Acquitted Killer Confesses on Hot Mic

Robert Durst was born into wealth and privilege, but his life became the stuff of true-crime legend. Heir to a multibillion-dollar New York real estate empire, he was known as much for his erratic behavior as his fortune. But beneath his eccentric persona lay a chilling pattern of violence. His story features a missing wife, a slain best friend, a dismembered neighbor and a shocking confession caught on a hot mic. How did a man born into such privilege end up at the center of multiple murder investigations? Here's everything you need to know about the chilling downfall of a billionaire turned serial killer.

Who was Robert Durst?

Robert Durst seemed to have it all — a successful career, family connections, and a beautiful wife. But his marriage to Kathie Durst, a bright and ambitious medical student, grew increasingly volatile. Friends described Robert as controlling, and Kathie reportedly confided that she feared for her life.

Then on Jan. 31, 1982, Kathie vanished. Robert claimed they'd argued before she left their Westchester County, New York, home to return to Manhattan. Five days later, he reported her missing.

Friends quickly suspected foul play. One friend even remembered Kathie saying, "If something happens to me, check it out. I'm afraid of what Bobby will do," according to Today.com. But police found no evidence tying Robert to her disappearance, and Kathie's case went cold.

What happened to Susan Berman?

But the mysterious circumstances surrounding Robert's friends and family didn't stop there.

Eighteen years after Kathie vanished, Robert's longtime friend Susan Berman — a writer with ties to organized crime — was found shot execution-style in her Los Angeles home on Dec. 23, 2000. Days before her death, police had planned to question Susan about Kathie's disappearance.

Susan played a unique role in Robert's life. She acted as his spokesperson after Kathie vanished, and some believed she helped him fabricate an alibi.

However, right before her death, Susan wrote to Robert, asking for money. He sent her $50,000 — then flew to California, leaving just before her body was discovered. Investigators later connected him to an anonymous note sent to police, alerting them to a cadaver at Susan's address.

What happened in Galveston, Texas?

After Susan's death, Robert went off the grid. He reemerged in 2001, living in a run-down boarding house in Galveston, Texas. Wearing a wig and women's clothing, he introduced himself as Dorothy Ciner, a mute woman.

But his quiet life unraveled when his neighbor, Morris Black, was found dismembered in Galveston Bay.

Despite his disguised identity, authorities quickly traced the crime to Robert. In a shocking courtroom moment, he admitted to chopping up Black's body but claimed self-defense. He alleged the two struggled over a gun, which accidentally discharged.

A Texas jury believed his story, acquitting him of murder — so Robert walked free despite admitting to dismembering a man with a saw.

A Hot Mic

Then in 2015, the HBO^® series "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst" reignited interest in his case. The six-part series explored Kathie's disappearance, Susan's murder, and Morris's grisly end.

In the finale, filmmakers confronted Robert with damning evidence: His handwriting matched the anonymous note sent after Susan's murder. He denied involvement and excused himself to use the bathroom, unaware his microphone was still live.

Then, in a moment of unintended candor, he muttered to himself, "What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course," as reported by People.com.

The chilling confession aired just hours after police arrested him for Susan's murder.

What happened to this serial killer?

Robert evaded justice for decades, thanks to his wealth, connections, and uncanny ability to manipulate the legal system. His 2020 trial for Susan's murder faced numerous delays, including a 14-month pause due to COVID-19.

Finally, in September 2021, a jury convicted him of first-degree murder. A month later, he received a life sentence without parole. Shortly after, New York prosecutors charged him with Kathie's murder.

What is Robert Durst's legacy?

Robert's life ended in a prison hospital in January 2022, just months after his conviction. He left behind a trail of unanswered questions and shattered families. Kathie's loved ones still wait for full justice, as her remains have never been found.

For many, Durst's story symbolizes the dark side of wealth and privilege — a chilling reminder that even the most charmed lives can hide unspeakable secrets.

References: Robert Durst's Story, Explained: From Real Estate Millionaire to Murderer | Who was Robert Durst? The bizarre true story behind Max's docuseries 'The Jinx'