When David was caught in 1977 and they announced his name on WCBS 880, I mmediately knew who he was. I was in tenth grade in 1967 with two guys with that name and they both were kind of odd. This one was really odd though. He was a loner and in retrospect a very spooky guy. Gives me the chills to think we played on the same gym floor.

He killed a good friend of mine - the first gil killed on Buhre Avenue in Pelham Bay - Donna Lauria - she was 17 years old. I was with her earlier in the night at the Peach Trees Club in New Rochelle. I am still good friends with her parents - on 2/23/06 my 17 year old daughter was killed by her x-boyfriend (house located in Pelham Bay) - they have been supportive and her mom has helped me out with meetings to meet other parents who have lost children.

nicep613:

First let me offer you the deepest of condolences regarding your 17 year old baby. I cannot imagine the pain you felt /feel regarding your loss. I hope the monster who did it never sees the outside of prison walls ever again. I have a 17 year old daughter and she is my baby. I wish you luck in coping with your grief.

I remember Donna Lauria and the night the murder happened. I also remember Peachtrees on Boston Road in New Rochelle. Sounds like you really and literally dodged a bullet that night. When I see Berkowitz on TV these days doing some worthless interview, spouting religious beliefs and his remorse for his victims, it only makes he hate him more. He doesn't deserve to be alive, no less do interviews on TV to express his thoughts. The media does all his victims a huge injustice when he is broadcast on TV. I am sure it only dredges up bad thoughts for the loved nes of those whose lives he cut short or changed forever.


Bob

I was in the Bayside Queens/Bell Blvd area at the same time he hit the kids outside the Elaphas club on Northern Blvd area.

The son of sam gang used the old water gate house on the croton acuaduct as a club house. Its in Van courtland park. When I used to bike ride past the place it was loaded with Satanic symbolys. I never thought much of it when I passed. Thet try to keep it walled up now. Its in an abandend area of the park

quote:

Originally posted by dbob:
The son of sam gang used the old water gate house on the croton acuaduct as a club house. Its in Van courtland park. When I used to bike ride past the place it was loaded with Satanic symbolys. I never thought much of it when I passed. Thet try to keep it walled up now. Its in an abandend area of the park

Oh my, I remember two areas of van Cortland park that were used by satanists. One spot was on the Woodlawn side of the park, the area to the right of Jerome ave if facing north. There was this spot in the wooded area with chains hanging from the trees and satanic writing on the trees. The stones were placed around the area in a deliberate fashion. The place looked evil.

The other area is probably where you described dbob, I'm not 100% sure though. There was this stone building, sort of what you describe, a water maintenance building and it had writings on it and a noose was hanging from it, the building was tall but i didn't see any openings to the building, maybe this wasn't the satanic place you describe, it was more towards the Yonkers part of Van Cortland. But the other satanic place I mentioned above in the Woodlawn section of the park was real and scary.

I never was in the area of the park east of Jerome. This area was close to the Yonkers boarder on the old Croton Acaduct. It did come out this was the place where they had there meetings. A wall was broken down so they could get in.
The whole area of the park was abandoned when the saw mill parkway was built. It was very weird. There were paths and benches and playgrouds; but nobody was there for decades. In the 50's there was a foot bridge that went over the saw mill so you could get there. the bridge was gone by the 60's. The area is hard to get to. I went there about 5 years ago

I remember there were some very isolated and 'difficult to get to" parts of Van Cortland. And we would always run into some strange characters in the wooded areas. Sometimes these guys would follow us around, so we had to run away a lot.

I remember that day! I was walking back home with a friend to Hazel Towers, and my Dad drove up before I saw the crime tape and told me to get in the car. He took my friend home, and then we went back home to the Towers. That is where I learned that Donna got shot. I was friends with her brother, Cricket. It was awful. My friend and I realized that we had seen Berkowitz drive by us twice, and anyone that comes from the Bronx knows that when a car drives by more than once, you watch out. I remember hearing that she was with a friend when it happened outside the building. If it was you, I am happy you are safe and sorry you had to go through all that.

quote:

Hazel

Does anyone have the chronological order of the incidents? I know Berkowitz lived in Yonkers but I don't know the order of events and exact addresses where he did his dumb deeds.

I was recently in Sullivan County and saw the prison where he's in. It's so bucolic it's incredible. I felt like driving in the Entrance but I'm sure right around that sharp turn to the left a prison patrol car awaits.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/notorious/berkowitz/letter_1.html

scott, this is a good site....

It was a sad moment in Bronx History that may one day be fully told. between the real perps and victims that directly and in-directly were involved in this event would in my opinion give you more than just chills.

How this case affected the guilty and the innocent is a story that goes beyond David Berkowitz. There were many unsung heros that worked behind the scenes in this case. There is still portions of this case that is still "Classified" due to it's real content. It is hard even to this day just how deep and personal it went Knowing and Unknowing with all involved.

It is a dark side piece of Bronx history that someday will have it's day.

Al

This message has been edited. Last edited by: A. Edward Moch,

The case was quietly re-opened some time ago. Don't know if it's actively being investigated.