The Jinx: Meet Nick Chavin, Robert Durst’s Best Friend Turned Secret Witness

In the complex saga of Robert Durst, the late millionaire known for his criminal activities, an intriguing figure emerges: Nick “Chinga” Chavin, a former country music rocker and Durst's best friend. Chavin's deep ties to Durst were explored in an episode of "Jinx Part Two" titled “Friendships Die Hard.” His critical testimony in 2017 during the Susan Berman trial, which he gave after persuasion from his wife and a deputy district attorney, was pivotal. He testified that Durst confessed to the murder of Berman, saying, "It was her or me, I had no choice." This confession, along with other evidence, ultimately led to Durst's conviction for Berman’s murder. Despite the numerous dramatic turns in Durst's life, including multiple murders and a bizarre stint as a fugitive, the story of his friendship with Chavin, who once led a band called Country Porn, often went unnoticed. Filmmaker Andrew Jarecki viewed Chavin as a crucial element in understanding Durst, although he could not persuade him to participate in the original documentary series.