Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
'The Jinx' Subject Robert Durst Might Have Been Trying To Flee To Cuba Before Arrest
Robert Durst, the subject of the HBO documentary series The Jinx, was arrested in New Orleans on Saturday night and might have been trying to flee to Cuba.Federal agents acted on a warrant issued by the LAPD after the unsolved murder of Susan Berman had its case reopened last week. A source with the police told the L.A. Times that investigators are now working on the theory that Durst killed the writer in her Benedict Canyon home because she knew details about the disappearance of Durst's wife. A statement from the LAPD was more vague: "As a result of investigative leads and additional evidence that has come to light in the past year, investigators have identified Robert Durst as the person responsible for Ms. Berman's death"
Durst was taken into custody by federal agents in the lobby of the J.W. Marriott hotel he was staying at, registered under a fake name and identity. The feds say he was wandering in the area and mumbling to himself before the arrest, and cooperated with authorities once they identified themselves to him. According to ABC 7, the FBI thinks Durst might have been trying to flee to Cuba. The first flight directly to the island from New Orleans in over 50 years took off on Saturday.
The final episode of The Jinx airs tonight and Durst's attorney think it's no coincidence. "It's all about Hollywood," said Chip Lewis, who successfully defended him in the death of Durst's former neighbor Morris Black, claiming it was self-defense. Lewis said his client would not fight the extradition Los Angeles.
"He's maintained his innocence for years. Nothing has changed," said the attorney.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?