Shivangi Sinha
The Son of Sam killer instilled widespread fear and panic across several neighborhoods in New York City between 1975 and 1977. His modus operandi typically involved approaching couples sitting in parked cars late at night and shooting them with a .44 caliber revolver. He often targeted women with long, dark hair and struck without warning, leaving the city gripped in terror. Rosemary Keenan was one of the rare individuals to survive an attack and escape without serious injury. Her story is featured in Netflix’s ‘Conversations With a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes,’ where Carl Denaro, who was with her the night of the assault, recounted the terrifying events that unfolded.
Rosemary Keenan Was Studying in College When She Was Attacked
Rosemary Keenan was enjoying a good life in New York City. Her father had served with the NYPD for many years, and she was surrounded by the love and support of her family. At 21, she was a student at Queens College in Queens, New York, and lived a life typical of many young people her age. On the night of October 23, 1976, she was out at a bar with friends when she met Carl Denaro, who was also there with his own group. The two hit it off and spent the evening talking and enjoying each other’s company. As the night wound down, they decided to leave together and find some quiet time alone in a parked car nearby.
Carl later recalled that both he and Rosemary had been drinking and smoking while sitting in the car, with him in the passenger seat. Suddenly, someone approached the vehicle and fired shots through the passenger-side window. Denaro was struck in the head and sustained a serious injury, while Rosemary escaped with only minor cuts and scratches from the shattered glass. Acting quickly, she drove back to the bar they had come from, where Denaro’s friends rushed him to the hospital. Rosemary received immediate medical attention but soon withdrew from the public eye.
Rosemary Keenan Has Remained Silent in the Public Sphere
Because Rosemary Keenan’s father had served in the New York Police Department for many years, her case was given special attention and thoroughly investigated. However, despite the efforts, very few concrete leads emerged. Since the night of the attack, Rosemary has chosen to remain out of the public eye. She has never spoken publicly about the incident, not even when David Berkowitz was arrested, identified, and later convicted as the Son of Sam killer. Carl Denaro, however, has continued to speak about the attack over the years. He has expressed doubts that Berkowitz was the one who shot them that night. He believes someone else may have been responsible, pointing to inconsistencies and possible connections to a larger group. Still, no evidence has ever surfaced to confirm his theory, and Rosemary has never publicly addressed the speculation.
Read More: Jody Valenti: Where is the Son of Sam Survivor Now?
