Robert Durst, the subject of HBO’s gripping 2015 docuseries “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,” found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. What began as a profile on a man accused of multiple murders took an unexpected turn when Durst made a shocking confession on camera, ultimately leading to his arrest and subsequent murder conviction.
Hailing from a wealthy New York City real estate dynasty, Durst’s life took a dark turn when his wife, Kathleen McCormack Durst, vanished in 1982. Despite being the prime suspect in her disappearance, Durst managed to evade justice for decades, with his friend Susan Berman serving as his unofficial spokesperson during the investigation.
However, tragedy struck again 18 years later when Berman herself was found dead in her Los Angeles home, shot execution-style. While Durst was suspected in her murder, it wasn’t until the airing of “The Jinx” that he was finally held accountable.
In a groundbreaking moment for true crime documentaries, Durst made a chilling confession on camera, sealing his fate. He was subsequently convicted for Berman’s murder and sentenced to life in prison.
But the saga didn’t end there. Now, with the premiere of “The Jinx Part 2” on April 21, viewers will delve deeper into Durst’s trial and ultimate conviction. The series promises to unravel the full extent of Durst’s crimes and the shocking events that led to his downfall.
Durst’s life was marked by tragedy and suspicion from an early age. At just 7 years old, he claimed to have witnessed his mother’s fatal fall from the roof of their childhood home, a traumatic event that would shape his future.
After graduating from Lehigh University in the 1960s, Durst pursued further education at UCLA, where he crossed paths with Susan Berman. Their connection would prove to be fateful, as Durst’s life spiraled into a web of deceit and violence.
Despite his family’s real estate fortune, Durst’s personal life was marred by turmoil. After being passed over for leadership of the family business in favor of his younger brother, Durst’s life took a nomadic turn, with stints in California and Texas.
Throughout the years, Durst was linked to the deaths of three individuals, including his wife Kathleen and close friend Susan Berman. Despite his attempts to evade justice, Durst’s confession in “The Jinx” ultimately brought him to account for his crimes.
As viewers await the release of “The Jinx Part 2,” anticipation is high for the revelations that lie ahead. With new interviews, prison calls, and testimony from key witnesses, the series promises to shed further light on the dark and twisted saga of Robert Durst.
In the end, Durst’s life ended in a state prison hospital facility in Stockton, California, on January 10, 2022, bringing a conclusion to one of the most captivating true crime stories of our time. Yet, the mystery and intrigue surrounding his crimes continue to linger, as investigators seek to uncover the full extent of his wrongdoing and bring closure to his victims’ families.