Robert Durst has been sentenced to life in prison after killing his best friend, Susan Berman, in 2000.
Two decades after Robert Durst ended the life of his best friend, Susan Berman, through execution-style killing, the suspect finally received a sentence without the possibility of parole.
The prosecutors revealed before the court that the now-78-year-old millionaire killed Berman due to her knowledge of the disappearance of Durst’s first wife, Kathleen. The woman was, reportedly, last seen alive in January 1982. Last month, he was finally found guilty of first-degree murder.
The authorities added that Durst killed more people other than Berman. Per the prosecutors, he was also responsible for the deaths of both Kathleen and Morris Black, his neighbor in Texas.
The court acquitted him of Black’s murder after insisting that it was only self-defense after the neighbor pointed a gun at him. He alleged that Black died when they struggled over the weapon.
Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney John Lewin revealed the facts during the first week of the trial.
“When Bob Durst killed Kathie, he killed Susan and Morris as well because once that happened, once he did that, there was no turning back,” Lewin said.
Durst’s crime was publicized two decades later
On December 24, 2000, the responders found Berman’s body inside the bedroom of her Beverly Hills home. A neighbor initially reported that her dogs were loose.
Initial reports revealed that she died after a fatal shot in the back of his head. There was also no sign of forced entry or struggle; her purse, cash, and belongings remained complete after her death.
During opening statements, Lewin said Berman was murdered by someone she trusted all her life.
Durst repeatedly denied he was in Los Angeles during Berman’s death. However, his attorney, Dick DeGuerin, later revealed he was in Los Angeles and planned to spend the holidays with his best friend when he found her dead.
“When Bob showed up and found her dead he panicked,” DeGuerin said. “He wrote the anonymous [cadaver] letter so her body would be found, and he ran. He ran away all of his life.”
Kathleen’s family sent a statement to PEOPLE, they said that she is still waiting for justice, although Durst has been finally convicted. They initially wanted to attend the millionaire’s sentencing. However, their request was denied.
Featured image courtesy of Law&Crime Network’s Official Youtube Channel