News Releases

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that real estate heir Robert Durst was found guilty today for the 2000 slaying of his friend in her Benedict Canyon home.

“The jury’s decision demonstrates how our legal system can work to hold accountable people regardless of their wealth and status in life,” District Attorney Gascón said. “I want to commend our prosecution team and investigators for their diligent work to ultimately bring justice for those who have been waiting more than 20 years.”

A jury deliberated for several hours before finding Durst (dob 4/12/43) guilty of one count of first-degree murder. The panel also found true the special circumstance allegations of murder of a witness and lying in wait.

Sentencing is set for October 18.

Durst was convicted of killing 55-year-old Susan Berman on Dec. 23, 2000, by shooting her once in the back of the head. Her body was discovered in her home on Christmas Eve.

At trial, prosecutors said the defendant murdered his friend because she knew details about what happened to Durst’s wife, Kathie, who disappeared on Jan. 31, 1982, while the couple lived in New York. She has never been found.

Durst was arrested in New Orleans in March 2015 for the murder and brought back to Los Angeles.

Case SA089983 was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.