Where is David Berkowitz now? The Son of Sam Tapes subject explained
Netflix is expanding its Conversations with a Killer series.
Netflix is continuing its Conversations with a Killer series, and is releasing a brand new documentary about infamous serial killer David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam.
The Son of Sam Tapes takes viewers inside the New York City Police Department's race to catch Berkowitz, and into the mind of the man himself.
Featuring new recordings, this documentary offers a "rare insight into his twisted psyche, revealing what was going through his mind as he unleashed a reign of terror in the late 1970s", as per the synopsis.
"At the heart of Conversations with a Killer lies a commitment to unraveling the complex minds of notorious criminals while providing a space for those closest to the crimes to find closure," director Joe Berlinger told Tudum.
"With The Son of Sam Tapes, we delve into the world of David Berkowitz and his chilling influence on 1970s New York City.
"These rare tapes reveal unnerving insights into his psyche, shedding light on the intricate details of the case and the pervasive fear that gripped the city. Through these tapes, we hope to not only revisit history, but to bring clarity and depth to a narrative that has long intrigued and unsettled the public."
Read on to learn more about David Berkowitz, and his current whereabouts.
Who is David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam?
David Berkowitz, also known as the Son of Sam, is a US serial killer and former soldier who is responsible for a number of stabbings and shootings across a two-year period in New York City in the '70s.
Berkowitz was born Richard David Falco, and was adopted by Pearl and Nathan Berkowitz when he was a child.
Growing up, he became involved with "petty larceny and pyromania [an uncontrollable urge to start fire]", according to historic reports.
It was in the mid-'70s when Berkowitz began committing violent crimes, and between 1975 and 1977, he killed six people and wounded 11.
He would often terrorise residents of New York with letters to the police in which he promised to commit more crimes.
In April 1977, Berkowitz shot 20-year-old Alexander Esau and 18-year-old Valentina Suriani in the head and police believed the weapon used for the crime was the same they had suspected in prior shootings.
Next to the bodies of Esau and Suriani was a handwritten letter in which Berkowitz signed off as 'Son of Sam', with a passage of the letter reading: "Police - let me haunt you with these words: I'll be back! I'll be back!"
Berkowitz was eventually captured in August 1977 after the authorities investigated his car and found a gun in the back seat, along with a duffel bag with ammunition, maps of the crime scenes and a letter addressed to Inspector Timothy Dowd, the deputy chief of NYPD who led the Son of Sam manhunt.
Where is David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam, now?
After his arrest, Berkowitz confessed to the murders and was sentenced to six consecutive life sentences.
As of 2025, Berkowitz is a 72-year-old man has imprisoned in Shawangunk Correctional Facility.
He became eligible for parole in 2002 but has been rejected with every attempt.
Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes is available to watch on Netflix now. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.
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Authors
Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.
