The story of Robert Durst is one of those rare tales where reality outstrips fiction. It’s a story filled with wealthy families, mysterious disappearances, and chilling murders that spanned decades. Durst, a man born into privilege as a member of the powerful Durst family, became one of the most infamous figures in recent true crime history.
His connection to a series of unsolved crimes and strange occurrences has fascinated the public for years, culminating in a dramatic legal battle that has spanned decades. At the center of this saga are the mysterious disappearance of Kathleen McCormack, the brutal murder of Susan Berman, and the shocking death of Morris Black.
Robert Durst’s life was marked by tragedy early on. As a child, he reportedly witnessed his mother’s suicide, an event that would undoubtedly affect anyone’s mental health. Despite being born into one of New York’s most powerful real estate dynasties, Durst’s life was far from ordinary. His public image was that of a wealthy, yet eccentric man, but beneath the surface, there was something far darker. The first major event that thrust him into the public eye was the disappearance of his first wife, Kathleen McCormack, in 1982.
Kathleen McCormack’s disappearance is the cornerstone of the entire Durst saga. She was last seen on January 31, 1982, and despite numerous searches and investigations, her body was never found. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are murky, with Robert Durst being the last person to see her alive. He claimed she simply vanished after leaving their home, but many suspect foul play. The investigation into her disappearance was fraught with problems, and no charges were initially filed against Durst. For years, the case went cold, leaving Kathleen’s family without answers and casting a long shadow over Robert Durst’s public image.
Nearly two decades later, another chilling chapter in the story unfolded. In December 2000, Susan Berman, a close friend of Durst and a writer, was found murdered execution-style in her Los Angeles home. Berman was reportedly working on a project about the mob, but her ties to Durst raised eyebrows. She was known to be fiercely loyal to him and had acted as his spokesperson during the early days of Kathleen McCormack’s disappearance. The timing of her murder was suspicious, as it occurred just before she was scheduled to be interviewed by investigators about Kathleen’s case. This led many to speculate that Durst might have had a motive to silence her, fearing she knew too much. The Susan Berman murder brought new attention to Durst, and it was clear that wherever he went, death seemed to follow.
But the bizarre string of events didn’t stop there. In 2001, Robert Durst was living in Galveston, Texas, disguised as a mute woman to avoid detection. It was here that he became embroiled in another murder case, this time involving his neighbor, Morris Black. Black’s dismembered body was found floating in Galveston Bay, and Durst was quickly arrested. The trial that followed was one for the books. Despite the overwhelming evidence, including Durst’s confession that he had cut up Black’s body, Durst claimed the killing was in self-defense. Shockingly, the jury acquitted him of murder, accepting his claim that the dismemberment was done out of panic. The Morris Black murder case only added to the enigma that was Robert Durst, a man who seemed to walk away from even the most damning situations unscathed.
The turning point in this long and winding saga came with the release of The Jinx, a 2015 documentary series by HBO that chronicled Durst’s life and the various crimes he was suspected of committing. The series was a cultural phenomenon, and it painted a chilling portrait of Durst. In the final episode, Durst, unaware that his microphone was still on, muttered what many interpreted as a confession: “What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course.” This moment became the catalyst for renewed legal action against him, and it played a significant role in his eventual arrest.
Robert Durst’s legal battles resumed in full force following The Jinx. In 2015, he was arrested on charges related to the Susan Berman murder, and this time, the evidence against him was more compelling than ever. His trial was a media circus, with every twist and turn closely followed by the public. The prosecution painted a picture of a man who had spent his life evading justice, using his wealth and connections to cover up his crimes. They argued that Robert Durst had a clear motive for killing Susan Berman, fearing she might implicate him in Kathleen McCormack’s disappearance.
In September 2021, after years of delays and legal maneuvering, Robert Durst was finally sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Susan Berman. This sentencing marked a significant moment in a saga that had spanned nearly 40 years. For the families of Kathleen McCormack and Susan Berman, it was a long-awaited moment of justice, though it could never fully heal the wounds left by these tragedies. The trial also highlighted the complex issues surrounding Durst’s mental health. His defense team often pointed to his eccentric behavior and psychological state as explanations for his actions, but the jury ultimately saw through this, focusing on the pattern of violence and deception that had characterized his life.
Robert Durst’s story is a chilling reminder of how money and power can sometimes distort the course of justice. It’s a tale filled with unanswered questions—Kathleen McCormack’s body has never been found, and the full extent of what Robert Durst may have done will likely never be known. Yet, his arrest, trial, and sentencing show that, in the end, even the most elusive criminals can be brought to justice.
The timeline of Robert Durst’s life is a twisted journey through the darker sides of wealth, power, and mental health. It’s a story that continues to captivate and horrify, with each new revelation adding another layer to the enigma. Whether it’s the eerie confession caught on tape, the grisly details of Morris Black’s death, or the mystery surrounding Susan Berman’s disappearance, Robert Durst will undoubtedly remain a subject of fascination for years to come.
