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Robert Durst

Robert Alan Durst was an American real estate heir who became known for his long association with several high-profile criminal cases.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Robert Alan Durst was an American real estate heir who became known for his long association with several high-profile criminal cases. He was convicted in 2021 of murdering his friend Susan Berman and died in prison in 2022 before a separate murder trial over the disappearance of his first wife could begin.

Early life and family background

Durst was born in New York City in 1943 into the wealthy Durst real estate family. He was the eldest son of Seymour Durst, head of a major New York property business.

Criminal investigations and trials

Durst was linked over several decades to three major cases: the disappearance of Kathleen McCormack Durst, the 2000 killing of Susan Berman, and the 2001 death of Morris Black. He was acquitted in the Black case, later convicted of murdering Berman, and charged separately in the McCormack case.

Conviction in the Susan Berman case

Durst was arrested in 2015 after renewed attention from the documentary series The Jinx. A California jury convicted him in 2021 of first-degree murder in Berman’s death, and he received a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.

Durst died in January 2022 while incarcerated in California. His death ended the possibility of a trial in the McCormack case.

Key facts

  • Durst was the eldest son of New York real estate magnate Seymour Durst.
  • He became linked to the 1982 disappearance of his first wife, Kathleen McCormack Durst.
  • He was convicted in 2021 of murdering Susan Berman and sentenced to life without parole.
  • He had previously been tried in Texas over the death of neighbor Morris Black and was acquitted of murder.
  • He died while incarcerated in California in January 2022.
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Canadian context

Durst had no major direct Canadian connection; his relevance in Canada is primarily through international true-crime coverage and documentary interest.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert Durst?
He was an American real estate heir who became widely known for his involvement in several homicide investigations and for his 2021 murder conviction.
What was Robert Durst convicted of?
He was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2000 killing of Susan Berman and sentenced to life without parole.
Was Robert Durst charged in the disappearance of his wife?
Yes. He was charged in connection with Kathleen McCormack Durst’s disappearance shortly before his death, but the case did not go to trial.
Did Robert Durst face other murder allegations?
He was also linked to the 2001 death of Morris Black in Texas. He was acquitted of murder in that case, though he was convicted on a related charge involving dismemberment and disposal of the body.
When did Robert Durst die?
He died on January 10, 2022, while incarcerated in California.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Durst
    Supports: Basic biography, conviction, and death date
  2. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/10/obituaries/robert-durst-dead.html
    Supports: Death, family background, and overview of the linked homicide cases
  3. NPR — https://www.npr.org/2022/01/10/1071863707/robert-durst-real-estate-heir-dies-in-prison-at-78
    Supports: Death in prison and Susan Berman conviction details
  4. A&E — https://www.aetv.com/articles/robert-durst
    Supports: Timeline of cases, conviction, and sentencing
  5. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31904590
    Supports: Arrest context and mention of the documentary connection