Robert Durst

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Robert Durst

Robert Alan Durst (April 12, 1943 – January 10, 2022) was an American real estate heir and convicted murderer. He was the son of New York City real estate magnate Seymour Durst and the elder brother of Douglas Durst, head of the Durst Organization. Durst gained notoriety for his alleged involvement in the disappearance of his first wife, Kathleen McCormack Durst, the murder of his longtime friend Susan Berman, and the killing of his neighbor Morris Black.

Early Life

Robert Durst was born on April 12, 1943, in New York City, to Seymour Durst and Bernice Herstein. He was the eldest of four children. Durst attended Scarsdale High School and later enrolled at Lehigh University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1965. He then attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but did not complete his studies.

Disappearance of Kathleen McCormack Durst

In 1973, Durst married Kathleen McCormack, a medical student. On January 31, 1982, Kathleen disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Her body was never found, and she was declared legally dead in 2017. Durst was suspected of being involved in her disappearance but was never charged at the time.

Murder of Susan Berman

Susan Berman, a close friend of Durst, was found murdered in her home in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles, on December 23, 2000. Berman was believed to have knowledge about Kathleen's disappearance. In 2015, Durst was arrested and charged with Berman's murder after incriminating evidence was found during the filming of the HBO documentary series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst.

Killing of Morris Black

In 2001, Durst was arrested in Galveston, Texas, for the murder of his neighbor, Morris Black. Durst admitted to dismembering Black's body but claimed self-defense. He was acquitted of murder charges in 2003 but was convicted of evidence tampering and bail jumping.

Legal Issues and Conviction

Durst faced numerous legal battles throughout his life. In 2021, he was convicted of the first-degree murder of Susan Berman and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Durst died on January 10, 2022, while serving his sentence.

In Popular Culture

Durst's life and alleged crimes have been the subject of various media portrayals, including the HBO documentary series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst and the film All Good Things, in which he was portrayed by actor Ryan Gosling.

See Also

• Durst Organization
• The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
• All Good Things