logo
Son of Sam victim says serial killer's friend told her ‘David didn't do this'

Son of Sam victim says serial killer's friend told her ‘David didn't do this'

Independent19-07-2025
A woman who was shot by the "Son of Sam" killer almost 60 years ago had to revisit her terrifying experience this week when she was confronted by one of David Berkowitz's friends.
On Wednesday, Wendy Savino was at the Valley Cottage Library in Rockland County, New York, when she was confronted by Frank DeGennaro, a friend of Berkowitz's who insisted the Son of Sam killer did not shoot her.
Savino, 88, told the New York Post that when she left the library, she saw a man standing outside staring at her.
'So I try to walk around him and he says, 'You're Wendy Savino, aren't you? Well, I just want you to know David is very upset about what happened to you. David wants to talk to you," she said, quoting DeGennaro. "'David wants you to know he didn't do it.'"
Savino was injured in 1976 when Berkowitz, now 72, shot her while she was sitting in her car in the Bronx. She said she tried to play dead after she realized the gunman was still outside her car, but Berkowitz fired twice more into her back.
She managed to crawl down a street to a restaurant where the staff called for help.
Last year, NYPD investigators announced that her shooting was the first victim of the Son of Sam, who went on to kill six victims and wound two others between 1976 and 1977.
Berkowitz never faced charges for the shooting because the statute of limitations had expired.
After DeGennaro told Savino that he was friends with Berkowitz, she asked him to write down his name. She then gave the name to her son, Jason, and they called the Clarkstown Police Department to report the encounter.
'He had me backed into a corner,' she said. 'He's just talking and talking about the same thing. 'David's a really good person.''
DeGennaro told the New York Post that he received a call from the police, but wasn't charged as he had committed no crime. He insisted he wasn't trying to scare Savino.
He told the paper that he became friends with Berkowitz 30 years ago after writing him a letter from prison. He said the two men bonded over their shared Christian faith.
DeGennaro said that he also happens to live in Clarkstown and visits the same library as Savino. He said he was surprised to run into her and added that he had not told her Berkowitz wanted to talk.
'I realize now that it was probably the wrong thing to do, to even talk to her,' he told the paper. 'This is getting blown out of proportion.'
While the encounter was likely terrifying for Savino and perhaps sobering for DeGennaro, it's a great bit of unintentional marketing for Netflix, which is releasing a documentary about Berkowitz on July 30 titled "Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes."
The documentary focuses on recently discovered recorded interviews with Berkowitz.
The Son of Sam killer confessed to his crimes in 1978, pleading guilty to six counts of second-degree murder and seven counts of attempted second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for each murder, and has been denied parole 12 times.
Savino said the encounter left her "very nervous."
'I was always afraid someone would come to me and say 'I'll finish you off for David.''
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Man, 31, arrested on suspicion of murder after quadruple stabbing that killed two men at London business
Man, 31, arrested on suspicion of murder after quadruple stabbing that killed two men at London business

Daily Mail​

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Man, 31, arrested on suspicion of murder after quadruple stabbing that killed two men at London business

A man aged 31 has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two people were killed in a quadruple stabbing at a London business. The Metropolitan Police announced the charges faced by a man from Hackney, east London, who had initially been detained following Monday's attacks in Southwark. He remains in hospital with injuries not thought to be life-threatening, Scotland Yard said today. Emergency services were called to Long Lane in Bermondsey at about 1pm on Monday following reports of multiple stabbings inside a commercial address. A 58-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene and a 27-year-old man later died in hospital. Two other men, both in their 30s, were also taken to hospital. The Metropolitan Police said the attack was not being treated as terror-related. The stabbings are understood to have taken place near consultancy firm Prospira Global and housing provider Trademark Homes. A resident, who asked not to be named, told the PA news agency: 'It's terrifying. 'I walk past there all the time - it makes you feel really uneasy. 'You just don't expect something like this to happen on a normal weekday.' Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation. Det Chief Supt Emma Bond, who leads policing for the area, said today: 'Our thoughts are first and foremost with the family and friends of the victims of this tragic incident. 'Our investigation continues at pace and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances. 'I understand there may be concern in the local community and there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days. I would also encourage anyone who may be worried to speak to an officer.' A crime scene remains in place and officers continue to investigate the circumstances. The stabbings are understood to have taken place near consultancy firm Prospira Global and housing provider Trademark Homes Police said they were aware of speculation the arrested man was staying at a nearby hotel but that this was not the case. Natasha Ennin, Southwark Council's cabinet member for community safety and neighbourhoods, said she was 'horrified and deeply saddened' by the deaths in the borough. She added that her 'heartfelt condolences' went out to the families and friends of those involved and called on anyone with information to report it. Anyone with information can also call 101, report online or contact 'X'@METCC and quote CAD3499/28.

Man arrested after quadruple stabbing at Bermondsey business
Man arrested after quadruple stabbing at Bermondsey business

BBC News

time5 hours ago

  • BBC News

Man arrested after quadruple stabbing at Bermondsey business

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a quadruple stabbing at a business in south-east men aged 58 and 27 were killed and another two taken to hospital following the stabbing on Long Lane in Bermondsey at about 13:00 BST on Monday.A third man, in his 30s, who was detained in connection with the incident is in hospital in a life-threatening condition, and a fourth man in his 30s is also in hospital. His injuries are not believed to be victims were believed to have been known to each other, the Metropolitan Police said. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store