VOL. 2 NO. 45 Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
Durst investigation comes to unceremonious end
Former South Salem resident suspected of killing his wife in 1982
BY NICK TRUJILLO Rocah said. “Victims deserve justice.
STAFF WRITER O enders must be held accountable,
and we can learn from what was done
After former South Salem resident and not done in these cases to better
Robert Durst, convicted murderer serve victims in the future.”
and at one point the heir to family Following Kathleen’s disappearance
real-estate company the Durst on Jan. 31, 1982, Durst made
Organization, died on Jan. 10, the statements to the police that have
40-year-old investigation into murder since been contradicted by evidence.
of his rst wife, Kathleen McCormick He claimed that he drove her to
Durst, came to an unceremonious end. the Katonah train station as she
Following his death, the Westchester went back to their Riverside Drive
District Attorney’s O ce released apartment in Manhattan. He reported
a 12-page investigative report and her missing on Feb. 5 and based on
held a 30-minute press conference on his previous reports, the New York
Wednesday, Jan. 19, explaining the case Police Department focused their
of Kathleen Durst’s disappearance in investigation in Manhattan despite
1982. District Attorney Miriam E. disputing evidence.
Rocah detailed how Durst’s conviction Great emphasis was placed on
by the Los Angeles DA’s O ce for the a phone call supposedly made by PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
murder of his friend and con dant, Kathleen to her medical school after
Susan Berman, helped the Westchester her disappearance, which was later The team that worked on the Durst investigation, including NYSP Investigator Joseph
DA’s O ce bring charges against him, proven to be made by Berman by New Becerra and Westchester DA Miriam E. Rocah (both center, behind podium)
and the lessons that can be learned York State Police Investigator Joseph
from the 40-year investigative process Becerra in his investigations following many of Kathleen’s belongings after on Manhattan initially, that should’ve
of the case. Berman’s death in December of 2000. her disappearance. One of Durst’s changed more quickly as more facts
“With hindsight and broader According to the report, Durst lied Manhattan neighbors reported that came to light,” Rocah said. “ is
knowledge, we are able to see now about stopping at a neighbor’s house Kathleen had sought protection case should serve as a reminder that
how some missed opportunities by for a drink after supposedly dropping from Durst multiple times because domestic violence cases are often cases
law enforcement o cials, directing Kathleen o , and Durst’s cleaning she alleged he had beaten her and based in deception and secrecy, where
the early stages of the investigation, woman’s report that she found a small threatened her with a gun, which the details of what occurred cannot
may have contributed to the delay amount of blood on the dishwasher Durst denied. SEE DURST PAGE 6
in bringing the charges in this case,” and him telling her to dispose of “While the investigation focused
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PAGE 2 THE KATONAH LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
The Staff POLICE BLOTTER
EDITORIAL TEAM e following items are from the of those involved are usually withheld. was found inside the house. the Ohio man to send it back, which
BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER Lewisboro Police Department and are ATTEMPTED BREAK- HARASSMENT. Jan. 14, 9:45 he did. When he received the jacket,
EDITOR: 914-302-5628 only a portion of the calls to which the IN. Jan. 11, 9:53 a.m. – A real es- a.m. – A Katonah man told police he told the Ohio man that he would
[email protected] department responds. Please be aware tate agent reported an attempted that a few months ago, he sold a not be sending a replacement jacket
that these summarizations represent break-in at a South Salem home. jacket to a man in Ohio, who never because he never paid for the rst
NICK TRUJILLO only one perspective. In most cases, e night before, she stopped by paid for the jacket. A while later, one. On Jan. 13, the Katonah man
REPORTER attempts will not be made to contact the house and noticed that the back the Ohio man sent an email to the received an email from a man claim-
the accused nor will pursuits be made doors had been damaged. Speci - Katonah man, saying there was an ing to be an “O cer Shields” with
[email protected] to publish additional information or cally,the top portion of the latch was issue with the jacket and he wanted the Bedford Police Department. e
VIM WILKINSON updates. For those reasons, the names separated from the door.No damage it replaced. e Katonah man asked o cer told the Katonah man that he
must return the jacket. Suspicious,
SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR Monthl Editoria Calenda the Katonah man called the Bed-
[email protected] ford Police Department and learned
FEBRUARY 10 Supplement to January 20, 2022 WinCeter r that an O cer Shields did not work
ADVERTISING TEAM BIG GAME, there.
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JAY GUSSAK and for having an expired inspec-
(914) 299-4541 JUNE 9 Hudso Valle Livin tion sticker.After further investiga-
[email protected] SUMMER DINING & EVENTS, i fille wit ... tion, the driver was unlicensed and
SHELLEY KILCOYNE the car was unregistered. e rear
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[email protected] • great food ideas belonged to another car. e driver
JULY 14 was issued ve summonses and the
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CREATIVE DIRECTOR DISPUTE. Jan. 22, 7:25 p.m.
PHOTOGRAPHER AUGUST 11 • great getaways – Police intervened in a dispute
BACK TO SCHOOL • gift ideas between a landlord and tenant in
[email protected] Goldens Bridge. e tenant said
GABRIELLE BILIK SEPTEMBER 15 and MUCH MORE! he entered a lease agreement sev-
DESIGNER FALL, eral years ago with the owner of the
property, who has since died. Af-
[email protected] Health/Nutrition/Fitness, Dining terward, the tenant began paying
rent to the property owner’s son.
EXECUTIVE TEAM OCTOBER 13 However, the tenant was advised
BRETT FREEMAN REAL ESTATE, Home & Garden by a third party that the property
CEO & PUBLISHER had been foreclosed upon and is
845-208-8151 NOVEMBER 10 hoPamMLktrheUeeaeysSdilcrlea2ooodnc,pm0datp0omtbei0o2duun6csnosio,in0tpiyen0ia!se0tsses now owned by the bank. e next
HOLIDAYS/VENUES time the property owner’s son ar-
[email protected] rived to collect rent, the tenant re-
& CATERING fused to pay. e property owner’s
Deadlines son then “threatened to remove
DECEMBER 8 [the tenant’s] belongings from
THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES WINTER, Last minute gift ideas, the apartment.” Police advised the
DEADLINE property owner’s son to stop con-
dining, financial planning tacting the tenant.
THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS
To advertise, BEDFORD PORCH PIRATE
AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS IS THE call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. ARRESTED
THURSDAY BEFORE THE NEXT To be featured, On Jan. 18, the Bedford Police
PUBLICATION DATE. email Vim Wilkinson at [email protected]. Department arrested a 24-year-
old Bronx man who is accused of
FOR MORE INFORMATION, stealing items from the front porch
CALL BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER AT of a Katonah home on Oct. 31.
914-302-5628 OR EMAIL “ rough the use of multiple in-
vestigative techniques, including
[email protected] home surveillance cameras and
newly installed license plate read-
Location ers, detectives were able to deter-
mine the package was stolen by
118 N. BEDFORD ROAD a sub-contracted delivery driver,
SUITE 100 while making an unrelated deliv-
ery,” the department said. e man
MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 was charged with petty larceny.
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY
HALSTON MEDIA, LLC
©2021 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 YourNeighbor THE KATONAH LEWISBORO TIMES PAGE 3
Teen of the Month – Kaitlyn Varriale
BY KATE BELDERS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Kaitlyn Varriale, John Jay High School
senior, humanities research student, and
the class of 2022’s valedictorian, works to
improve the lives of others in her commu-
nity and beyond through her health policy
work and advocacy e orts.
Born in Greenwich, Connecticut, Var-
riale was raised in Lewisboro and attended
Meadow Pond Elementary and John Jay
Middle School.
In the summer before her sophomore
year, Varriale was diagnosed with Type 1
diabetes and, as a result, got a rst-hand
view of the health care system in the Unit-
ed States. is experience would in uence
Varriale’s focus on health care policy in the
humanities research program at John Jay.
During her humanities research pro-
gram, Varriale has interviewed many
professionals in the eld and eventu-
ally secured an internship at the Right
Care Alliance (RCA). e RCA consists
of a “coalition of clinicians, patients, and
community members organizing to make
health care institutions accountable to
communities.” At the RCA, Varriale co- PHOTO: RICH MONETTI
founded and facilitates youth study group In addition to her academic achievements, valedictorian Kaitlyn Varriale played for the
meetings where high schoolers and col- John Jay volleyball team.
lege students discuss various aspects of
the healthcare system. She has also helped Research Foundation ( JDRF). She is in- Within the walls of John Jay, Varriale
with an insulin campaign and a graduate volved with two di erent support groups is a member of many clubs and orga-
student’s research on equitable healthcare. as part of her work with the JDRF. e nizations, which include the National
Varriale also leads a study group for teens rst group focuses on parents of children Honors Society, for which she serves as
called Health Before Wealth. Stepha- who have been recently diagnosed, and the President of her class. In addition,
nie Aines of the RCA states that “at the the other group consists of teens in the she is involved with Campus Congress PHOTO COURTESY OF KRYSTIN ZAPPALA VARRIALE
RCA, we believe and value everybody’s greater New York City area. In addition to and is a member of the Equity and Ra- Kaitlyn Varriale
lived experience over, or just as important, her work with the JDRF, Varriale is also a cial Justice Committee. Varriale also
as academic knowledge. Kaitlyn lives this member of Northern Westchester Hospi- participates in a student leadership pro-
value—always asking people for their per- tal’s President’s Junior Leadership Council gram called Peer Group. the future is to be in a position where she
spectives and sharing her own.” (PJLC). e PJLC is a “youth leadership In addition to the many school orga- can make the most impact for greater uni-
Aines goes on to say that “Kaitlyn bal- program for high schools in Northern nizations she is involved with, she also versal access to healthcare.
ances con dence to speak up about her Westchester who meet twice monthly to played varsity volleyball for John Jay since
own opinions, and her humility in ask- develop projects about public health issues freshman year. is year she served as the Editor’s Note: Due to other professional
ing other people about their ideas. I have a ecting their peers and community.” team’s senior captain. obligations, this will be Kate Belders’ nal
worked with dozens of high school stu- Beyond her volunteer and outreach ac- To prepare for college and to further “Teen of the Month” contribution to the
dents in the past few years, and Kaitlyn tivities, Varriale will also soon be a pub- her education in public health, Varriale Katonah-Lewisboro Times. We thank her
stands out among her peers. She is com- lished author. Recently, she was informed completed an intensive college-level pub- for her work in spotlighting these impressive
mitted to learning, takes initiative, and that her humanities research paper, “How lic health course at Cornell University last John Jay High School students over the past
makes space for others to participate.” Socioeconomic Status Dictates the Health summer. With graduation just around the several years. If another writer has interested
Varriale is highly involved in the com- Care Patients with Type One Diabetes corner, she plans on going to college to fo- in picking up the mantle on a freelance
munity through her public health-focused Receive in America,” has been accepted cus on health policy. After college, Varriale basis or has another idea to showcase
volunteer e orts. One of her volunteer for publication in the International Jour- wants to obtain a Juris Doctorate ( JD). local students, email the editor at KLT@
e orts supports the Juvenile Diabetes nal of High School Research. However, for Varriale, her overall goal for halstonmedia.com.
Give to the Food Pantry
at the Community Center
HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, Donate: CommunityCenterNW.org
LIFE & HEALTH
914-232-7750
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PAGE 4 THE KATONAH LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022
BEDFORD PLANNING BOARD
‘Connector’ approved for restaurant
Ristorante Lucia, a restaurant at 454 Old Post Road on the plan at its meeting on Monday, Jan. 10. e new structure will be transparent (glass) with a
in Bedford, has received approvals to build a “connector” e connector will allow sta and customers the solid roof.
in between its two existing buildings.
ability to move between the two buildings without –Brian Marschhauser
e Bedford Planning Board unanimously signed o going outside.
BEDFORDTOWN BOARD
Candidates come forward to fill vacancy
Will be publicly interviewed this Friday
BY TOM BARTLEY the Bedford United banner. letters and resumes expressing “I want to let people get wanted to do it for longer than
CONTRIBUTING WRITER e person chosen will serve interested in serving. Candidates their full time to put in their just one year,” she said.
had until this past Tuesday, after applications,” she explained,
For the rst time, Bedford from about mid-February until saying the eld would be made A year ago, the Town Board
residents can watch from home year’s end, succeeding Ellen e Katonah-Lewisboro Times public after the Jan. 25 deadline appointed longtime Planning
this week as their neighbors Calves. Calves was midway went to press, to apply for the to apply had passed. Board chair Don Coe to ll a
compete for a year’s appointment through her four-year council post. one-year vacancy on the board.
to the Town Board. term when she was elected In response to a question, By all accounts, Coe served well,
supervisor last November and “I don’t know if any more however, Calves did say that one but at 91 he was more than happy
At least a half-dozen hopefuls took o ce Jan. 1. people are going to get their of the six applicants who have to step down when his term
were expected to be interviewed letters and resumes in this already responded had been a expired at year’s end.
Friday ( Jan. 28) in a Zoom- e appointment would be week,” Calves said in a weekend Bedford United candidate last
broadcast work session conducted a temporary one, good for this interview. November. Among the new “We loved having Don Coe,”
by the short-handed board. One year only. “You would have to independent party’s council Calves said. “He was fantastic.
of the people being interviewed run in November to keep the With last year’s Democratic candidates then was Michaelis, I really enjoyed working with
was expected to be longtime seat next year,”Calves noted,“and turmoil showing signs of who in addition to leading the him. He asked good questions...
Zoning Board of Appeals then you’d have to run again the lingering, even mustering the Zoning Board of Appeals has I would have loved to have him.”
chair Peter Michaelis, who following November to get it for requisite three votes to ll a board served on a number of other town
unsuccessfully sought a Town four more years.” vacancy may be a steep climb. “I advisory and permitting panels. A Bedford Village home
Board seat last November under hope at least three of us can agree address, Calves suggested, would
As of last Monday ( Jan. 24), [on a candidate],” Calves said, Michaelis did not immediately be “a good characteristic” on an
six residents had submitted “and if not, we’ll call for a special respond to a weekend request for applicant’s resume.“We don’t have
election.” comment, but a source said his anyone from Bedford Village on
name was among the six already the board,” she noted. e board
In discussing the potential scheduled for a Friday interview. has a raft of un nished business
candidate eld last weekend, in the hamlet, Calves said,
Calves said she wanted to wait Calves, for her part, said things like parking, wastewater,
until the Tuesday application she would like to see someone and beauti cation. “So, I would
deadline had passed before interested in serving beyond Dec. de nitely consider that important,”
identifying anyone who had so far 31. “It would be nice if somebody the supervisor said.
put their names into consideration.
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