New York, NY – March 16, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — New York real estate heir Robert Durst was charged today with the 2000 murder of his friend, Susan Berman, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Durst (dob 4/12/43) is charged in case SA089983 with one count of first-degree murder with the special circumstances of murder of a witness and lying in wait and gun use allegations. Durst, who was arrested Saturday by FBI agents in New Orleans, is being held without bail.
Deputy District Attorneys John Lewin and Habib Balian with the Major Crimes Division are assigned to the case. Prosecutors have been working closely with the Los Angeles Police Department for the past two years investigating the cold case murder.
Durst is charged with murdering Berman on or about Dec. 23, 2000. Her body was discovered in her Benedict Canyon home on Christmas Eve.
Durst waived extradition at his appearance today in a New Orleans court. He will be brought back to Los Angeles at a future date for arraignment.
The capital murder charge makes Durst eligible for the death penalty. Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek death.
The case remains under investigation by LAPD.
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About the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey leads the largest local prosecutorial office in the nation. Her staff of nearly 1,000 attorneys, 300 investigators and 800 support staff members is dedicated to seeking justice for victims of crime and enhancing public safety. Last year, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted more than 71,000 felony defendants and nearly 112,000 misdemeanor defendants
Media Contact:
Jane Robison, Assistant Chief
Media Relations Division
213-974-3525
JRobison (at) da.lacounty (dot) gov
Twitter: @LADAOffice
