{"id":32561,"date":"2026-08-03T07:25:54","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T11:25:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=32561"},"modified":"2026-08-03T07:25:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T11:25:54","slug":"son-of-sam-killer-says-hes-looking-forward-to-heaven-declines-parole-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2026\/08\/son-of-sam-killer-says-hes-looking-forward-to-heaven-declines-parole-hearing","title":{"rendered":"‘Son of Sam’ Killer Says He’s ‘Looking Forward to Heaven,’ Declines Parole Hearing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nearly 50 years after the infamous “Son of Sam” murders terrorized New York City, convicted serial killer David Berkowitz says he is no longer seeking freedom from prison, insisting that the only place he hopes to go is “heaven to be with the Lord.”<\/p>\n

Berkowitz, who is serving multiple life sentences for killing six people and wounding seven others during his 1976\u201377 shooting spree, skipped his most recent parole hearing in May. In a letter to the New York Post<\/em>, he explained why.<\/p>\n

“The only place I’m looking forward to going is to heaven to be with the Lord,” he wrote.<\/p>\n

The statement reflects a dramatic shift from the man who once taunted police and the media with chilling letters signed “Son of Sam.” Today, Berkowitz identifies as a born-again Christian, refers to himself as the “Son of Hope,” and signs many of his letters “Brother David.”<\/p>\n

His reported conversion to Christianity came decades ago while in prison, where he has spent years writing about his faith, creating Gospel tracts and participating in prison ministry. His website features hundreds of writings, videos and testimonies centered on his Christian beliefs.<\/p>\n

In a recent letter shared through podcaster and former prison pastor Keith Rovere, Berkowitz also expressed deep distrust of the media, saying he declined interview requests because he believes reporters misrepresent his words.<\/p>\n

“I don’t trust the media,” Berkowitz wrote. “They will twist and distort whatever I say.”<\/p>\n

He also criticized recent reporting surrounding proposed changes to New York’s parole laws, claiming inaccurate coverage caused unnecessary pain for victims’ families.<\/p>\n

Not everyone is persuaded by Berkowitz’s profession of faith.<\/p>\n

Robert Violante, who survived a 1977 attack that claimed the life of his girlfriend, Stacy Moskowitz, questioned Berkowitz’s statement about heaven.<\/p>\n

“I sincerely doubt he is going to heaven,” Violante told the New York Post<\/em>. “He is lucky he is not already in hell.”<\/p>\n

Berkowitz’s crimes began on July 29, 1976, with the murder of 18-year-old Donna Lauria in the Bronx and sparked a year of fear across New York City before his arrest in August 1977.<\/p>\n

Keith Rovere, who has corresponded with Berkowitz for years, believes the convicted killer’s transformation is genuine.<\/p>\n

“He’s one of the few serial killers that I know that I believe has completely changed his ways,” Rovere said.<\/p>\n

While only God knows the condition of a person’s heart, Berkowitz’s story continues to spark difficult conversations about repentance, redemption and the reach of God’s grace. Scripture teaches that no sin is beyond Christ’s power to forgive for those who genuinely repent and place their faith in Him, while also affirming that forgiveness does not erase the earthly consequences of even the darkest crimes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Nearly 50 years after the infamous “Son of Sam” murders terrorized New York City, convicted serial killer David Berkowitz says he is no longer seeking freedom from prison, insisting that the only place he hopes to go is “heaven to be with the Lord.” Berkowitz, who is serving multiple life sentences for killing six people…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":32563,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32561","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n'Son of Sam' Killer Says He's 'Looking Forward to Heaven,' Declines Parole Hearing<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"David Berkowitz says he's no longer seeking parole, claiming he wants only to go to "heaven to be with the Lord."\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, 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