William Steel Libri

In the early 1980s, William Steel's life took a dark turn when he encountered Robert Durst in midtown Manhattan. At the time, Steel was studying locksmithing and security systems, and Durst, a notorious figure from a wealthy New York real estate family, sought Steel's unique skills. Unbeknownst to Steel, Durst was the prime suspect in his first wife's mysterious disappearance and potentially one of America's wealthiest serial killers. Over nearly a decade, Steel and Durst developed a relationship characterized by mutual exploitation, with Durst paying Steel for access to his Brooklyn home for illicit activities involving drugs and sex with various prostitutes. As their acquaintance deepened, Durst shared disturbing stories that blurred the line between confession and fantasy, hinting at acts of rape, torture, and murder. It wasn't until years later that Steel became convinced of Durst's monstrous nature, grappling with guilt over his inability to intervene and prevent further atrocities. In his compelling memoir, Steel exposes the depths of Durst's depravity and advocates for justice for the victims and their devastated families.