DA Rocah Releases Report Into Disappearance Of Kathleen Durst

WHITE PLAINS, NY — "Missed opportunities" by law enforcement and other factors contributed to the delay in bringing justice in the disappearance of the wife of real estate scion Robert Durst.

The death of the 78-year-old Durst in a state prison hospital facility in California Jan. 10 put an end to prosecution in Westchester County for the death in 1982 of his wife, Kathleen Durst. Her body has never been found.

Robert Durst was sentenced Oct. 14 to life in prison for murdering his friend and confidante Susan Berman in California in 2000.

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah released Wednesday a report on the investigation into Kathleen Durst's disappearance.

The extensive and thorough investigation led a Westchester County grand jury to indict Robert Durst Nov. 1 with second-degree murder.

Rocah said she was releasing the report into the investigation to provide as much transparency as possible.

"While nothing can provide the transparency of a public trial, that option is unavailable given Robert Durst's recent death," she said.

The report summarizes facts that are not subject to grand jury secrecy, Rocah said.

"These are all things about which there has been much speculation over the years and I believe that sharing facts with the public, where possible, is the best way to enhance public trust in our criminal justice system," she said.

The report gives details about the 1982 investigation into Kathleen Durst's disappearance and how statements made by Robert Durst soon after his wife's disappearance led police to initially believe she was last seen in Manhattan.

Those statements were discredited through the statements of other witnesses — and later by Robert Durst himself — while additional witnesses uncovered information about alleged incidents of domestic violence by Robert Durst against Kathleen Durst.

Also in the report are discussions of crucial facts and evidence revealed during the production of the HBO documentary "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst" and his prosecution in Susan Berman's murder.

Rocah said that law enforcement can and should look at how this case was handled and what can be learned about the crucial early stages of criminal investigations when people with status, wealth and power are implicated.

"By learning from past investigations, we can better assure the public that no one is above close scrutiny of law enforcement and that domestic violence victims, like Kathleen Durst, can be saved before their abuse ends in death," she said.

"In the end, I hope that the charges that were filed in this case send a powerful message that no one is above the law and no victim's case should be forgotten," Rocah said.

The full investigative report can be viewed by clicking here.