When Benjamin (Bugsy) Siegel was murdered in 19947 he was replaced as head of Vegas' Flamingo Hotel by a trio that included David Berman. Berman's daughter, Susan was reared in the lap of Vegas luxury. She was indulged, sheltered and unaware of her father's mob connections. Her father's death when she was 12 was a rough blow. It was at his funeral that Susan was made aware of her father's background. She grew up learning about Vegas and its underworld chiefs. She got an MA in journalism and published two books: Easy Street and Spiderweb. Her personal life was not a happy one. There was failed marriage and several soured relationships. One lasting friendship from her college days was with Robert Durst, heir to the Durst real estate fortune. Friends say the relationship was platonic and that Susan was equally close to Durst's wife, Kathie. Kathie Durst vanished in 1982. Her husband was considered a prime suspect in her disappearance. At present Durst is awaiting trail in Galveston, Texas, for the murder of an elderly acquaintance. Durst had recently given Susan large sums of money, pointing out that it was "not a loan".
On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, 2000, Susan was shot in the back of the head, mob execution style. No forced entry, no robbery, nothing missing form her home. Did she know her killer? She had information about the fate of Katie Durst. Many questions - but few answers. The investigation continues.