Judge dismisses wrongful death lawsuit filed by Kathy Durst’s family against the widow of Robert Durst

A federal judge has dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Kathy Durst against the widow of Robert Durst.

The judge released a 26‑page ruling Tuesday.

Robert Durst was charged with the murder of Kathy Durst, his first wife, who disappeared in 1982. Her body has never been found. Robert Durst died before the case could go to trial.

The Robert and Kathie Durst Story

Kathy Durst’s family filed the lawsuit claiming Robert Durst’s widow, Deborah Charatan, helped her husband avoid justice for years in connection with Kathy Durst’s disappearance and two other killings.

Millions of dollars were at stake in the civil case.

In his ruling, the judge acknowledged that Kathy Durst’s loss was devastating to her mother and siblings. However, the court found that to avoid summary judgment, the plaintiffs needed to show that Kathy Durst’s mother suffered financial harm as a result of her daughter’s disappearance.

The judge concluded that the plaintiffs did not meet that standard based on the evidence presented.

News 12 has reached out to attorneys for both sides but has not yet received a response.