Known for its edgy and often boundary-pushing content, HBO has produced yet another intriguing series. This time the network introduced a docuseries that tells the mysterious life of alleged murderer, Robert Durst.
This six-part documentary, “The Jinx” begins by providing background information on real estate mogul, Robert Durst. The first couple episodes tell much about Durst’s childhood, including his wealthy upbringing and the tragic death of his mother. It is essential to not only include information from recent life events, but from his early life as well.
As the series continues, the audience grows to learn more about Robert Durst. However, viewers begin to see a darker, more secretive side of Durst as they soon find he is strongly tied to several murders: the disappearance or murder of his wife, his close friend, and his neighbor.
To start, the documentary connects Durst to the disappearance and possible murder of his first wife, Kathie Durst. In 1982, the time of her disappearance, police and investigators were not able to pin point exactly what happened to medical student, Kathie Durst. Nor could they confidently name who was responsible for such a horrific event.
Although they were not fully certain if Robert Durst was accountable, the series features interviews with several law officials who felt as if Durst’s lack of enthusiasm to find his missing spouse, in addition to their outstanding marital issues were red flags in the case.
In the early 2000s, Judge Jeanine Pirro reopened the case with a new approach; she hoped to question Susan Berman, a close friend and “spokes person” of Robert Durst. The media and general public were now aware of Pirro’s next move.
Ironically, shortly thereafter, an anonymous letter was sent to the Beverly Hills Police Department indicating the death of Susan Berman. The letter caught the attention of law enforcement because it used medical terminology such as, cadaver and included unique misspellings. This very letter alerted police to the death of Berman.
For quite some time, it was speculated that Durst was responsible for Berman’s death due to the fact that she kept his darkest secrets and ran to his defense in the time of Kathie’s disappearance yet, nothing came of these speculations.
With the official airing of “The Jinx”, came more haunting and rather convincing evidence. For example, the producers of the series were able to reach Susan Berman’s stepson. Thus, allowing them to have access to all new information, including old letters from Durst to Berman. Interestingly enough, these letters included the same unique misspellings found in the letter to the Beverly Hills Police department in 2000. Not to mention, the hand writing looked oddly similar as well.
The series concludes with a hand writing analysis and confrontation with Robert Durst. At this point, both audience and Durst are sitting at the edge of their seats. It is hard to ignore such strong evidence
On March 15, 2015 the LAPD was able to arrest Robert Durst with the first-degree murder of Susan Berman. Although they claim this documentary was not the reason they were able to confidently arrest Durst for this murder, any information provided in the docuseries can be used in court. Additionally, director and producer, Andrew Jarecki might be called as a witness in this case.
Today, at the age of 71, Robert Durst awaits trial in jail; he was not eligible for bail, like in previous instances. To find out more information on “The Jinx,” visit http://www.hbo.com/the-jinx-the-life-and-deaths-of-robert-durst#/
