on his life today within the New York State correctional system, including his repeated parole denials and his controversial prison ministry work.

I. The Complete Profile and Biography of David Berkowitz

David Richard Berkowitz was born on June 1, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York. Adopted as an infant by a Jewish-American couple, Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz, he grew up in the Bronx and Queens. His early life was marked by emotional instability, a troubled relationship with his adoptive mother's death, and a brief, unremarkable stint in the U.S. Army, serving in South Korea.

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The anonymity of his early life was shattered by the crime spree that began in 1976. He was eventually captured on August 10, 1977, outside his apartment in Yonkers, New York, following a massive, city-wide manhunt.

• Full Name: David Richard Berkowitz
• Born: June 1, 1953 (Age 72 in 2025)
• Aliases: Son of Sam, .44 Caliber Killer, The Monster of the Boroughs
• Known Crimes: Six murders, seven attempted murders (wounded)
• Weapon: Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special Revolver
• Sentence: Six consecutive life sentences (365 years)
• Current Location: Shawangunk Correctional Facility, New York

The Infamous 'Son of Sam' Letters

The nickname "Son of Sam" originated from the chilling letters Berkowitz left at or near crime scenes, which were addressed to the police and prominent journalists like Jimmy Breslin. In these letters, he claimed that the murders were ordered by a demonic entity speaking to him through a neighbor's dog named "Harvey." This bizarre claim initially led to a psychiatric defense, but he was ultimately deemed competent to stand trial.

II. The Reign of Terror: The Victims of the .44 Caliber Killer

Berkowitz’s crime spree targeted young women with long, dark hair, often while they were sitting in cars with their boyfriends. The attacks spanned several boroughs of New York City, including Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn, plunging the entire metropolitan area into fear. The random nature of the attacks made every late-night outing a potential death sentence.

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The following is a list of the six individuals murdered by David Berkowitz and key victims who were wounded, highlighting the scope of the terror he inflicted on the city:

The Six Murder Victims

• Donna Lauria (18): Murdered on July 29, 1976, in the Bronx. She was the first person killed in the spree.
• Christine Freund (26): Killed on January 30, 1977, in Queens. Her fiancé, John Diel, was wounded.
• Valentina Suriani (20): Murdered on March 8, 1977, in the Bronx. Her boyfriend, Alexander Esau, was also killed in the attack.
• Alexander Esau (20): Killed alongside Valentina Suriani. Berkowitz left his first "Son of Sam" letter near their bodies.
• Stacy Moskowitz (20): Killed on July 31, 1977, in Brooklyn. Her date, Robert Violante, was blinded in one eye and severely injured. This was the final murder before Berkowitz's capture.

The sheer volume of law enforcement resources dedicated to the case, involving the New York Police Department (NYPD) and various task forces, was unprecedented. The case broke when a parking ticket issued near the final crime scene was traced back to Berkowitz’s car, leading detectives to his Yonkers address.

III. The 'Son of Hope': David Berkowitz's Life in Prison Ministry Today

The most significant and perhaps most controversial aspect of David Berkowitz's life since his incarceration is his profound religious conversion. Sometime in the mid-1980s, Berkowitz became a born-again Christian, an event he claims completely changed his life and his perspective on his crimes. He now refers to himself as the "Son of Hope," a direct counterpoint to his infamous moniker.

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Current Status at Shawangunk Correctional Facility

As of 2025, David Berkowitz is housed at the Shawangunk Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in Ulster County, New York. He is not a typical inmate; he actively participates in a Christian ministry program within the prison walls.

• Prison Role: Berkowitz works as a pastor and spiritual counselor, walking the prison halls with a Gideons Bible. He runs an outreach ministry and is involved in a program for visually impaired inmates.
• Writings: He has published his personal testimony and writings in a book titled Son of Hope: The Prison Journals of David Berkowitz, where he expresses deep remorse for his actions and details his spiritual journey.
• Remorse and Apology: In numerous interviews and statements, Berkowitz has expressed profound regret, calling his crimes "senseless" and "horrendous." He states that the "demons" he once blamed were metaphors for his own mental illness and spiritual emptiness.

The Parole Stance and Latest Denials

Despite his model prisoner status, Berkowitz has been consistently denied parole. He is eligible for a parole hearing every two years, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has repeatedly rejected his applications.

In a twist that separates him from most high-profile inmates, Berkowitz has, on multiple occasions, actively declined or skipped his parole hearings, stating that he does not deserve to be released. He believes his life sentence is just punishment and that he can do more good by remaining in prison to counsel others than by seeking freedom. His 12th parole denial, which occurred in recent years, confirmed that he will remain incarcerated for the foreseeable future.

The "Son of Sam" remains a permanent fixture in the American consciousness, a dark symbol of a city's panic and a complex case study in criminal psychology and prison rehabilitation. While the terror he inflicted is a permanent scar on New York City history, his current existence is defined by a life of atonement and spiritual service within the confines of Shawangunk Correctional Facility.