Robert Durst linked to Vermont student who vanished in 1971; police investigating

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Robert Durst leaves federal court in an Orleans Parish sheriff’s vehicle after his arraignment April 14 in New Orleans. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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Robert Durst is transported from district court to prison after his arraignment in New Orleans on Tuesday. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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Robert Durst is escorted into prison after his arraignment in New Orleans on Tuesday. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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Writer Susan Berman was killed in her home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Benedict Canyon. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

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Robert Durst, far right, photographed through fencing, is escorted into Orleans Parish Criminal District Court through a tunnel entrance, in New Orleans. Durst waived extradition Monday and will be taken to Los Angeles to face a murder charge in the 2000 slaying of a writer and friend. (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

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Multi-millionaire murder defendant Robert Durst, right, is congratulated by his attorneys Dick DeGuerin, left, and Mike Ramsey after receiving a verdict of not guilty Nov. 11, 2003, in Galveston, Texas. (Pat Sullivan / Associated Press)

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Multi-millionaire murder defendant Robert Durst demonstrates how Morris Black handled a gun during testimony at his trial on Oct. 23, 2003, in Galveston, Texas. (Pat Sullivan / Associated Press)

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In this Aug. 18, 2003, file photo, Robert Durst, left, sits in a courtroom during a pretrial hearing at the Galveston County Courthouse in Galveston, Texas. (Kevin Bartram / Associated Press)

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Robert Durst, center, is escorted by Northampton County deputy sheriffs before a hearing advising Durst of his rights under extradition laws Dec. 3, 2001, in Easton, Pa. (Robert Fish / Associated Press)

By Richard WintonStaff Writer

March 23, 2015 4:18 PM PT

Authorities in Vermont are examining whether there is a connection between murder suspect Robert Durst and the disappearance of a Middlebury College student four decades ago when he operated a health food store there.

Middlebury police on Monday said their investigation is related to the disappearance of 18-year-old Lynne Schulze in 1971.

Durst, a New York real estate scion, is being held in a New Orleans-area jail on weapons charges. He has been charged in the 2000 slaying of Susan Berman in Los Angeles. Berman was Durst’s confidant. At the time she was shot in the head authorities wanted to question her about the disappearance of Durst’s wife, Kathleen, in 1992.

FULL COVERAGE: Robert Durst case

The FBI has asked authorities in California, New York and Vermont to check their cold case files for the years he lived in those states.

“We are aware of the connection between Robert Durst and the disappearance of Lynne Schulze. We have been aware of this connection for several years and have been working with various outside agencies as we follow this lead,” Middlebury police said in a statement.

Detectives said Durst owned and operated the All Good Things health food store in the city at the time Schulze was reported missing. Citing the ongoing investigation, detectives said they would not release any other details.

Middlebury police officials said they reopened the Schulze case in 1992 and the case has been “continuously generating leads since the investigation was reopened.” Durst operated the health food store with his then-wife, Kathleen.

In Northern California, police and prosecutors in Humboldt County are examining whether there was a connection between Durst and the 1997 disappearance of teen Karen Mitchell.

Meanwhile, a New Orleans judge Monday ordered Durst to be held without bail because he’s considered a potential flight risk and danger to the community.

Prosecutor Mark Burton argued during a hearing that Durst, whose net worth is $100 million, made comments in the HBO series “The Jinx” that indicate he considers a $250,000 bail “chump change.” His next hearing is set for April 2.

MORE: Robert Durst’s trip from Houston involved cash, fake name and a gun

Follow Southern California crime @lacrimes.