However, as Snell told jurors, "the seven wounds he observed while watching other forensic pathologists perform the autopsy were a major reason he changed his initial finding of 'accident' to homicide from a beating.". Kathleens company, Nortel, had a mass-firing, and the couple worried she might also lose her job, leaving the pair without a source of income to maintain their lifestyle. He and Patricia split up, and he began a relationship with his neighbor Kathleen Hunt Atwater in Durham, North Carolina, in 1992. However, Michael Peterson himself didnt return home after his release. For instance, one theory suggested that the lacerations on the victim's head were caused by an owl, as "a microscopic feather was found in Kathleen Peterson's hand with some of her hair," via The News & Observer. A video accompanying the in-depth News & Observer piece gave Michael an opportunity to talk about his everyday post-prison life. In 2018, Academy Award-winning French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade released The Staircase, a 13-episode Netflix documentary investigating the real causes of Peterson's passing. "They had a real story, which lasted until May 2017. You can read more in depth information about the owl theory here. The staircase she was found dead at the bottom of was just one of many in the vast property, and the couple were thought to have been relaxing by the swimming pool in the garden prior to Kathleen's death. Kathleen was 48 at the time of her death. Police responding to N.C. 55 late Tuesday night found two people who had been shot. Kathleen Hunt was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on February 21, 1953. After breaking up with Sophie ( Juliette Binoche) and refusing to move to Paris, Michael went to live with his ex-wife Patty ( Trini Alvarado ). In 2018, Fury launched a GoFundMe campaign to help him pay for his own repairs, only to later list the home at a price of $1.9 million in 2020. This article was originally published on June 8, 2018, Heres What Happened To Riley In 'The Last Of Us' Video Game, Twitter Is Losing It Over Succession Ending With Season 4, Everything To Know About 'And Just Like That' Season 2, This 'The Last Of Us' Filming Error Reminds Fans Of 'Game Of Thrones' Mistakes, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Kathleen was dead by the time first responders got there. Early on in The Staircase, a 13-part docu-series originally produced in 2004 in France that both confuses, confuddles, frustrates and leaves us longing for more, we learn that Kathleens apparent tumble down a flight of stairs looked a lot more like a murder then a fall. The site of Kathleen Petersons death in 2001 a nearly 9,500-square-foot mansion on a sprawling 3.4-acre lot in the heart of Durham has become a point of interest for true-crime fans and viewers of the popular Netflix documentary series The Staircase.. This week Sandy and I tackle a cold case from 2007 of Missing Mom Stacy Peterson who went missing from the home she shared with her abusive husband, former police officer Drew Peterson, who was later convicted of murdering his third wife, Kathleen. And then there was the owl theory, introduced late in the documentary. Kathleen died on December 9, 2001, so she never reached the end of the year to find out her fate. That description would fit with writer Aphrodite Jones' revelation in her book on the case, A Perfect Husband, that Michael Peterson had a book deal ready and raring to go after the trial - if he was found not guilty. A successful career as an executive at the communications firm Nortel followed. Following the show's airing, though, some want to learn more about the real details of . "Without Kathleen's job and her pay check, he could not continue to support his two adult sons, he could not continue to maintain that home, he could not live the lifestyle he'd grown accustomed to. As of 2022, its hard to say exactly who occupies the Petersons former home. Then, learn about Susan Powell, who warned her family her death might not be an accident. At 2:30am, Michael Peterson called 911. Michael sold the house he shared with Kathleen in 2004, and a subsequent owner re-sold the property for $1.6 million in 2020. According to Esquire, the couple moved in together three years later. However, despite the houses dark history, it remains occupied. Usually it was the result of direct trauma to the bone and was common in strangulation or attempted strangulation," she noted. Like the fact the couple were in a lot of debt when Kathleen died. Although I tend to agree with the prosecution that Michael Peterson is responsible for Kathleen Petersons and Liz Ratliffs deaths, its still sweet to see the loyalty of his children and their willingness to accept him as he is. Toni Collette's emotional portrayal is bound to create even more interest in the real Kathleen Peterson. His fourth wife, Stacy. There are the believers: In terms of the owl suspect, witnesses have helped the Durham County Police come up with a composite drawing, now being distributed widely throughout the region: If you see him, dont attempt to apprehend him as hes armed and dangerous, but do contact the Durham County Police Department immediately. Michael's sons, Clayton and Todd Peterson, were also in severe debt. Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Fk2 0yl0S] n[IEz T Kathleen is an engaging and dynamic teacher, who always takes the extra step . Police believed it was a fireplace blow poke that someone took outside to hide, leaving bloodstains on the door. Oh, and one more little thing: Investigators found thousands of gay male porn images and hookup conversations on Michaels computer. However, HBO Max's The Staircase gives viewers the opportunity to reexamine the circumstances surrounding Kathleen's death, while also delving into Michael's trial. 82 0 obj <>stream Michael and Kathleen Peterson. At 2:40 a.m. on December 9, 2001, Peterson called 911 to say he'd found his wife's body at the bottom of a staircase. As one of their friends told CBS News in 2003, "They had all the appearances and trappings of happiness. Hosts with the most. Both Zillow and Redfin show the house was sold on Aug. 8, 2020 for $1.6 million dollars. Call-guy talks. Convicted murderer and former police officer Drew Peterson was sentenced to 38 years in prison back in 2012 in connection to the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Missing murder weapon. The couple renovated and resold the house to a New York psychic medium by the name of Biond Fury for $1.3 million in 2008. Ratliff had assigned Michael as guardian of her kids and left him her entire estate. Kathleen Peterson. It does resist clarity. Its not what [de Lestrade] included, its what he did not include, Jones whose 2004 book A Perfect Husband profiles the case and became the basis for the 2007 Lifetime movie The Staircase Murders, starring Treat Williams told The Post. And as CNN reported, Kathleen apparently had a $1.8 million life insurance policy, and prosecutors argued that Michael might have killed his wife for financial gain. Inside Kathleen Petersons Mysterious Death And The True Story Behind The Staircase. A male escort even testified in court that he'd engaged in an email exchange with Michael mere months before Kathleen's death, with the pair planning to meet in person, via CNN. Michael placed two 911 calls, and emergency services attended the scene soon after. Psychic Discusses Kathleen Peterson Murder In this special episode of Reality Life with Kate Casey podcast a medium is asked to discuss the unsolved mysteries of the murders of Sister Cathy Cesnik and Kathleen Peterson, the kidnapping of Sherri Papini, and the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Here's what you need to know about Kathleen Peterson's death, Michael Peterson's trial, and what's happened in the two decades since the case first hit the news. Perhaps he was trying to delete some files. Peterson, then 58, was a successful writer; Kathleen, then 48, a telecommunications executive. Also known as Cathleen Peterson, Cathy Peterson, Kathy M Peterson. It riveted viewers even as it wrapped up with the conclusion that, well, we can really never know whether Michael did it or not. Located in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Durham, the house boasts a patio with an outdoor fireplace, a library, a game room, five bedrooms, and five-and-a-half bathrooms, not to mention the pool where Michael claimed to be during what he alleged was his wifes accidental fall down the stairs. Michael Peterson went on trial for Kathleens murder in 2003 and was convicted in one of North Carolinas longest trials. Kathleen Peterson. As reported by CNN, a judge ruled that the jury had been misled by former SBI agent Duane Deaver's bloodstain evidence; Deaver was also fired in 2011. CNN reported that Young testified during the trial, revealing the Petersons had been spending $100,000 a year more than they made for three years before Kathleen Peterson's death. The fact that people even want to believe that is maddening. Whats more, she said, the feathers on Kathleen were likely from a pillow. Michael and Kathleen married in 1997. Michael Petersons attorney, David Rudolf, told the court, Show me one piece of evidence, one person who says that Kathleen was upset because Mike was bisexual. By all reports, Michael and Kathleen enjoyed a close, happy marriage and were sought-after guests on the local social scene. As reported by CNN Law Center, medical examiner Dr. Kenneth Snell had initially marked Kathleen's death as an "accident" caused by falling down the stairs. After a stir in the local community, a 2004 true crime documentary titled The. Kathleen Hunt was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on February 21, 1953. Although the case is more than two decades old now, Kathleen Peterson's death and the trial that followed are still a subject of fascination for many. Then 68-years-old, Michael was released from prison pending a new trial, and after posting a $300,000 bond, via The News & Observer. And thats exactly what Larry Pollard, a friend and neighbor of the now-free but convicted felon Michael Peterson, says he believes happened to Kathleen Peterson on the night a jury was led to believe her husband, Michael, killed her. Corrections officers at the prison didnt always find him as charming as his old dinner party friends did, and he earned some time in solitary for mouthing off, according to the Raleigh News & Observer. Kathleen Peterson in Indiana We found 32 records for Kathleen Peterson in Nappanee, Columbus and 21 other cities in Indiana. Hes a SHU-in. Kathleen Hunt Atwater Peterson (February 21, 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina - December 9, 2001 in Durham, North Carolina) was an American business executive, engineer, and philanthropist.She is well known as the subject of the documentary series The Staircase, which addresses the circumstances surrounding her death.. She was married twiceto Fred Atwater in 1977 and to Michael Peterson . Cat is Cosmopolitan UK's features editor covering women's issues, health and current affairs. Today, Caitlin is married and is now known as . In November 1985, Ratliff was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in her home. loans were so high they had no money left to live on. Over the years, Dateline has continually covered the case of how writer Michael Peterson's wife, Kathleen, ended up dead at the base of a staircase in their 14-room house. Kathleen is an acclaimed Contact Center consultant and recognized industry visionary. Investigators later brought in a forensic meteorologist who determined it was 51 to 55 degrees outside that night, a little too cold for beach clothes, which made investigators question whether he was really at the pool when Kathleen fell. After learning about the mysterious death of Kathleen Peterson, read the shocking story of Dalia Dippolito, whose murder-for-hire plot to kill her husband was caught on camera by police. Michael hadnt generated any income in two years, and Kathleen was the mainstay. Here are five facts to know about the case: 1. Time for a tome. Members of law enforcement were reportedly suspicious of the scene at the Peterson residence in Durham, North Carolina, with NBC News reporting, "there was so much bloodeverywhereon the victim, splattered up the stairwellthat they couldnt rule out foul play." According to Bustle, Peterson's son Clayton now lives in Maryland with his two children. Psychic Norbert, the only psychic asked by the family of Stacy Peterson to investigate her disappearance, correctly predicted the arrest of her husband, former Bolingbrook, IL police officer Drew Peterson. It was in 1986 that Kathleen first met novelist Michael Peterson. He told police she may have fallen after mixing alcohol and Valium but was unsure because he was outside when she fell. But Michael hit a rough patch when he decided to run for mayor of Durham. Mrs. Kathleen Hunt Atwater Peterson, was born February 21, 1953, in Greensboro, North Carolina, and died of a tragic accident in her beloved home in Durham, North Carolina, Sunday, December 9, 2001. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. Mr. Pollard, a long-time friend and neighbor of the Petersons, has suggested that microscopic owl feathers where found in Kathleen Petersons hand, mixed together with her own hair, during her autopsy, suggesting that she perhaps attempted to fight off an owl attack. As reported by Lawrence Journal-World, "Prosecutors introduced evidence of [Michael] Petersons bisexuality and attempts to hire a male prostitute," suggesting that an argument could have broken out between husband and wife over the revelation. The prosecution put forth several possible motives for Kathleen's murder. This week Sandy and I tackle a cold case from 2007 of Missing Mom Stacy Peterson who went missing from the home she shared with her abusive husband, former police officer Drew Peterson, who was later convicted of murdering his third wife, Kathleen. Kathleen Peterson's life insurance was later split between her daughter, Caitlin Atwater, and her first husband Fred Atwater. Among the 19 total rooms, there are five bedrooms and six bathrooms, along with a brick patio, slate patio, and both upper and lower galleries. $.5.99 / minute. The Horrific Autopsy Report Of Staircase Murder Victim Kathleen Peterson. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Now 79 years old, he lives alone in a ground-floor . Michael said he and Kathleen were relaxing by their pool, and she went inside to work on the computer. We want certainty. If its not clear, play it that its not clear, Firth said. Sociological errands. "She's a survivor and in no trouble, but the stress is monumental there.". What has yet to be determined was exactly how Kathleen met her demise. Gates bought the house in June 1989. In the first 911 call, Michael Peterson frantically tells the operator that Kathleen is "still breathing" and urges them to hurry. fbZC\/>W2n[Fi RzN`s_`%KZ@VZ!>W/wkUCenGU8vTO[&()wn %~*J%O1U`Yow O0?v_.^{Le#}k2^-@0\Lk 'k0nBtn9]IV^KA='9os7" True-crime author Aphrodite Jones, who covered the case, hasnt seen the new series but thinks it isnt likely to tread any new ground if it follows the beats of the documentary. As Michael was the only one in the . He was sentenced to life imprisonment in October 2003. A medical examiner testified that Ratliffs cause of death was homicide via blunt force trauma. Though one of their sons was at the scene before police, and the tree branch would have been easy to dispose of and could explain the needles and feathers, many of these and other theories do not have enough evidence to hold up to scrutiny. Resides in Orange, CA. Michael moved into a two-bedroom condo, according to reporting from Cosmopolitan on June 11, 2018. She was a successful student and was the first woman admitted to Duke Universitys School of Engineering in 1967, where she earned her bachelors and masters degrees and met her first husband, physicist Fred Atwater. She was lying in a dried pool of her own blood. This story was originally published July 18, 2018, 11:15 AM. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Kathleen married Michael in 1997, and the couple proceeded to merge their two families. Novelist Michael Peterson told police he was sitting by the pool at the house at 1810 Cedar St. on the night of Dec. 9, 2001, and when he went inside around 2:30 a.m., he found his wife at the bottom of a back staircase, where she bled to death. However, that meeting never transpired, and it's unclear if Kathleen knew about her husband's sexuality or not. Over the years, Dateline has continually covered the case of how writer Michael Petersons wife, Kathleen, ended up dead at the base of a staircase in their 14-room house. When Kathleen went inside to bed, he reportedly stayed outside to smoke his pipe. Michael told Dr. Phil McGraw that medical reports confirmed Liz Ratliff died of a stroke. Kathleen Peterson and Michael Peterson in an undated photograph. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. Cathleen Peterson-Layne, PhD, MD Empowering Leaders and Teams to lead with greater clarity and courageous decision-making. In 2017, Peterson entered an Alford plea, which acknowledges without admitting guilt that a trial had found enough evidence to convict him, and he was released on time already served. Heres how Raleigh ranks among US metros for first-time homebuyers, 74,000 & growing: Some NC police departments stockpile guns rather than release them. It was revealed during the trial that Kathleen was the only owner of their mansion and car and that Michael may have been enticed by her $1.8 million life insurance policy. The documentary director told Metro that he began filming Peterson in February 2002 and didn't wrap until 2018. Michael Peterson, now 78, moved in with the then Kathleen Atwater in 1989, two years after the break-up of his first marriage. Kathleen Peterson Born: February 21, 1953 Birthplace: Greensboro, North Carolina, USA Death: December 9, 2001, Durham, North Carolina, USA (lacerations to skull) Bio: Michael Peterson's Second Wife Olivia DeJonge Born: April 30, 1998 Birthplace: Melbourne, Australia Caitlin Atwater Born: April 27, 1982 Birthplace: North Carolina Netflix acquired the series in 2018, once again reigniting fascination around the case. "It was an injury unlikely to occur in a fall. And as if the trial needed more sordidness, Brad the hooker was called to the stand, where he congenially answered the prosecutors questions about his services. A forensic analysis showed that she had been lying there alive for hours before Michael called 911 around 2:40 a.m. Everyone knows at least one wacky guy who wears shorts in cold weather. She moved to Baltimore to study how to . However, with Michael's Alford plea, the case has legally been put to rest. In 1992, they bought a 14-room mansion on three acres in the Forest Hills neighborhood. Kathleen Peterson, 48, who was a successful business executive and was Michael's second wife, was found dead on 9 December 2001. Horrifying discovery. He needed her money to survive the way he wanted to survive," she said. Soon after entering prison, Michael was injured in a fight, something HBO Max's adaptation explores in depth. Currently, Redfin estimates the home is worth just north of $2.3 million, whereas Zillow assesses the home at $3.3 million. The Shocking True Story Behind 'The Staircase', 35 Classic Photos from the Academy Awards, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. This, they said, led to a heated argument that ended with Michael pushing Kathleen down the stairs. Toxicology showed a blood alcohol content of 0.07 percent, just under the legal limit, and blood concentration of Valium consistent with a therapeutic dose. He stayed outside to smoke for 45 minutes or so and found her at the bottom of the stairs when he came back in. The New York Times would later describe Michael as having a theatrical personality. Kathleen was a live wire, too. On Nov. 25, 1985, when Michael was living in Germany and married to his first wife, Ratliff turned up dead at the bottom of a staircase just as Kathleen Peterson did 16 years later. The NBC series most recently broadcast an update of Down the Back Staircase in 2017. The ensuing case would become the subject of one of the defining true-crime documentaries in the genre: Jean-Xavier de Lestrades The Staircase. The eight-part series debuted in France in 2004 and in America in 2005, then arrived on Netflix in 2013 with additional episodes shot by de Lestrade in the years after the initial case. The actors in the new Staircase seem content to accept the cases ambiguities. The other theory about Kathleen Peterson's death, Harry and Meghan 'evicted' from Frogmore Cottage. In addition to contending that Kathleen discovered information about Peterson's bisexuality the night of her death, prosecutors also contended that Peterson killed his wife to gain control of. The Staircase left out one very important plot twist: The Owl Theory. It was determined that Kathleen died because of blood loss 90 minutes to two hours after she received several blows to the back of the head with a blunt object. His explanation to cops, that she had been drinking and had likely taken a sleeping pill and fallen, was deemed unconvincing; he was arrested for her murder shortly thereafter. Not one shred of evidence. At least one person was swayed by the physical evidence: Kathleens daughter Caitlin, who had initially supported Petersons claims of innocence, along with his children. Self-professed psychic Irene Lalagos testified Thursday that Stacy Peterson feared her police sergeant husband would carry out a murderous threat if she ended their . Her husband, novelist Michael Peterson, became the center of the investigation and was. We know she was found dead at the bottom of the stairs at her home on 1810, Cedar Street, covered in blood, with seven lacerations to her head. "Poor Kathleen is undergoing the tortures of the damned at Nortel. But by the time paramedics arrived, they couldnt find a pulse. And the happy hustler was off the table too the seizure of Petersons computer messages was ruled unlawful, so Brad couldnt testify again. This type of plea allows the accused to maintain their innocence while also acknowledging that the prosecution likely has sufficient evidence to convict. Why Thomas Crapper's Name Is Synonymous With The Toilet Even Though He Didn't Actually Invent It, Eerie Facts About Point Nemo, The Most Remote Location On Planet Earth, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. On 8th December 2000, Michael Peterson called emergency services saying that his wife Kathleen Peterson had fallen down the stairs. He developed a relationship with Sophie Brunet, the editor of the documentary filming his case. Where is Morgan from the Murdaugh Murders now? (And those investigators must have had money to burn they could have looked online or asked an autistic savant to recall the temperature that evening.). Born Kathleen Hunt on February 21, 1953, she graduated first in her class from J.P. McCaskey High School andreports Indy Week"became the first female student accepted into Dukes engineering school." Also known as K Peterson. He did find himself a post-lockup girlfriend, however, in one of the editors of The Staircase. Nonetheless, in the end, there was just too much evidence against Michael Peterson. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Until next time, cheers. The Cedar Street colonial was purchased by a local couple, one of whom was Jason Balius, a former co-owner of the Mad Hatter Bakeshop in Durham, for $640,000 in 2004, per WRAL News. Before marrying Kathleen, Michael Peterson was married to Patricia Peterson. Kathleen's autopsy later concluded that the manner of her death was homicide, due to "multiple blunt force impacts to [the] back of the head." By then, one of Michaels books, A Time for War, had made its way onto the New York Times bestseller list and generated enough cash to pay for the Colonial Revival-style house containing the now-famous staircase. Soon, the investigation looked inward at Michael as more of their personal life came out. Michael later became a novelist, weaving his real-life experiences in the military into the plots of his books. Pollard theorised that Kathleen could have been attacked outside by one of these owls, which would account for the seven unexplained lacerations to her head. But, as the prosecution pointed out in the trial, Kathleen was actually the sole owner of the house and the car. Kathleen worried that she would lose her own $145,000-a-year job amid the downsizing, the AP reported. Caitlin changed her mind after seeing the autopsy report, and ended up siding with the prosecution. But at Target, a less affluent, more diverse crowd welcomes him because they know firsthand how unfair the law can be, he said. A 2009 motion for a new trial based on the owl attack theory was unsuccessful. For this week, I looked into whats happened to Michael Peterson since the Netflix series ended in 2018 and whether a theory that a rogue owl played a role in Kathleens death ever got any traction. You can see from recent drone video that the house still has the swimming pool where Michael Peterson said he was sitting alone the night Kathleen died. Forensic Files produced A Novel Idea back in 2006, but any murder story that includes well-educated mansion owners plus a cheerful male escort on the witness stand is sure to be revisited many times. While the prosecution argued that Michael most likely murdered Kathleen with a fireplace blow poke that was deemed missing from their Durham home at the time of her death, Michael's defense attorney argued that Kathleen died from a fall down the stairs. Off he went to North Carolinas Correctional Facility in Nash. Kathleen Peterson later succumbed to her. Two Ukrainian women look back at one year of war, Why you shouldn't go into TikTok's "monk mode", 9 interesting things about Kathleen and Michael Peterson that were left out of 'The Staircase'. Peterson entered an Alford plea while awaiting a new trial in 2017, allowing him to plead guilty to manslaughter while maintaining his innocence. "This is one of the incredible things that happened during those 15 years. Now her grave is a destination. Also in 2019, Michael Peterson made a two-part appearance on Dr. Phil. Instead, Michael laid the blame for his murder conviction on humans. Pop-culture phenom. Woman killed in double shooting on Durham highway, Chatham County housing authority director arrested, accused of $200,000+ in wire fraud, Alligator living at Walmart in NC stirs debate, as many demand it be allowed to stay. Now, the case becomes a dramatization on HBO Max as a miniseries titled, once again, The Staircase. Premiering May 5, it stars Colin Firth as Michael, Toni Collette as Kathleen, Michael Stuhlbarg as defense attorney David Rudolf and Parker Posey as prosecutor Freda Black. So, what do fans of The Staircase have to say about all of this? On December 9, 2001, Michael Peterson found his wife, Kathleen Peterson, dead at the bottom of the back staircase in the 11,000-square-foot mansion that they shared with their children in Durham, North Carolina. Case Notes: On December 9th 2001, Kathleen Peterson was found by her husband, Michael Peterson, at the bottom of the stairs in the home that they shared in Durham. During their 22-year marriage from 1965 to 1987, the pair welcomed two sons, Clayton and Todd. Peterson is now serving a life term. However, SBI expert Duane Deaver claimed "based on the blood spatter on her husband's shorts and shoes, the wearer was standing directly over Kathleen Peterson when she was killed," via The News & Observer. Per ABC News, Michael reported watching America's Sweethearts earlier that evening with his wife, then drinking some wine and sitting by the pool. 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