How a simple parking ticket ended one of New York City's largest manhunts

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the mid-1970s, David Berkowitz terrorized New York City, killing six people and sparking a massive police investigation. While he initially claimed his crimes were driven by demonic commands from a neighbor's dog, the truth behind his capture was far more mundane: a single parking ticket left near a crime scene.

Born in Brooklyn in 1953, David Berkowitz experienced a turbulent upbringing marked by the death of his adoptive mother in 1967 and his father's subsequent remarriage and relocation. After serving in the U.S. Army, where he became a skilled marksman, Berkowitz returned to civilian life in 1974. By his own account, he spent the mid-1970s setting approximately 1,500 fires across New York City, a precursor to the violent spree that would soon follow.

The killing spree began in earnest in July 1976, following an unsuccessful stabbing attempt in December 1975. Over the next year, Berkowitz targeted couples in parked cars, claiming six lives in total. During this period, he sent taunting letters to local newspapers, signing them 'Son of Sam.' He claimed these acts were directed by a demon residing in his neighbor Sam Carr's black Labrador retriever. This narrative fueled public panic and media frenzy, though Berkowitz later admitted the entire story was a fabrication.

The investigation concluded on August 10, 1977, just 11 days after his final murder. Police identified Berkowitz as the primary suspect after discovering a parking ticket issued to his car near one of the shooting locations. Following his arrest, he confessed to the crimes and pleaded guilty on May 8, 1978. In June of that year, he was sentenced to 365 years in prison. Although he became eligible for parole in 2002, his requests for release have been repeatedly denied.

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