THE PREPPY MURDERER
Story Of Jennifer Levin's Death In Central Park
People aren’t always who they seem to be and the same could be said for Robert Chambers. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the murder of Jennifer Levin. A new five-part documentary, The Preppy Murder: Death in Central Park is set to be simulcast November 13 through 15. The AMC/Sundance docuseries will reveal more about the convicted murderer known as the “Preppy Killer.”
Here’s the backstory: In August 1986, Chambers murdered Levin in Central Park at 5th Avenue and 83rd Street near NY’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The crime scene was graphic. Levin was raped and strangled. Her clothes were disheveled and her limp body lay among the trees. Chambers was named the prime suspect when authorities discovered he was out with Levin the night before. People came to Chambers’ defense, uttering the age-old line: “I just can’t see him doing anything like that.”
Like some charismatic, good-looking killers, Chambers got off relatively easy. His lawyers claimed he killed Levin because she was the aggressor and was too rough during sex. Without the victim there to defend herself, it was a classic case of victim shaming. Chambers ended up taking a plea deal and was sentenced to 15 years for manslaughter. (He is back in prison on drug charges and set for release in 2024.)
But that’s not where the story ends. After Chambers was convicted, disturbing videos surfaced of his strange behavior. He was even spotted early the next morning as detectives combed through the crime scene. And that’s where the documentary begins. It shows never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with Chambers that may give viewers chills. The story is gruesome, but it’s adding to the true crime zeitgeist and provides a new take on a 30-year-old case. Those who lived through it will learn something new and those who didn’t will add to their bank of knowledge. It’s definitely a true crime series everyone should intensely watch.