Latest news with #ConversationswithaKiller
Daily Record
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix true crime documentary uncovers chilling audio from Son of Sam killer who terrorised New York
Netflix's latest true crime docuseries focuses on the infamous 'Son of Sam' murderer David Berkowitz, whose crimes took over New York in the 1970s. David Berkowitz, better known as the notorious serial killer 'Son of Sam', terrorised New York City from 1976 - 1977, unleashing fear and anxiety that gripped the city for over a year. Now, nearly five decades later, Netflix is revisiting the infamous case in Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes, a gripping three-part docuseries. This latest instalment in Netflix's acclaimed Conversations with a Killer series offers a fresh perspective on the case, featuring never-before-heard prison audio of Berkowitz himself, alongside archival footage and raw, first-person recollections from survivors and investigators. Now available to stream, the docuseries follows the previous Conversations with a Killer seasons that explored the crimes of Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy and Jeffery Dahmer. The mastermind behind these limited docuseries is Emmy winner and Academy Award nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger. Speaking to Deadline, Berlinger reflected on the audience's fascination with these dark stories and the success of the Ted Bundy series, saying: "Once that first show was a hit, then it was a floodgate." The new season turns its attention to David Berkowitz, a former American Army soldier who killed six people and wounded eleven others between 1975 and 1977 in a brutal spree of shootings and stabbings. Originally dubbed the 44 Caliber Killer, Berkowitz began his murder rampage on July 29, 1976, when he approached 18-year-old medic-in-training Donna Lauria and her friend, 19-year-old nurse Jody Valenti, in the Bronx. Donna was killed instantly, and Jody survived with injuries. The murder marked the beginning of a horrifying series of attacks that left New Yorkers living in fear. As the city remained on edge, Berkowitz taunted police and the media with letters signed under the pseudonym "Son of Sam." His victims, two men and four women, ranged in age from 18 to 25. Authorities finally captured Berkowitz in August 1977. He confessed to the murders and was sentenced to six consecutive life terms in 1978, a sentence he continues to serve today. During his trial, Berkowitz claimed that he was driven to kill by a demon-possessed dog named, belonging to his neighbour Sam. The Netflix documentary features never heard audio interviews recorded in 1980 at Attica Correctional Facility by reporter Jack Jones, providing intimate and chilling insights into Berkowitz's mind. Filmmaker Berlinger stated: "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," he concluded. The documentary has 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and viewers have taken to X, formally known as Twitter to discuss the show. One viewer hailed it one of the best, writing: "Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes may be one of their best true crime docuseries." While another said: "The Son of Sam tapes on Netflix was done very well." Additionally, another viewer recommended the docuseries, stating: "Watching the Son Of Sam tapes on Netflix, you guy need to watch this its crazy. The documentary is also wild too"
Daily Mirror
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Son of Sam serial killer 'possessed by demon dog' as Netflix uncovers new tapes
David Berkowitz terrorised New York for more than a year and now Netflix is covering his crimes in The Son of Sam Tapes New York was paralysed by fear for a whole year serial murderer David Berkowitz roamed the city's boroughs, firing his weapon indiscriminately. Now Netflix is releasing chilling recordings in The Son of Sam Tapes documentary, str The series explores the mind and Berkowitz's haunting past , featuring newly unearthed audio interviews recorded with him by reporter Jack Jones in 1980 at Attica Correctional Facility in Wyoming County, New York. The three-part The Son of Sam Tapes features interviews with detectives, journalists, and survivors of Berkowitz's attacks community. Emmy-winning and Academy Award-nominated Joe Berlinger, who produced and directed the series, said: "'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. '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.' Berkowitz claimed the lives of six individuals and wounded seven others during his murderous rampage that began in the summer of 1976 and continued into 1977. Berkowitz was apprehended in August 1977 following a string of peculiar letters he sent to the police and journalists. In these letters, he taunted the authorities and promised more carnage as they had failed to catch him. He gave himself the moniker Son of Sam, a sinister alias that remained, and concocted an utterly outlandish reason for his crimes. Berkowitz alleged he was under the control of a demon, which had taken over his neighbour's dog, Harvey. This ruthless murderer maintained he was merely executing the demon's commands. According to Berkowitz, Harvey the dog was owned by his neighbour, whom he referred to as Sam. In some of his eerie correspondence with the police, Berkowitz confessed to being a "monster" but claimed he wasn't in charge of his actions. In one deranged message, he wrote: "I am deeply hurt by your calling me a woman hater. I am not. But I am a monster. I am the Son of Sam. When father Sam gets drunk, he gets mean. He beats his family. Sometimes he ties me up to the back of the house. Other times he locks me in the garage. Sam loves to drink blood. 'Go out and kill', commands father Sam." Berkowitz was adopted by a Jewish couple and his childhood has often been described as "troubled". He harboured an obsession with arson and in a peculiar diary uncovered post-arrest, he claimed to have ignited nearly 1,500 fires across New York. Described by peers as a bully, his adoptive father deceived him into believing his birth mother had died during childbirth. Upon leaving the army, Berkowitz reunited with his birth mother, an encounter he recalled as "wonderful". However, the deception tainted much of his life. Reflecting on his past, Berkowitz remarked: "Looking in retrospect, that characterised much of my life." He admitted: "I struggled a lot with depression as a child and obsessions with death because I thought I deserved to die." His teenage years were further marred when his adoptive mother died; they had shared a close bond, and her loss left him struggling. Berkowitz said: "When you lose someone that you love is a sense of mourning. I tried to put it out of my mind. I was carrying around a lot of guilt. I was carrying around a lot of shame that I deserved to be punished. I can't explain those things. Maybe I was angry at God and then, well, my birth mother and then, of course, my adoptive mother too. You know I found it very difficult." By the mid-1970s, grappling with being born out of wedlock, Berkowitz began a spree of increasingly violent offences. On Christmas Eve in 1975, he attempted his first murder, but it ended disastrously. Armed with a hunting knife, Berkowitz attacked two women. One victim has tragically remained unidentified, while the other, Michelle Forman, managed to survive despite severe injuries – Berkowitz evaded any suspicion. The turning point came when an old army mate gifted Berkowitz a. 44 caliber Bulldog revolver, sparking a dark fixation. Berkowitz's reign of terror began on July 29, 1976, with his inaugural killing. Donna Lauria and Jody Valenti were deep in conversation inside a car when Donna opened the door, only to be confronted by a threatening figure. That figure was Berkowitz, who brandished his gun from a paper bag, leaned into the vehicle, and fired. Donna died on the spot, while Jody sustained a leg wound. Berkowitz vanished as swiftly as he had arrived. Jody lived but could only provide a vague description of the assailant: a white man in his 30s with short, curly, dark hair. Three months on, Berkowitz replicated his earlier method in another attack. Carl Denaro and Rosemary Keenan were talking in their car when suddenly it "exploded" around them. Carl suffered a headshot and required a metal plate implant, though both miraculously survived without catching a glimpse of their attacker. A month later, Donna DeMasi and Joanne Lomino were chatting on Joanne's front porch post-cinema trip. The two teenagers spotted a dark-haired man emerging from the shadows in military attire. He began to ask them a question but before he could finish, he drew a gun and shot both victims once. Despite being shot in the neck, Donna's injuries were not life-threatening. However, Joanne had been shot in the back and was left permanently paralysed after the horrifying incident. Berkowitz's next attack would result in his second murder in January 1977. Christine Freund and John Diel were sitting in their car following a cinema trip. They were planning to carry on with their night out when their car was struck by three gunshots. John managed to drive away and had only suffered minor injuries but Christine had been shot twice and passed away in hospital a few hours later. Her death marked the first time police began to connect the shootings. Less than two months later Virginia Voskerichian was walking home from college when Berkowitz once again appeared out of nowhere. The 19-year-old attempted to use her textbooks as a shield but they proved ineffective against the bullets and she was killed. Police were now convinced the shootings were connected and held a press conference, causing a wave of fear to sweep through the city. In April, Alexander Esau and Valentina Suriani were once again sitting and chatting in a car when they were both shot twice. Valentina was declared dead at the scene while Alexander died a couple of hours later in hospital. He was unable to describe their attacker before he died. It was after this heinous act that Berkowitz infamously coined his chilling moniker, leaving a note at the scene of the crime signed as Son of Sam. In the letter where he referred to himself as a monster, it read: "Papa Sam keeps me locked in the attic, too. "I can't get out but I look out the attic window and watch the world go by. I feel like an outsider. I am on a different wave length then everybody else - programmed to kill. However, to stop me you must kill me." Upon examining the letter, police had a psychologist assess it, who concluded that the murderer likely suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and believed they were possessed. Yet, this was merely the beginning of Berkowitz's correspondence. He also sent a missive to Daily News columnist Jimmy Breslin, marking the envelope with 'blood and family, darkness and death, absolute depravity,. 44'. Berkowitz wrote in the letter: "Hello from the gutters of N.Y.C. which are filled with dog manure, vomit, stale wine, urine and blood. "Don't forget Donna Lauria and don't let the people forget her either. "She was a very, very sweet girl but Sam's a thirsty lad and he won't let me stop killing until he gets his fill of blood." He even addressed the detectives on the case: "Please inform all the detectives working the slaying to remain. Please inform all the detectives working the case that I wish them the best of luck. "Keep 'em digging, drive on, think positive, get off your butts, knock on coffins, etc. Upon my capture I promise to buy all the guys working the case a new pair of shoes if I can get up the money. Son of Sam." The letter was published in the New York Daily News, with Breslin urging the killer to surrender to the authorities. Yet Berkowitz's reign of terror was not yet at an end – he was gearing up for another attack. A mere month after his initial taunting message to the police, Berkowitz set his sights on Sal Lupo and Judy Pacido as they sat chatting in their car. The car was riddled with three bullets. Sal sustained a gunshot wound to his arm, while Judy suffered injuries to her head, shoulder, and neck. Miraculously, both survived despite not catching sight of their assailant. However, nearby witnesses did report spotting a dark-haired man lurking near the crime scene. Despite the police stepping up patrols in areas previously haunted by the murderer, Berkowitz switched up his location for his final onslaught in July 1977. As Stacy Moskowitz and Robert Violante shared a kiss in their car, Berkowitz materialised from the shadows and unleashed four shots into the vehicle. Both were struck in the head; Robert tragically lost an eye, and Stacy succumbed to her wounds. This time, however, there was a witness who got a good look at the perpetrator. Cacilia Davis, out walking her dog, crossed paths with Berkowitz who gave her a chilling stare before she continued on, only to hear gunshots moments later. Overwhelmed by fear, it took her four days to muster the courage to inform the police of her encounter. Officers scoured the area for any cars that had been ticketed nearby, and Berkowitz's vehicle was on the list. The police bided their time outside his residence, waiting to nab him and to secure a search warrant for his flat and car on August 11, 1977. Emerging from his apartment, Berkowitz was met by Detective John Falotico who decided to make a move towards his car. Inside the vehicle, they discovered the. 44-caliber Bulldog revolver, and Berkowitz immediately owned up to being "Sam". Within just half an hour of intense questioning, Berkowitz spilled the beans about his killing spree but claimed his neighbour's black Labrador, Harvey, was inhabited by an ancient demon that commanded him to commit the murders. After being assessed by three medical experts, he was found fit to stand trial and in May 1978, he entered a guilty plea for all the shootings. He received a sentence of 25 years for each murder, to be served one after the other, and has remained behind bars ever since. Berkowitz is often cited as a "model" prisoner, yet he has consistently declined to seek parole at his hearings.
Time Magazine
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
The True Story Behind Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes
Nearly 50 years after the arrest of David Berkowitz, the serial killer who terrorized New York City between 1976 and 1977, a new documentary series, Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes, explores that chilling period in history. Out July 30, the three-part series features audio of past interviews Berkowitz did with Rochester Democrat and Chronicle journalist Jack Jones, plus a new interview with Berkowitz, who is serving a life sentence in upstate New York. Berkowitz, now 72, has never shied away from media attention. Before he was caught—a parking ticket traced his getaway car to his home address—he sent letters to police detectives and even the New York City tabloid columnist Jimmy Breslin encouraging them to keep up the search for him. Conversations with a Killer also features interviews with the victims' loved ones, researchers, and former law enforcement assigned to the case. Here's how the series explores what drove Berkowitz to murder. Childhood resentment The series traces the origins of Berkowitz's discontent to his adoption in 1953. While the Bronx native was adopted by a couple that loved to dote on him, one day, his father told Berkowitz that he was adopted, his mother died in childbirth, and his biological father didn't want him. 'I thought there was a man out there that hated me and was possibly going to try to kill me for causing the death of his wife,' Berkowitz tells Jones. He wasn't the same after that moment, and though his adoptive mother loved him, he began to lash out at her, tearing her blouses and ripping her lipstick out of its container. When he graduated high school, he found out that his biological mother was actually alive and visited her. He learned that he was born out of wedlock, and his father didn't want to stick around. As he wrote in a letter, he felt like an 'outsider' who was on a 'different wave length than everybody.' In the recordings, Berkowitz says: 'It brings me back to the idea of women, young girls having sex in a car with guys. Carelessness, you know? It was kind of degrading to me to see that I was an accident…Anger took over to replace the guilt.' He describes himself as a 'loner' who felt 'stigmatized for adoption' and got to a point where 'I was so angry, I blamed others, and I started committing my crimes to make people pay attention to me.' When Berkowitz realized he was the product of an affair, he began 'targeting young lovers having illicit sex in their cars, producing unwanted children, so that there wouldn't be another child born with this level of alienation and resentment,' director Joe Berlinger says. 'But obviously lots of children discover that they're adopted, and lots of children have traumatic childhoods, and they don't turn into killers. So that's what endlessly fascinates me: Where is that line where somebody will go off the deep end versus somebody who will just soldier on?' Reign of terror There wasn't initially a clear trend in his targets, so New Yorkers were paralyzed with fear. Women with long brown hair were advised to get shorter haircuts or wear their long locks in a ponytail. Some even bleached their hair blond and donned baggy clothing on a night out. Many parents begged their daughters to have their dates at home or put off dating until the killer was caught. As TIME reported in the Aug. 15, 1977, issue of the magazine, 'If terrorists might well pose a greater potential danger to more people, there was much more apprehension of the threat of random shots in the dark from the lone gunman. He has haunted lovers' lanes, attacked couples coming from strobe-lighted discotheques, even opened fire at a pair of girls on a house porch and shot another as he passed her on a street.' Several of the victims were couples. Berkowitz was always disappointed that he struggled to have a romantic relationship with a woman. He sought out women who reminded him of what his birth mother might have been like at a young age. 'I felt like this is what I had to do, like I felt I was getting revenge,' he can be heard saying in a recording in the doc. His first target, Wendy Savino, appears in Conversations of a Killer. The New York Police Department confirmed in 2024 that she was the first 'Son of Sam' victim. He shot her on April 9, 1976, with a different revolver than the one he used to kill the other victims, so that was one reason authorities missed the connection initially. Now 88, she pulls out a sketch of Berkowitz in the doc and says, 'I've been carrying this around in my handbag for 47 years.' Lessons from 'Son of Sam' for today 'I actually think this case is a foundational case in our current and ever-growing obsession with crime,' Berlinger says. 'The way Berkowitz interacted with the media, the way the media willingly cooperated, I mean, everyone in New York couldn't wait for the next headline and next newspaper to buy. This is obviously before the 24-hour news cycle, before social media.' Berlinger notes that back in the 1970s, police departments weren't readily sharing computerized data with one another the way they do today. As he puts it, 'the '70s and early '80s was kind of the golden age of serial killers going on for a long time before they were caught.' Despite conspiracy theories that suggest 'Son of Sam' refers to multiple killers, Conversations with a Killer makes clear that Berkowitz was the sole perpetrator, arguing that when Berkowitz was arrested, the killings stopped. The series ends with Berlinger asking Berkowitz two questions in a 2024 phone interview. When Berlinger asks Berkowitz what he wants people to know about his story, Berkowitz emphasizes that he's very sorry for the murders, that he was in a 'dark space' in his life, and that his life 'spun out of control, and I just couldn't get on that right path.' Then, when Berlinger asks Berkowitz what advice he'd give to his younger self, he says that he should have gotten help sooner, stating, ''Dave, run for your life. Get help.' I could have gone to my dad. I could have gone to my sister. But I kept everything to myself…I wish I could start all over again and take a better path in life.' While Berlinger wrestled with whether to give the serial killer a platform, he thought viewers could learn from this answer. 'That just touched me so deeply,' he says. 'Putting that message out there can help somebody realize, 'I'm feeling some of this rage. I need to get help,' or empower people to encourage someone with a lot of pent-up anger to seek help."
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes OTT release date - When and where to watch the docu-series
Conversations with a Killer The Son of Sam Tapes OTT release date: Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes is a forthcoming three-part documentary series that explores the harrowing story of David Berkowitz, one of the country's most infamous serial killers. By featuring firsthand accounts from detectives, journalists, and survivors, the series brings fresh insights and lesser-known aspects of the case to light. Here's what you need to know about its streaming release and where you can watch it online. Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes trailer The trailer was shared with the caption, 'One of the greatest manhunts in New York City history comes to life in this gripping three-part series. Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes takes viewers inside the NYPD's desperate race to catch the infamous .44-caliber killer—and into the disturbing mind of David Berkowitz himself.' Reacting to it, one wrote, 'Netflix is the king of true crime documentaries.' Another added, 'I remember this case in NY. My older sister was terrified to go out.' Conversations with a Killer The Son of Sam Tapes OTT release date Conversations with a Killer The Son of Sam Tapes will be released on 30th July 2025 on Netflix. What is Conversations with a Killer The Son of Sam Tapes about? The Son of Sam Tapes marks the fourth installment in the Conversations with a Killer series and revisits the notorious murders that terrorized New York City during a time already marked by high crime and neglect. The documentary takes a deeper look into David Berkowitz's troubled history and mindset, drawing from rare audio interviews recorded in 1980 at Attica Correctional Facility by reporter Jack Jones. In addition to these recordings, the three-part series features interviews with detectives, journalists, and survivors, offering fresh perspectives on the investigation and exploring the lasting effects of Berkowitz's crimes on the community.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
New on Netflix This Week (May 26–31): From Dept. Q to Mad Unicorn, 9 fresh binge bombs you'll regret sleeping on
New on Netflix This Week (May 26–31): Brace yourselves, couch potatoes and streaming savants. Netflix just restocked the shelves of your emotional refrigerator and the menu? Juicy, mysterious, hilarious, deadly, and oh-so bingeable. This week's lineup is hotter than your ex's Instagram after a breakup. Here's everything dropping from May 26 to 31 that you'll want to cancel plans for. Ready, set, obsess. 1. Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders (May 26) Plot twist: The pill that gave you headache relief in the '80s? Yeah, it gave Chicago a massive case of trust issues. At least seven people died after taking cyanide-laced Tylenol, and the world hasn't looked at a medicine cabinet the same way since. From the creators behind Conversations with a Killer and Shadow of Truth, this deep dive questions whether the real killer was ever found… or whether a sinister cover-up is hiding in plain sight. 2. Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life (May 26) Ah, Mike's back, and this time, he's unpacking the chaotic joys of marriage and parenting. Why do kids' birthday parties require a survival kit now?! Equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and sneakily heartfelt, Birbiglia drops truth bombs with perfect timing and just the right dash of dad energy. 3. F1: The Academy (May 28) Move over, boys. The grid's about to get a makeover. Fifteen fierce, focused women are taking the wheel and proving they belong in the high-octane, testosterone-flooded world of Formula 1. Expect fast cars, faster comebacks, and a whole lot of feminist fire. 4. Losmen Bu Broto: The Series (May 29) Tarjo's tired of being invisible in his own family's inn. Cue: ambition, betrayal, and a forbidden romance with a married guest (we see you, plot twist). Set in Yogyakarta, this series is dripping in cultural charm and messy family drama. Watch it when you're craving something slow-burning and full of secrets. 5. Dept. Q (May 29) DCI Carl Morck is your classic tortured genius: brilliant, bitter, and basically exiled to a basement after a botched operation. But when a long-dead cold case suddenly warms up, Carl assembles a ragtag team to take down corruption from the shadows. Think Sherlock meets Luther with less tea and more trauma. 6. Mad Unicorn (May 29) Cue your next entrepreneurial obsession. When one underdog launches a courier startup, the success isn't just surprising but rather threatening. Enemies multiply. Tensions rise. And somewhere between ambition and survival, lines get crossed. 7. A Widow's Game (May 30) Valencia, 2017. A man is found stabbed seven times in a parking lot. It screams passion crime, but what doesn't scream is his young, sweet widow Maje being the prime suspect. But darling, looks deceive. This one's a layered slow-burn thriller that'll keep you shouting 'WHAT?!' every ten minutes. 8. The Heart Knows (May 30) Warning: You may cry. Juan receives a heart transplant from a kind man named Pedro. Cue the plot twist - Juan meets Pedro's widow, Valeria, and falls in love without telling her the whole heart connection thing. Oh, and he's trying to save Pedro's neighbourhood too. 9. Lost in Starlight (May 30) 2050 Seoul: Aspiring astronaut Nan-young is grounded. Musician Jay is stuck in nostalgia. They meet, they fall, they dream of space and each other. But when she finally gets her shot at Mars, love and ambition clash in the most celestial way possible. Watch it when you want love that spans galaxies (and doesn't ghost you halfway to Mars). This week on Netflix, the drama is real, the laughs are loud, and your weekend plans just got booked solid. Pass the snacks and clear your calendar - we've got 9 reasons to never leave your couch.
