Major Controversies Surrounding Robert Durst: A Detailed Timeline
Public opinion and media debates around Robert Durst—discover key moments of controversy.
Robert Durst was a real estate heir who became infamous for his connection to several deaths. He was a suspect in the 1982 disappearance of his wife Kathleen McCormack, the 2000 murder of Susan Berman, and the 2001 killing of Morris Black, for which he was acquitted. His participation in the documentary 'The Jinx' led to his arrest and subsequent conviction for Berman's murder in 2021, resulting in a life sentence. He was later charged with McCormack's murder but died in 2022 before a trial.
December 10, 1971: Lynne Schulze Disappearance
On December 10, 1971, Lynne Schulze, a Middlebury College freshman, visited Robert Durst's health-food store on the day she disappeared. She was last seen that afternoon near a bus stop across from the store.
January 1982: Date of Death Revised
In January 1982, the U.S. Court of Appeals revised the date of Kathleen McCormack's death to match the day she disappeared.
January 31, 1982: Last Sighting of Kathleen McCormack
On the evening of January 31, 1982, Kathleen McCormack was last seen by someone other than Durst at a dinner party in Newtown, Connecticut.
1982: Disappearance of Kathleen McCormack
In 1982, Kathleen McCormack, Robert Durst's first wife, disappeared, leading to years of investigation and speculation.
1982: Bacha Argues Black Knew Durst Years Prior
Private investigator Bobbi Bacha argues Morris Black had known Durst years prior and was likely involved in the disappearance of Durst's wife Kathleen in 1982.
1982: Durst Faxes Berman's Deposition
Robert Durst faxed investigators a copy of Susan Berman's 1982 deposition regarding his missing wife.
November 25, 1997: Possible Connection to Karen Mitchell's Disappearance
On November 25, 1997, credit card records placed Robert Durst in Eureka, California, the day Karen Mitchell vanished. Mitchell may have volunteered in a homeless shelter that Durst frequented. Durst, dressed in women's clothing, had visited the Eureka shoe store owned by Mitchell's aunt.
1997: Possible Connection to Kristen Modafferi's Disappearance Considered
In 1997, investigators considered a possible connection between Robert Durst and the disappearance of 18-year-old Kristen Modafferi, who was last seen in San Francisco.
1999: Letter Implicates Durst in Berman's Murder
In 1999, a letter written by Robert Durst, containing the same typographical error as the anonymous letter directing police to Susan Berman's body, was uncovered and used as evidence in 2019 implicating him in her murder.
November 15, 2000: Landlord Contacted Regarding 'Dorothy Ciner'
On November 15, 2000, Galveston landlord Klaus Rene Dillman was contacted via telephone by a man claiming to serve as aide to a deaf-mute woman named Dorothy Ciner, Robert Durst in disguise.
December 24, 2000: Murder of Susan Berman
On December 24, 2000, Susan Berman was found murdered in her home in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles.
2000: Murder of Susan Berman
In 2000, Susan Berman, a long-time friend of Robert Durst, was murdered. Durst was later convicted of her murder in 2021.
October 9, 2001: Durst Arrested in Galveston
On October 9, 2001, Robert Durst was arrested in Galveston after body parts belonging to his neighbor, Morris Black, were found.
2001: Killing of Morris Black
In 2001, Robert Durst killed his neighbor Morris Black in Galveston, Texas, leading to a murder trial.
November 11, 2003: Acquittal of Robert Durst
On November 11, 2003, Robert Durst was acquitted of the murder of Morris Black due to a lack of forensic evidence.
2003: Durst Admits to Lying in Morris Black Trial
During Robert Durst's testimony in his trial, he admitted to lying while under oath in the Morris Black trial in 2003.
2003: Matt Birkbeck Reports on Durst's Connection to Eureka Disappearance
In 2003, Author and investigative journalist Matt Birkbeck reported that credit card records placed Robert Durst in Eureka on November 25, 1997, the day Karen Mitchell vanished.
2003: Durst's Trial for the Murder of Morris Black
In 2003, Robert Durst was tried for the murder of Morris Black, where he claimed self-defense and was later acquitted.
December 21, 2004: Durst Pleads Guilty
On December 21, 2004, Robert Durst pleaded guilty to bail jumping and evidence tampering, receiving a five-year sentence.
2005: Durst's Deposition About Berman's Call
In a 2005 deposition, Robert Durst said that Susan Berman called him shortly before her death, saying the LAPD wanted to talk to her about McCormack's disappearance.
2006: 2006 Agreement with the family
In 2006, Durst's disclosure violated the terms of his 2006 agreement with the family, which had disbursed to him a lump sum of trust assets.
2012: Restraining Orders Sought Against Durst
In 2012, Robert Durst's family members sought and received restraining orders against him, citing fear for their safety.
2012: FBI Creates Informal Task Force
In 2012, the FBI created an informal task force to work with investigative agencies in jurisdictions where Robert Durst was known to have lived, including Vermont, New York, and California, though they could not connect him to the Long Island serial murders.
2013: Restraining Orders Sought Against Durst
In 2013, Robert Durst's family members sought and received restraining orders against him, citing fear for their safety.
July 2014: Durst Arrested for Incident at CVS
In July 2014, Robert Durst was arrested after turning himself in to police following an incident at a Houston CVS drug store in which he allegedly exposed his genitalia and urinated on a rack of candy.
December 2014: Durst Pleads "No Contest" in CVS Incident
In December 2014, Robert Durst pleaded "no contest" to misdemeanor criminal mischief in connection with the July 2014 incident at a Houston CVS drug store and was fined $500.
December 2014: Douglas Durst's Statement About the Dogs
In December 2014, prior to the airing of "The Jinx", Douglas Durst told The New York Times that he believed his brother, Robert Durst, was "practicing killing and disposing [of] his wife with those dogs," referring to the Alaskan Malamutes Robert owned in the early 1980s.
March 14, 2015: Durst Arrested in New Orleans
On March 14, 2015, Robert Durst was arrested by FBI agents at the Canal Street Marriott in New Orleans, registered under the false name "Everette Ward", after being tracked through phone calls. He was observed wandering aimlessly and mumbling to himself, having driven from Houston four days prior.
March 15, 2015: Durst's Personal Papers Seized
On March 15, 2015, New York State Police investigator Joseph Becerra removed sixty file boxes of Robert Durst's personal papers and effects from Susan T. Giordano's home in Campbell Hall, New York. These items had been sent for safekeeping three years prior by Durst's then-wife, Debrah Lee Charatan. Videotaped depositions related to the Black case were also stored there.
March 2015: Hearings on Durst's Statements after Arrest
In December 2019, evidential hearings were held regarding the admissibility of statements Robert Durst made in March 2015 just after his arrest in New Orleans, in an interview with Lewin.
March 2015: Susan Criss's Comments on Black's Dismemberment
In March 2015, Susan Criss commented on Robert Durst's skills in dismembering Morris Black's body.
March 2015: Access to Durst's Personal Records
In March 2015, The New York Times reported that Andrew Jarecki was given "unrestricted access" to Robert Durst's personal records, including videotaped material, for use in "The Jinx".
March 16, 2015: Durst Waives Extradition, Faces New Charges
On March 16, 2015, Robert Durst waived extradition and was set to return to California. However, Louisiana State Police filed charges against him for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possession of a firearm with a controlled substance, delaying his return. He could face up to life in prison on those charges.
April 23, 2015: Weapons Charges Dropped Against Durst
On April 23, 2015, Louisiana authorities dropped weapons charges against Robert Durst after negotiations with his defense team.
May 1, 2015: Douglas Durst Settles Litigation Against Jarecki
On May 1, 2015, the New York Post reported that Douglas Durst had settled litigation against Andrew Jarecki, confirming that Robert Durst was the source of videotaped depositions that appeared in "The Jinx". This settlement could allow Douglas to reclaim up to $74 million of Robert's assets.
September 21, 2015: Durst's Federal Weapons Trial Scheduled
On September 21, 2015, Robert Durst's trial on the federal weapons charge was scheduled. At this time, his attorney confirmed rumors Durst was in poor health.
October 2015: Attempt to File Wrongful Death Suit
In October 2015, Kathleen McCormack's brother attempted to file a wrongful death suit against Robert Durst on behalf of his mother but was challenged by one of his sisters.
November 2015: McCormack's Family Sues Durst for $100 Million
In November 2015, Kathleen McCormack's sisters and mother sued Robert Durst for $100 million, citing his role in her murder and denial of the "right to sepulcher".
November 16, 2015: Durst Ordered Rearraigned on Weapons Charges
On November 16, 2015, a New Orleans federal judge ordered Robert Durst rearraigned on the weapons charges and scheduled a hearing for December 17. His attorney stated that Durst did not kill Berman and wanted to resolve the other charges to expedite his extradition to Los Angeles.
December 7, 2015: Suit Filed to Freeze Durst's Assets
On December 7, 2015, Kathleen McCormack's family members filed a suit asking the court to freeze Robert Durst's assets.
December 16, 2015: Scheduling Conflicts Delay Durst's Trial
On December 16, 2015, prosecutors and defense attorneys stated in a joint motion that scheduling conflicts ruled out all dates before a January 11 trial date for Robert Durst.
2015: Matt Birkbeck Publishes 'A Deadly Secret'
In 2015, Matt Birkbeck published his book "A Deadly Secret" which reported that credit card records placed Robert Durst in Eureka on November 25, 1997, the day Karen Mitchell vanished.
2015: The Jinx Documentary and Subsequent Charges
In 2015, Robert Durst's participation in the documentary miniseries "The Jinx" led to him being charged with the murder of Susan Berman.
2015: Video of CVS Incident Released
In 2015, a recording of the July 2014 Robert Durst incident at a Houston CVS drug store was released on videotape.
2015: Charatan Distances Herself After "The Jinx" Airs
In 2015, after the documentary "The Jinx" began airing in February, Debrah Lee Charatan reportedly had not spoken with Robert Durst and had distanced herself from his affairs following the Black trial.
2015: Release of "The Jinx" Documentary
In 2015, the documentary miniseries "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst," co-produced and directed by Andrew Jarecki, was broadcast on HBO, which led to new legal troubles for Durst.
2015: Motion Filed to Exclude Evidence from 2015 Arrests
In May 2019, Robert Durst's attorneys filed a motion claiming evidence from his 2015 arrests were obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment and should be excluded.
January 11, 2016: Durst's Weapons Trial Date Rescheduled
On January 11, 2016, Robert Durst's weapons trial was originally scheduled. His attorneys requested a later date saying they would need more time to prepare after rulings on pending motions.
February 3, 2016: Durst Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge, Receives Sentence
On February 3, 2016, Robert Durst's trial was rescheduled, and he changed his plea to guilty to the federal gun charge and received an 85-month prison sentence.
July 2016: Family Requests Court Declaration of Kathie's Death
In July 2016, Kathleen McCormack's family asked the Surrogate's Court in Manhattan to declare that Kathie died on January 31, 1982, when she was murdered by Robert Durst, so the sepulcher lawsuit could proceed.
February 2017: Conditional Hearing Convened in Durst Case
In February 2017, a conditional hearing was convened where Nick Chavin testified that Robert Durst had confessed to murdering Susan Berman.
October 2017: Durst's Preliminary Hearing Postponed
In October 2017, Robert Durst's preliminary hearing was initially scheduled, but was postponed to April 2018 to accommodate his defense team, who suffered damage from Hurricane Harvey.
2017: Kathleen McCormack Declared Dead In Absentia
In 2017, the court granted the request and Kathleen McCormack was declared dead in absentia.
April 2018: Durst's Preliminary Hearing Rescheduled
In April 2018, Robert Durst's preliminary hearing was rescheduled after being postponed from October 2017.
October 2018: Judge Rules Enough Evidence Exists to Try Durst
In October 2018, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark Windham ruled that enough evidence existed to try Robert Durst for the murder of Susan Berman.
November 8, 2018: Durst to be Arraigned for Berman's Murder
On November 8, 2018, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark Windham ruled that enough evidence existed to try Robert Durst for the murder of Susan Berman and that he would be arraigned.
January 2019: Durst's Trial Date Set
In January 2019, Judge Windham set Robert Durst's trial date as September 3, 2019.
May 2019: Motion Filed to Exclude Evidence in Durst Case
In May 2019, Robert Durst's attorneys filed a motion claiming handwriting samples and other evidence from his 2015 arrests were obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment and should be excluded.
August 2019: Durst's Attorneys Argue About Cadaver Note
In August 2019, Robert Durst's attorneys argued, "What the note demonstrates is that the person who mailed it was aware that there was a body at the house, not that the individual murdered Susan Berman".
August 2019: Wrongful Death Lawsuit Dismissed
In August 2019, a wrongful death lawsuit against Durst, filed by Carol Bamonte, was dismissed.
September 3, 2019: Durst's Trial Date Set
On September 3, 2019, Robert Durst's trial date was set for September 3, 2019.
December 2019: Evidential Hearings Held Regarding Durst's Statements
In December 2019, additional evidential hearings were held regarding the admissibility of statements Robert Durst made in March 2015 just after his arrest in New Orleans, in an interview with Lewin.
December 24, 2019: Durst Admits to Writing "Cadaver Note"
In a surprise move on December 24, 2019, Robert Durst's lawyers contradicted his previous statements and filed court documents admitting that Durst wrote the "cadaver note."
2019: Filmmakers altered sequence of Durst's comments in The Jinx
In 2019, it became known that the filmmakers of "The Jinx" altered the sequence of Robert Durst's comments recorded in the bathroom at the end of the show, increasing the apparent severity of his musings.
March 2, 2020: Durst's Trial Begins, Then Postponed
On March 2, 2020, Robert Durst appeared in court to begin his trial, which was expected to take several months. However, the proceedings were postponed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 2020: McCormack family requests investigation of Durst and Charatan
In March 2020, the McCormack family first asked for the Manhattan District Attorney's office to look into Durst and Charatan's relationship
June 2020: Motion for Mistrial Denied in Durst Case
In June 2020, a motion by the defense for a mistrial because of the delay was denied in the Robert Durst case.
April 12, 2021: Durst's Trial Resumes, Then Postponed Again
In April 2021, Robert Durst's trial was scheduled to resume on April 12, 2021, after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was then postponed again until May 17, 2021.
April 2021: Windham Rules Further Delay Necessary, Offers Bench Trial
In April 2021, Windham ruled that a further delay until April 2021 was necessary due to the pandemic, but he would allow the trial to proceed if Durst agreed to a bench trial, without a jury. Durst declined this option.
May 13, 2021: Durst's Lawyers Request Postponement Due to Bladder Cancer
On May 13, 2021, Robert Durst's lawyers filed a motion saying Durst had developed bladder cancer, and moved that the court postpone the trial indefinitely and to release him on bail to receive medical treatment that was currently being provided. The motion was denied.
May 17, 2021: McCormack Disappearance Reclassified as Murder
On May 17, 2021, during Durst's trial for Berman's murder, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced that McCormack's disappearance had been reclassified as murder.
June 10, 2021: Durst Hospitalized, Trial Adjourned
On June 10, 2021, Robert Durst was hospitalized after being found "down and not in his wheelchair." Windham sent the jury home with plans to resume on June 14. Lewin expressed suspicion that the defendant was faking a medical crisis to force a mistrial.
June 28, 2021: Douglas Durst Testifies Against His Brother
On June 28, 2021, Robert Durst's brother Douglas appeared as a prosecution witness, stating he feared his brother and believed he was capable of murder.
July 29, 2021: Defense Asks for Emergency Halt to Trial
On July 29, 2021, Robert Durst's defense team asked again for an emergency halt to the case based on his poor medical condition, saying he was not able to testify on his own behalf, but was rejected on August 2.
August 5, 2021: Durst Expected to Testify
On August 5, 2021, Robert Durst was expected to testify on his own behalf, but court was adjourned until August 9 due to a positive COVID-19 test of a relative of Durst's legal team.
September 14, 2021: Jury Charged with Reaching Verdict
On September 14, 2021, the jury was charged with reaching a verdict by Judge Windham in Robert Durst's trial.
September 2021: Call for Investigation into Durst and Charatan's Marriage
In September 2021, following Robert Durst's conviction for murdering Susan Berman, a lawyer for Kathleen McCormack's family sent a letter to the Manhattan District Attorney claiming Durst's marriage to Debrah Lee Charatan was a sham to aid his financial crimes and murders. They requested an investigation into these claims and the issue of Durst's potential bigamy due to Charatan's claimed marriage to Holm.
September 17, 2021: Durst convicted of Susan Berman's murder
On September 17, 2021, Robert Durst was convicted of the first-degree murder of Susan Berman and faced a possible life sentence. He was also found guilty of multiple special charges. Durst's lawyers expressed disappointment and announced their intention to pursue all avenues of appeal.
October 14, 2021: Durst sentenced to life imprisonment for Berman's murder
On October 14, 2021, Robert Durst was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for the murder of Susan Berman. The court denied Durst's request for a new trial, citing the abundance of evidence against him. Durst's legal team immediately filed appeals, but his death may lead to the dismissal of these appeals.
October 2021: Grand Jury to Explore Charges
In October 2021, Westchester County prosecutors announced they would empanel a grand jury to explore charges against Durst in the McCormack case.
October 22, 2021: Durst Charged with McCormack's Murder
On October 22, 2021, Robert Durst was officially charged with the murder of Kathleen McCormack.
2021: Durst Listed in Pandora Papers Leak
In 2021, Robert Durst was among those listed in the Pandora Papers leak, which exposed the offshore sheltering of financial assets.
2021: Conviction in Susan Berman Murder Case
In 2021, Robert Durst was convicted of the murder of Susan Berman and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
January 2022: McCormack Family Files Wrongful Death Suit
In January 2022, the McCormack family filed a wrongful death suit against Robert Durst's estate, marking the fourth such suit since 2015, seeking to claim Durst's assets.
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