MovieChat Forums > The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (2015) Discussion > Not a serial killer

Not a serial killer

posted 9 years ago by AnneOnymous
14 replies | jump to latest

Durst is a murderer who has killed at least 3 people, but I don't think that makes him a serial killer.

The first murder, of his wife, was probably an act of rage and control. The second 2 murders were his way of protecting himself from discovery. If he had managed to kill his brother, again, it would have been an act of vengeance.

I don't think this makes him a serial killer, as the murders do not fit any kind of pattern. The people he murdered or has wanted to murder are people who got in his way, for different reasons. It's not like he sought out a particular kind of person, killed them/disposed of them in the same way, or got some kind of pleasure from it. I don't think he went around thinking, 'Who can I kill next?' I think he went around thinking, 'This person has jeopardized my freedom and power, so they must die.'

[–] Stirchley 9 years ago

He's not a serial killer? Oh, well that's okay then.

[–] AnneOnymous 9 years ago

How did I suggest it was ok? He's obviously a dangerous person, and as dangerous to people he knows as any other kind of killer, but serial killers seem to have different patterns and motives for murder. I've heard him referred to as a serial killer and I don't think he is one, based on what we know.

[–] frosthv 9 years ago

a serial killer is usualy someone who gets a certain pleasure from each murdering, with a cooldown period in between

[–] hccman2000 9 years ago

Anne, who stated he was a serial killer? That is my field and he was certainly not a serial killer. He certainly committed murder of at least 2 people, and conspiracy to commit the murder in California.

[–] hccman2000 9 years ago

Anne,
Most people do not know the definitions of different types of killers.

[–] AnneOnymous 9 years ago

Yes, I've seen people suggest he is s serial killer. I know he is a murderer.

[–] Carlos_Nikos 9 years ago

Whilst I agree that he MAY NOT be a serial killer he does inhibit all of the key traits of a psychopath. Pathological Liar, lack of emotion, antisocial tendency, failure to accept responsibility for actions, lack of remorse, superficial charm, manipulative. There is no question in my mind that he is a psychopath and I would suggest this has a lot to do with many factors. Upbringing, surroundings from an early age, genetics, etc

The fact is he wanted to get caught but evade conviction. That was a game for him. He almost succeeded and you could argue he did given it has taken till now to bring him to justice or so I hope.

[–] AnneOnymous 9 years ago

Yes I think he is a psychopath, but I know not all psychopathic muderers are serial killers (and not all psychopaths are murderers). I've heard 'serial killer' bandied about in refernce to Durst, though.

[–] Protozoid 9 years ago

Durst has been suspected of up to 20 murders, and one of the detectives said that whoever cut up Morris Black had a disturbing amount of experience disposing of bodies. The Craigslist Ripper has a similar M.O. and Durst has been a suspect...

...sorry to disagree, but I think the jury is still out on whether or not he's a serial killer. My gut tells me this guy has been killing on a consistent basis for decades, except that he can only be connected to the murders of people he knew (his wife and best friend), but not to random young women dumped in the ocean.

[–] Amygdalahaha 9 years ago

Yeah, no.

A serial killer is most often defined as one who has committed 3 or more murders with a cooling off period. Thus, serial killer regardless of motive.

[–] LindsayDD 9 years ago

He's suspected of killing at least 3 people, so by definition he is. Although, those murders don't seem to be that of a typical serial killer. He's also been investigated for 3 other murders that are similar. The first being the 1971 disappearance of 17 year old Lynne Schulze. The second was the 1997 disappearance of 16 year old Karen Mitchell from Eureka, CA, and the third the 1997 disappearance of 18 year old Kristen Modafferi. Lynne Shulze was last seen near a bus stop across from his store. Durst was in Eureka, CA the day Karen Mitchell disappeared and might have volunteered at a homeless shelter he would be at. He also dressed up like a woman and went to her aunt's shoe store. The person in the sketch she was seen speaking to the day she disappeared look somewhat like Durst. Not to mention police suspected he might have been connected to the The Craigslist Ripper (Long Island serial killer/Gilgo Beach killer) case. I highly doubt he only killed his wife, friend and neighbor.

[–] activista 9 years ago

Dude is guilty as hell of at least a number of those murders, including his wife's. That's why it's been good to hear that he got arrested on evidence that he possibly murdered his friend Susan Berman. I mean come on---in at least 3 different locations he's been in, at least several people have disappeared? How can anyone not see a coincidence in that? Haven't seen the series, just saw news stories about it.

[–] JayCeezy 9 years ago

He's been involved in a lot more than what the documentary showed. Just google him or go to his wiki page, and it will send you to primary sources of his arrests, police departments investigating his involvement, crazy behavior like public indecency and p*ssing on a candy rack in CVS (this was in 2014), etc.

He had seven dogs, all malamutes named Igor and he killed them all. He announced he wanted to 'Igor' his brother (that's right using 'Igor' as a verb).

I have no idea what these people are thinking, claiming he is not a serial killer. But, it is the internet and people love to go off half-informed.

[–] AtheistRevolution 9 years ago

He's definitely killed a lot more people. He's a complete psychopath. Disgusting how much money has allowed him to run free.