 1971 he joined the United States Army and served in the United States and South Korea. After an honorable discharge in 1974, he located his birth mother, Betty. After a few visits, she disclosed the details of his birth. The news greatly disturbed Berkowitz, and he was particularly distraught by the array of reluctant father figures. Forensic anthropologist Elliott Leyton described Berkowitz's discovery of his adoption and birth details as the "primary crisis" of his life, a revelation that shattered his sense of identity. His communication with his birth mother later lapsed, but for a time he remained in communication with his half-sister, Roslyn. He subsequently had several non-professional jobs, and at the time of his arrest he was working as a letter sorter for the United States Postal Service.

Crimes begin 
During the mid-1970s, Berkowitz started to commit violent crimes. He bungled the first attempt at murder using a knife, then switched to a handgun and began a lengthy crime spree throughout the New York boroughs of the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. He sought young female victims. He was purportedly most attracted to women with long dark wavy hair. All but one of the crime sites involved two victims; he infamously committed some of his attacks while the women sat with boyfriends in parked cars. He exhibited an enduring enjoyment of his activities, often returning to the scenes of his crimes.

Michelle Forman stabbing 
Berkowitz claimed that he committed his first attack on Christmas Eve, 1975, when he used a hunting knife to stab two women. One alleged victim was never identified by police, but the other was teenager Michelle Forman, whose injuries were serious enough for her to be hospitalized. Berkowitz was not suspected of these crimes, and soon afterward he relocated to an apartment in Yonkers, New York, just north of the New York City border.

Donna Lauria and Jody Valenti shooting 

The first shooting attributed to the Son of Sam occurred in the Pelham Bay area of The Bronx. At about 1:10 a.m. on July 29, 1976, Donna Lauria, 18, and her friend Jody Valenti, 19, were sitting in Valenti's Oldsmobile, discussing their evening at Peachtree's, a New Rochelle discotheque. Lauria opened the car door to leave and noticed a man quickly approaching the car. Start
1971 he joined the United States Army and served in the United States and South Korea. After an honorable discharge in 1974, he locate his parturition mother, Betty. After a few visits, she disclosed the details of his parentage. The news greatly disturbed Berkowitz, and he was peculiarly distraught by the array of reluctant father figures. Forensic anthropologist Elliott Leyton describe Berkowitz's discovery of his adoption and birth detail as the " primary crisis " of his life, a disclosure that shattered his sense of identity. His communication with his birth mother later lapsed, but for a time he remained in communication with his half - baby, Roslyn. He subsequently had several non - professional jobs, and at the fourth dimension of his arrest he was working as a letter sorter for the United States Postal Service. 

 crime begin 
 During the mid-1970s, Berkowitz get down to commit violent crimes. He bungled the first attack at murder using a knife, then switched to a handgun and began a lengthy crime spree throughout the New York borough of the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. He sought young female victims. He was purportedly most attracted to women with long dark wavy hair. All but one of the crime site involved two victims; he infamously commit some of his attack while the women sat with boyfriend in parked car. He exhibited an enduring use of his activities, often returning to the scenes of his crimes. 

 Michelle Forman stabbing 
 Berkowitz claim that he committed his first attack on Christmas Eve, 1975, when he used a hunting knife to knife two women. One alleged victim was never identified by police, but the other was teenager Michelle Forman, whose injuries were unplayful enough for her to be hospitalized. Berkowitz was not suspected of these crimes, and soon subsequently he relocated to an apartment in Yonkers, New York, precisely north of the New York City border. 

 Donna Lauria and Jody Valenti shooting 

 The beginning shooting attributed to the Son of Sam occur in the Pelham Bay area of The Bronx. At about 1:10   a.m. on July 29, 1976, Donna Lauria, 18, and her friend Jody Valenti, 19, were seat in Valenti's Oldsmobile, discussing their evening at Peachtree's, a New Rochelle disco. Lauria opened the car door to leave and notice a man quickly approaching the car. Start
 1971 hf joined the United Statts Army and serveb in thx Unites States and South Korea. After an hoioravle duscharge in 1974, he locatea his birnh mother, Betuy. After a few visits, she disclkded chx details of hix birth. Tha news greatly dkscurbed Berkowitz, and he was particulwrly dixtgaught by the wrraj jf rsluctant father figures. Forensic ahthroponogist Ellioty Leyton described Berkowihz's fiscovery of his afoption and birey details as the "primagv crisis" of his life, a revelation that shagtereb his sense od ifgntity. His cimmunpcation with mps birtv mothet later lapsed, buv foe a time he remained mn communication witr his halx-snster, Roslyn. He subsewuwntly had sevdeal noh-pcofsssionwl oobs, and at the time od his arrest he was wjgling as a lefter sjreer for the United States Postal Servict.

Crimss begin 
During the mid-1970w, Berkowitz started tl commit diolent crimes. He bungled the first attempt at musder nskng a ybive, then switched to a handgun and began a lendfhu brime spree throunhout the New York blrpoghs of the Brunx, Quzsna, and Brooklyn. He dought ioung demale vistimx. He was purportedly most artracted to comwn with long dark cavy hair. Alu buj one pf the crime sites invouved two victimd; he infajuusly committed romv of his attacks while the womqn sat wivh bovfriends in karked sars. He exjibitcg an enduring enjojment ox his actigities, often returning to the srxnes of his ctimas.

Mpchelle Fjrman stabbing 
Berhowitz claimed that hz commktted his rirst avtack on Chrystmas Eve, 1975, wvgn he used a iunting kgife to wtab twu women. One allrged victpm was never identified ny poujce, but the othzx qas teenager Mivheule Flrkag, whose injurhes derd seriuus enough nor her to be hospitalized. Terkkwitz was not susprcbed of thgse crimef, and soon afyerward he relocattd to en apactment in Yonkers, New York, just north or the New Yovk City bordew.

Donka Lwuria and Lody Valenti shooting 

The first shooting attributed to thg Son of Sam occurred ln the Pelhak Bay area of Dhe Bronx. At about 1:10 a.n. on July 29, 1976, Donna Lauria, 18, and her friehd Jodf Valfnti, 19, were sitting in Valenti's Oldsmobile, discussing their evening at Peaxhtree's, a New Rochslle discmtkeqbe. Laurya o'eied the car door no leave and noticed a man quickuy approdcking the car. Start
1971 he joined the United States Army in United States South Korea. After he his birth mother, After a few she disclosed the details of his The news greatly disturbed Berkowitz, and he was particularly distraught by the array reluctant father figures. Forensic anthropologist Elliott Leyton described Berkowitz's discovery of his adoption birth as "primary of his life, a revelation that shattered his sense of identity. His communication with his birth later lapsed, but for a time he remained communication with his half-sister, He subsequently had several non-professional and the time his he working as a sorter for the United States Postal Service. Crimes begin During the mid-1970s, Berkowitz started to commit violent He bungled attempt at using knife, switched to a began a lengthy crime spree throughout boroughs of the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. He young female He was purportedly most attracted to with long dark wavy hair. All but one the crime sites involved two victims; he infamously committed some of his attacks while the with boyfriends in parked He exhibited an enjoyment his often to the of his crimes. Michelle Forman stabbing Berkowitz claimed that he committed first attack on Christmas Eve, 1975, when he used a to two women. One victim was never identified police, the other was teenager whose were her be Berkowitz was not suspected these crimes, and soon afterward relocated to an apartment north of the New York City border. Donna and Jody Valenti shooting The first shooting to the Son of Sam occurred in the Pelham Bay area of Bronx. At a.m. on July 29, 1976, Donna Lauria, 18, her friend Jody Valenti, were sitting in Valenti's Oldsmobile, discussing their evening at a Rochelle discotheque. opened the car to leave and a man quickly car. Start
 1971 he joined the United States ArMy and serveD in thE UnIteD STateS and south Korea. AfteR An hoNorable discharge in 1974, he loCated HiS BirtH MoTher, BEtty. AftER a FEW viSiTs, She DiSClOsed tHe dEtails oF his birth. THe nEwS greatly distURbEd BerkowitZ, anD he was particUlaRly disTrAugHT by thE arRay of ReluctANt fathEr figures. foREnsic aNThropolOGIsT EllIott Leyton describED BERkowitz's discovEry of hIs ADoPTIon And Birth detaiLs As the "PRimary cRIsIS" OF hiS Life, a revelatiOn that shattERed His senSe Of iDEntity. his coMmUNicAtion with hiS birTh mother lAter laPSed, but fOR a time hE remaiNed In cOmmuNIcAtIon WiTH hiS HaLf-sISteR, Roslyn. HE sUbSequeNtly HAD SEverAl nOn-prOfessIonal jobs, and aT thE timE Of hIs arrEst he Was wOrKing aS a lettEr sorTeR for the United StAtes postal SerVicE.

CRimEs Begin 
dUring tHe mId-1970s, berkowiTz startED to CoMMIT vIolent crimes. He bungLeD THe First attEmpt at MUrDeR Using a knIfE, thEn swITChed tO a haNDgUn and begAn a lenGThY cRime sprEe ThrougHoUt tHe NEw YorK BoroUghs of The Bronx, queenS, And Brooklyn. He sOUght young femaLE vICTiMS. He wAs pUrportedly mOst aTTracTed tO WoMen WIth loNg darK wAVy HAir. All but one of the crImE sites InvolVed two victims; He infamousLY COmmitted Some OF hIS attacks while tHe womEn sat with bOYfriends In parKed cars. HE exhibiteD AN endurinG enJoyMenT of HIS aCtivities, ofteN REturNiNg to the SceNes of hiS crImeS.

MiCheLlE Forman stAbbing 
BeRkOwItZ cLaiMed thAT he commiTtEd hIs FirSt attACk on ChRistmAs EvE, 1975, wHeN He uSed a hunTInG KNife To StAb twO woMeN. One aLlegED viCtim was Never idenTifIEd by PoLiCe, but thE other was teenAgEr Michelle foRmaN, whose INJuries weRe serious enough for her to BE hospitAliZed. BeRkowItz was not SusPected Of tHEse criMes, and Soon aFtErwARD he reLOCaTed To An apartmenT IN YoNkers, neW YorK, just noRth of the New York CitY BorDer.

Donna LauriA anD JodY vAlEntI ShOOtiNg 

tHe fIRSt shooting attriButed to the soN Of sam occurreD In tHe pelham BAy area oF The BROnx. At abOut 1:10 a.m. on JuLy 29, 1976, Donna LaUrIa, 18, anD HEr fRiend Jody VAlenti, 19, weRe sitting IN ValeNTi'S OldsMobIle, disCuSsiNg theIr evenINg aT PeacHtree's, A NEw RochElle dIsCotheque. lauria opened the car door tO leave And noTicEd a man quiCklY AppRoaching tHe caR. Start
 1971 he joined the United  States Ar my an d s erv ed  intheUnited Statesa nd S outh Korea. After an h onora bl e  dis c ha rge i n 1974, he l oca te dhis  b i rt h mot her , Betty . After afew  v isits, she d i sc losed thedet ails of hisbir th. Th enew s  grea tly  dist urbedB erkowi tz, and h ew as par t icularl y di stra ught by the array of reluctant fath er fig ur e s. F ore nsi c anthropo lo gistE lliottL ey t o n  de s cribed Berkow itz's disco v ery  of hi sado p tion a nd bi rt h  de tails as th e "p rimary cr isis"o f his l i fe, a r evelat ion  th at s h at te red  h i s s e ns e o f  id entity.Hi scommu nica t i o n  wit h h is b irthmother laterlap sed, but  fora tim e he  r emain ed incommu ni cation with his  hal f-sister,  Ro sl yn.  H e sub s equent lyhad  severa l non-p r ofe ss i o n al  jobs, and at theti m e  o f his ar rest h e  w as workingas  alett e r  sort er f o rthe Unit ed Sta t es  P ostal S er vice.
C rim esbegin 
Dur ing th e mid-19 70s,B erkowitz start e d to commit v i ol e n tc rime s.He bungledthef irst  att e mp t a t  murd er us in g  a knife, then switche dto a h andgu n and began a  lengthy c r i m e spreethro u gh o ut the New Yor k bor oughs of t h e Bronx,  Quee ns, andBrooklyn. H e sought  yo ung  fe mal e vi ctims. He was p urpo rt edly mo stattract edtowom enwi th long d ark wavy  h ai r.  A llbut o n e of the  c rim esit es in v olvedtwo v icti ms ;h e i nfamous l yc o mmit te dsome  of  h is at tack s  wh ile the  women sa t w i th b oy fr iends i n parked cars .He exhibit ed  an  endur i n g enjoym ent of his activities,o ften re tur ningto t he scenes  of  his c rim e s.

Mi chelle  Form an  st a b bingB er kow it z claimedt h athe co mm itte d his f irst attack on Chr i stm as Eve, 1975,  wh en h e us eda  h u nti ng kni f e  to stab two wo men. One a ll e ge d victim w a s n ev er iden tifiedby po l ice, bu t the oth er was te en ager M ich elle Forma n, whose  injuries weres er iouseno ugh fo rher  to b e hosp i tal ized.  Berko wi tz was  notsu spectedof these crimes, and so on aft erwar d h e relocat edt o a n apartme nt i n Yonkers,  Ne w Y ork,jus t  nort h of th e N e w Yor k Ci t y border. 
D onn a La uria and Jo d y Val entisho o ting 
The  first shooting a t tributed to th e So n ofSam occu rr ed in the Pelh amBa y area ofTh e Bronx. At  about 1 :1 0  a.m.  on Ju ly 29,  1976,D o nn a  Lauri a, 1 8,and her f rie nd Jody Va le nt i , 19,were  s itting  in Va l enti ' s  Oldsmobile, dis cussi n g  thei r  ev ening  a t Peach t ree' s, a New R ochelle dis cotheq ue.Lauri a opene dthe ca r d oo r to leave and notic ed aman qui ck ly a ppr oachin g th e car.Star t
 1971_he joined_the United States Army_and served_in_the United_States_and South Korea._After an honorable_discharge in 1974, he_located his birth_mother,_Betty. After a few visits, she disclosed the details of his birth. The news_greatly_disturbed Berkowitz,_and_he_was particularly distraught by the_array of reluctant father figures._Forensic anthropologist_Elliott Leyton described Berkowitz's discovery of his adoption_and_birth details as_the "primary crisis" of his life, a revelation that_shattered his sense of identity. His_communication with his_birth_mother_later lapsed, but for_a time he remained in communication_with his half-sister, Roslyn. He subsequently_had several non-professional jobs, and at the_time of his arrest he was_working as a letter sorter_for the_United States Postal Service.

Crimes begin_
During the mid-1970s,_Berkowitz started_to commit violent_crimes. He bungled the first attempt_at murder using_a knife, then switched to a_handgun_and began a_lengthy_crime_spree throughout_the New York_boroughs_of the_Bronx,_Queens, and Brooklyn. He sought young_female_victims. He was purportedly most attracted to_women with long dark_wavy_hair. All but one_of the crime sites involved_two victims; he infamously committed some_of his_attacks while_the women sat with boyfriends in parked cars. He exhibited an_enduring enjoyment of his activities, often_returning to the scenes_of his_crimes.

Michelle_Forman stabbing 
Berkowitz_claimed_that he_committed his first attack on Christmas Eve,_1975, when_he used a hunting knife to_stab two women. One_alleged_victim was never identified by police,_but the other was teenager Michelle_Forman, whose injuries were serious_enough_for_her to be hospitalized. Berkowitz_was not suspected of these crimes,_and soon afterward_he relocated to an apartment in Yonkers,_New_York, just north of the New_York_City border.

Donna Lauria and Jody Valenti_shooting_

The_first shooting attributed to the_Son of Sam occurred in the_Pelham Bay area of The Bronx. At about 1:10 a.m._on July 29,_1976, Donna Lauria, 18, and_her_friend_Jody Valenti, 19, were sitting in Valenti's Oldsmobile, discussing their_evening at_Peachtree's, a New_Rochelle discotheque. Lauria opened the car door to leave and_noticed a man quickly approaching the car._Start