Early Life and Education of Robert Durst: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Robert Durst. A timeline of key moments.

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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1902: Joseph Durst's Immigration

In 1902, Joseph Durst, Robert Durst's paternal grandfather, immigrated to the United States from Austria-Hungary.

April 12, 1943: Robert Durst's Birth

On April 12, 1943, Robert Alan Durst was born. He later became a convicted murderer and real estate heir.

Others born on this day/year

1953: Psychiatric Report on Robert Durst

In 1953, a psychiatrist's report on 10-year-old Robert Durst mentioned "personality decomposition and possibly even schizophrenia."

1965: Durst Earns Economics Degree

In 1965, Robert Durst earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Lehigh University and enrolled in a doctoral program at UCLA.

1969: Durst Withdraws from UCLA

In 1969, Robert Durst withdrew from his doctoral program at UCLA and returned to New York.

1971: Durst Meets Kathleen McCormack

In late 1971, Robert Durst met dental hygienist Kathleen McCormack.

January 1972: Kathleen Moves in with Durst

In January 1972, Kathleen McCormack moved in with Robert Durst in Vermont.

April 12, 1973: Robert Durst's Marriage to Kathleen McCormack

On April 12, 1973, Robert Durst married Kathleen McCormack in Manhattan.

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.

1992: Douglas Durst Takes Over Durst Organization

In 1992, Douglas Durst was appointed to take over the Durst Organization instead of Robert, leading to Robert's estrangement from his family.

1999: Reopening of Criminal Investigation

In 1999, the New York State Police quietly reopened the criminal investigation into Kathleen McCormack's disappearance.

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.

November 2000: Public Reopening of McCormack Disappearance Investigation

In November 2000, the New York State Police investigation into Kathleen McCormack's disappearance became public.

December 11, 2000: Durst Marries Debrah Lee Charatan

On December 11, 2000, Robert Durst married Debrah Lee Charatan. The couple had briefly shared an apartment in 1990, but never lived together as husband and wife. Durst described it as a "marriage of convenience."

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: Acquittal in Morris Black Murder Case

In 2003, Robert Durst was acquitted of the murder of Morris Black, despite admitting to dismembering his body.

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.

July 15, 2005: Durst Paroled

On July 15, 2005, Robert Durst was paroled from prison after serving part of his 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.

March 1, 2006: Durst Released from Custody Again

On March 1, 2006, Robert Durst was released from custody again after violating the terms of his parole.

2006: Settlement of Family Trust Case

In 2006, Robert Durst settled his case regarding the family trust, giving up any interest in his family's properties and trusts in exchange for a one-time payment of about $65 million.

2006: Durst Bought Out of Family Trust

In 2006, Robert Durst was bought out of the family trust for $65 million after suing for his share of the fortune.

2011: Durst Purchases Townhouse in Harlem

In 2011, Robert Durst purchased a $1.75 million townhouse on Lenox Avenue in Harlem and was being kept under surveillance. Durst also owned three condominia in Houston.

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: Douglas Durst denies Robert witnessed mother's suicide

In a March 2015 interview with The New York Times, Douglas Durst denied that his brother Robert had witnessed their mother's suicide.

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.

2016: Family Requests Kathleen Declared Legally Dead

In 2016, Kathleen McCormack's family asked to have her declared legally dead.

2018: Court of Appeals Revises Date of Death

In 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals had revised the date of McCormack's death to match the January 1982 day she disappeared.

August 2019: Wrongful Death Lawsuit Dismissed

In August 2019, a wrongful death lawsuit against Durst, filed by Carol Bamonte, was dismissed.

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.

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: 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.

March 25, 2022: Court appearance order for Durst's heir

On March 25, 2022, a federal judge in the Southern District of New York ruled that Debrah Charatan, Durst's second wife, must appear in court to justify why she should be allowed to manage his $100 million estate.

March 2023: Wrongful death case can proceed

In March 2023, a federal court judge ruled that the wrongful death case filed by Kathie Durst's family against Robert Durst's estate could proceed, determining the lawsuit was not untimely due to Durst's death.

April 2023: Conference Scheduled for Wrongful Death Case

In April 2023, a conference was scheduled following the ruling that the wrongful death case filed by Kathie Durst's family against the estate of Robert Durst could proceed.