Unmasking Evil: Face-to-Face with the Son of Sam

Unmasking Evil: Face-to-Face with the Son of Sam

Author: Robert Riggs January 23, 2024 Duration: 30:07

David Berkowitz, known as the “Son of Sam,” terrorized New York City for a year in the late 1970s with a series of random murders and cryptic taunts to police and the press.

Ever since then, the question of why he did it and if Berkowitz had accomplices from a Satan-worshipping cult has produced ceaseless speculation. 

Now, Dr. Michael Caparrelli provides new insights into the mind of David Berkowitz in a new book titled Monster Mirror. Dr. Caparrelli is a behavioral scientist and was a pastor for 16 years.

Drawing from 100 hours of face-to-face interviews, Dr. Caparrelli explores Berkowitz’s transformation from an infamous serial killer to a figure of introspection.

My interview with Dr. Caparrelli sheds light on the complex psychological factors and experiences that shaped Berkowitz’s path to violence. 

It also examines his claims of religious conversion in prison and features a new confession.

FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast 

SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter

THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps.

TELL ME about a STORY OR SUBJECT  that you want to hear more about


Robert Riggs has spent decades as an investigative reporter, and in True Crime Reporter, he applies that relentless, document-driven approach to the stories that haunt us. This isn't just a retelling of grim headlines; it's a meticulous walk through active case files, historical injustices, and the societal undercurrents that allow crime to flourish. Each episode feels like you're sitting across from Riggs as he lays out his notes, connecting dots between evidence, witness accounts, and the often-overlooked details that change a narrative. You'll hear the tension in the pursuit of truth, the weight of unresolved questions, and the quiet impact on communities and families left in the wake of violence. The podcast moves beyond the sensational to examine the cultural and systemic factors at play, offering a sober, deeply researched perspective. Listen for long-form narratives that build like a detective's board, where every piece of audio, every interview, and every document serves a purpose. It’s for those who want to understand the 'why' and the 'how' as much as the 'who,' presented with the clarity and authority of a seasoned journalist who knows the terrain. This is a journey into real stories, handled with the care they demand, and it naturally becomes an essential listen for anyone fascinated by the intersection of human behavior, justice, and the news.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

True Crime Reporter
Podcast Episodes
Brotherhood of Brutality Unchecked Fraternity Hazing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:19
By Robert Riggs Burned with lit cigarettes. Impaled with a fishhook. Staples fired into his hip. Deadly drugs forced up his nose. It sounds like a brutal regime’s methods from a torture chamber. But these are the homegro…
JigSaw & Jane 13 Years of Murder & Mayhem with Badge Number One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:23
By Robert Riggs LAPD Homicide Detective John St. John aka “JigSaw John” Badge #1 Legendary LAPD Homicide Detective John St. John walked among the dead for nearly a half-century. Known as “JigSaw John,” he pursued monster…
Don’t Make It Easy for a Violent Predator to Choose You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:41
Most predators don’t pounce—they pick. They observe. They wait. And they choose the person who looks the easiest to catch. In this episode, you’ll learn how to make sure you’re not the one they choose. From FBI profilers…
Women Who Talk To The Dead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:34
The Story of 200 Forgotten Murder Victims By Robert Riggs They were daughters. Mothers. Sisters. Strangers. Their lives ended violently—and their names were lost to time. For more than half a century, Detroit’s forgotten…
Widow Offers One Million Dollars To Crack Cold Case Murder Mystery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:32
Unsolved Murder of Jim Grimes Haunts Quiet Tennessee Town By Robert Riggs A bold reward offers ONE MILLION DOLLARS to solve a cold case murder mystery. Since the $25 million bounty on Osama bin Laden, few rewards have re…
The Rock: Alcatraz’s Chilling True Crime Legacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:49
Alcatraz shut its cell doors more than 60 years ago, but its grip on the American imagination hasn’t loosened. Each year, nearly a million and a half tourists ride the ferry across San Francisco Bay, through cold, choppy…
The Click That Opens The Door To Cyber Hell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:46
You Just Thought Your Home Was Safe By Robert Riggs You lock your doors at night. You check on your kids. But what if the real threat is already inside—hiding in your phone, your smart TV, or your child’s video game chat…
Why Do Women Love True Crime? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:34
A Former 48 Hours Producer Reveals the Psychology and Power Behind the Genre By Robert Riggs When the curtain drops on everyday life, true crime shows like this podcast and especially those on television expose the darke…