Robert Chambers (criminal)

For other people named Robert Chambers, see Robert Chambers (disambiguation).
Robert Emmet Chambers Jr.
Born (1966-09-25) September 25, 1966 (age 58)
New York, New York, U.S.
Other namesThe Preppy Killer
The Central Park Strangler
Known forKilling of Jennifer Levin
Criminal statusParoled
Parents
  • Robert Emmet Chambers Sr. (father)
  • Phyllis Chambers (née Shanley) (mother)
Conviction(s)First degree manslaughter
First degree criminal sale of a controlled substance
Second degree assault
Second degree burglary
Criminal penalty5 to 15 years imprisonment (1988)
19 years imprisonment (2008)

Robert Emmet Chambers Jr.[1] (born September 25, 1966) is an American criminal. Dubbed the Preppy Killer and the Central Park Strangler, Chambers gained notoriety for the August 26, 1986, strangulation death of 18-year-old Jennifer Levin in New York City's Central Park, for which he was originally charged with second degree murder. Chambers changed his story several times during the course of the ensuing investigation, ultimately claiming that Levin's death was the accidental result of him pushing her off of him as she purportedly sexually assaulted him, an account that was characterized by media accounts as one of "rough sex". Chambers later pleaded guilty to manslaughter[2] after a jury failed to reach a verdict after nine days of deliberation.[3]

  1. ^ Lambert, Bruce; Baker, Al (October 23, 2007). "'Preppy Killer' in Drug Arrest". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  2. ^ Walters, Sam (July 30, 2023). "Infamous 'Preppy Killer' released from NYS Prison". WSAU. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  3. ^ Harris, Chris (August 26, 2019). "Everything to Know About 'Preppy Murder' Case 33 Years After N.Y.C. Teen's Death in Central Park". People. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.