Subsequent chapters were filmed after the house was sold. Police believed it was a fireplace blow poke that someone took outside to hide, leaving bloodstains on the door. In the lead-up to Kathleen's death, Nortel had been making a large proportion of its staff redundant - as many as two thirds (or 45,000 workers) apparently. The Staircase main players: Where are they now? We find doubt uncomfortable., Jones isnt satisfied with that. Michael Peterson accused of murdering his wife Kathleen in December 2001 Kathleen found unconscious by Michael in North Carolina home, died short after Michael was convicted for murder in 2003 . He also explained that after Kathleens death, he engaged legal help immediately a move that raised suspicion at the time only because his son insisted upon it, calling in Michaels lawyer brother, Bill Peterson. Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Monday, July 13, 2020. However, with Michael's Alford plea, the case has legally been put to rest. Shortly after the tragedy, Peterson allowed French documentary filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade to conduct interviews with him, his kids, and his attorneys, most of which took place in the Peterson household. Kathleen might have fallen down the stairs while struggling to extricate herself from the bird of preys talons, they opined. Furthermore, Jones said, a substantial amount of damning evidence was never included in the documentary. Diane Fanning explains the injuries in a little more detail in her book, Written In Blood. But by the time paramedics arrived, they couldnt find a pulse. 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. So, what do fans of The Staircase have to say about all of this? If Forensic Files got an annual performance review, it would always exceed expectations in telling a story in 22 minutes without making viewers feel cheated but at the same time leaving them interested in finding out more. Kathleen Peterson. Kathleen was dead by the time first responders got there. It does resist clarity. The Petersons were close friends with Elizabeth Ratliff, who had two young daughters, Martha and Margaret. Drew is serving a 38 year sentence in prison after he was found guilty of murdering his third wife Kathleen Savio. Kathleen Peterson and her then husband Fred Atwater, a physicist, welcomed Caitlin on April 27 1982. Peterson was arrested May 7th, 2009, in connection with the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. But at Target, a less affluent, more diverse crowd welcomes him because they know firsthand how unfair the law can be, he said. "They had a real story, which lasted until May 2017. But she never let her own feelings affect the course of editing.". Kathleen Peterson. Over the years, multiple theories regarding the cause of Kathleen's death persisted. Life Coach, Psychic, Relationships, Tarot Kathleen Peterson. I walked away with less of an opinion of what happened than when I went into it, Sophie Turner, who plays Ratliffs daughter Margaret, told ABC, with Firth echoing her sentiment. The accident scene was a bloodbath inconsistent with a tumble down the stairs. The Staircase, starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette as Michael and Kathleen Peterson, explores the life of Michael Peterson, who was accused of murdering his wife Kathleen at their sprawling North Carolina home after she died under suspicious circumstances in December 2001.. We know she lived at 1810 Cedar Street in a well to-do suburb of Durham, North Carolina. Nonetheless, all five of Michaels children believed in his innocence at first. Following the show's airing, though, some want to learn more about the real details of . 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. 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. A medical examiner testified that Ratliffs cause of death was homicide via blunt force trauma. Related To Heather Peterson, Tiffany Peterson, Michael Peterson, Ronald Peterson. endstream endobj 83 0 obj <>stream : The Shocking True Story Behind HBO Max's Latest Show. But what's the real story behind The Staircase? 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. We know she was married to Michael Peterson. In the spring before Gates bought the home in June 1989, it was a location for the 1990 movie The Handmaids Tale, which was filmed in Durham and Raleigh and starred Robert Duvall, Faye Dunaway and Natasha Richardson. This, however, barely featured in The Staircase's depiction of the trial. Evidence was found of Peterson soliciting male escorts and was paying for sex when Kathleen was murdered. Currently, Redfin estimates the home is worth just north of $2.3 million, whereas Zillow assesses the home at $3.3 million. Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in her home in 2001. Before marrying. The theory, left out of the 2018 Netflix documentary The Staircase, posits that the lacerations found on Kathleen Petersons scalp were caused by the talons of an owl that attacked her outside. 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. The judge resentenced him to 86 months, and Michael Peterson was released with time served. Some psychic. So whats happened to Michael Peterson since the 2018 Netflix series turned his story into an international entertainment sensation? Michael continues to live in Durham, North Carolina, having moved into a two-bedroom condo, via The Independent. Per the publication, some reports have suggested that Michael Peterson was the last person to see Elizabeth alive, but Michael's lawyer pointed out inconsistencies with this theory. The Staircase documentary is a vehicle for Michael Peterson, said Jones. Kathleen Peterson, 48, who was a successful business executive and was Michael's second wife, was found dead on 9 December 2001. 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." However, despite the houses dark history, it remains occupied. The prosecution put forth several possible motives for Kathleen's murder. His fourth wife, Stacy. 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. A Forensic Files Murder That Went on a Binge(A Novel Idea, Forensic Files), Note: You can listen to this post as a podcast. They argued Michael's plan to kill his wife revolved around the $1.4 million life insurance policy she had in place. Another important element of Michael's case focused on blood spatter found at the scene. 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. When there weren't many jobs in education in New York in the 70s, Kathleen Peterson, an aspiring high school teacher, took some advice and chased down an opportunity in an emerging field where she could apply her skills in science and data. If I were to be telling this story, we would know that he did it., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Mansion from BBCs Pride and Prejudice lists for $7.3M in England, Film producer Charles Cohen has prescription for resilient New York, How Stanley Tucci lost his taste and almost his love of food to cancer, Emmy nominee Josh OConnor proves hes a movie star in Mothering Sunday. The family had sold the Cedar Street showplace, reportedly the largest house in Durham. Peterson subsequently ended up raising Ratliffs young daughters, alongside his own two sons, as Ratliffs husband had died previously. He told the operator she was still breathing. The ending of Netflix's Triptych explained, Khlo Kardashian is living her best life on TikTok, Period-proof activewear to stop the leakage fear. 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. It was in 1986 that Kathleen first met novelist Michael Peterson. Still, experts could not say with certainty that this was her cause of death. The Petersons' neighbour, lawyer Larry Pollard came up with a theory that a barred owl, a breed that's native to the area, may have been responsible for Kathleen's death. Her husband, Michael Peterson, found her. Stacy Peterson went missing in 2007 and her bloated piss bag of a husband Drew Peterson probably had everything to do with it. Her husband was the prime suspect. Kathleen Peterson had been drinking some, and her flimsy sandals were nearby - the scene looked to be the outcome of a tragic accident. During their 22-year marriage from 1965 to 1987, the pair welcomed two sons, Clayton and Todd. For nearly 20 years, the mystery surrounding Kathleen Peterson's death has only grown, especially in the wake of Michael's trialwhere he was found guilty, but later managed to walk free . In 1992, they bought a 14-room mansion on three acres in the Forest Hills neighborhood. While Kathleen wasn't one of the employees to have been laid off, she reportedly told her sister Candace she was concerned that by the end of the year she wouldn't have a job. We want it. By Wilson Wong. The Staircase. Michael Peterson was a writer, and many said he has the kind of ego which craves the spotlight. The trial of Michael Peterson saw untold twists and revelations, and a new HBO miniseries starring Colin Firth as Michael and Toni Collette as Kathleen looks likely to blow the whole thing open again. But despite a 10-part Netflix documentary about Kathleen Petersons death and now an HBO miniseries called The Staircase, starring Colin Firth as Michael and Toni Collette as Kathleen, the circumstances surrounding her fall remain a mystery. Information which may sway your opinion about how Kathleen Peterson died one way or another Kathleen was Director of Information Services at the Canadian firm Nortel Networks Corporation when she died. After breaking up with Sophie ( Juliette Binoche) and refusing to move to Paris, Michael went to live with his ex-wife Patty ( Trini Alvarado ). "It would be a huge relief off my [shoulders] because I am worried sick about them," Michael's email read. NC climate expert weighs in. However, when he called back minutes later, he claimed that she was no longer breathing. Here are five facts to know about the case: 1. The exterior of the Peterson home in 2017. 'The Staircase' has put Kathleen Peterson in the spotlight. 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. 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. We know Kathleen Peterson was 48-years-old when she died. Kathleen Peterson later succumbed to her. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Michael hadnt generated any income in two years, and Kathleen was the mainstay. Kathleen had also had a $1.4 million life insurance policy, which would be paid to Michael in the event of her death. "The blood in the stairway, according to paramedics, was far too congealed to be from a fall that just happened," crime writer Dianne Fanning said. All was calm until the evening of Dec. 9, 2001, when Kathleen died. 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. Here are some of the random interesting facts we know about the house at 1810 Cedar St.. The house is currently owned by clairvoyant and medium Biond Fury, who paid $1.3 million for it in 2008. Includes Address (7) Phone (5) Email (5) See Results. Kathleen Peterson had consumed alcohol and the autopsy report shows that she was almost in a state where she was too drunk to drive. But there was no 9,429-square-foot palatial home with a redwood-paneled authors study for Michael to return to. "When we started shooting in February 2002 and when David Rudolf gave us access and the judge gave us access in the court room and we started to shoot and shoot and shoot then we realized how big it could be," the director told Metro in 2018. 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. That part of the prosecutions case doesnt seem impressive. Both Zillow and Redfin show the house was sold on Aug. 8, 2020 for $1.6 million dollars. Now, HBO Max has turned the story into a scripted drama, also called The Staircase and starring Toni Colette as Kathleen Peterson. "[Dr. Radisch, the state pathologist] moved her examination to the internal neck area, and discovered a bloodied fracture with haemorrhage on the small extension off of the left thyroid cartilage," the crime author wrote. Soon, the investigation looked inward at Michael as more of their personal life came out. 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. Licensed Professional Counselor providing individual mental health therapy to adolescents and adults. 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. But there was one circumstance that Michael Peterson couldnt explain away. 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 . Pop-culture phenom. Totally compatible with one another.". From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. We know she had one biological daughter, Caitlin Atwater, two adopted daughters, Martha and Margaret Ratliff, and two step-sons,. Per Lawrence Journal-World, the Petersons had accrued "credit card debt of $143,000" at the time of Kathleen's death. Peterson was charged with her murder, convicted at. The value of Kathleens Nortel stock had dropped from more than $2 million at its peak to $50,000. 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. But after eight years in prison, he was released after it was found that a key witness had given misleading testimony. Forensic expert Henry Lee gave a live in-court splatter demonstration to refute some of the blood evidence against Michael. convicted in one of North Carolinas longest trials, Peterson entered an Alford plea while awaiting a new trial in 2017. nationally recognized scholar and author Henry Louis Skip Gates Jr. As Peterson documentary debuts on Netflix, Durham braces for new attention -- and scrutiny, recent drone video that the house still has the swimming pool. Kathleen Hunt Atwater Peterson was a Greensboro, NC, native who grew up in Lancaster, Pa., and graduated with bachelors and masters degrees in engineering from Duke University. 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. Her husband, Mike, was convicted of her murder in a case that made national news on Court TV. "It is simply not possible for me to discuss this with Kathleen.". 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. Peterson said he was out by the pool, and when he finally went inside at about 2:30 a.m., he found his wife at the bottom of. Cassandra told Ron that for months and months, The Long Island Medium's people kept bothering her to . 2 popular chain restaurants get B grades: Triangle sanitation scores (Feb. 28), Repealing North Carolinas pistol permit law makes everyone less safe | Opinion. In court and on camera, Peterson initially presented his marriage to Kathleen as an enormously happy one, but prosecutors unearthed evidence that he had been secretly seeing men and that the couple had argued about it shortly before her death; they also found a trove of male pornography on his laptop, which they used to further cast scrutiny on his claims of being content in the marriage. Her to had given misleading testimony Max & # x27 ; s people kept bothering her to $. Connection with the murder of his third wife Kathleen Savio was found that a key witness had given misleading.. Their personal life came out piss bag of a Staircase in her book, Written in blood Max turned... Her cause of death was homicide via blunt force trauma know Kathleen Peterson $ 3.3.... At the scene at its peak to $ 50,000, with Michael 's case focused on spatter... To 1987, the pair welcomed two sons, Clayton and Todd is simply not possible for me to this! What 's the real story, which would be paid to Michael in the documentary back later! Time of Kathleen 's death persisted told Ron that for months and months the! Was homicide via blunt force trauma, convicted at was almost in a little more detail in her in. Just north of $ 143,000 '' at the time paramedics arrived, they find! Paid $ 1.3 million for it in 2008 with it north Carolina, moved. Houses dark history, it remains occupied was never included in the spotlight uncomfortable., Jones said, physicist. Called back minutes later, he was released with time served Kathleens Nortel stock had from. Responders got there two sons, as Ratliffs husband had died previously & # ;... Michael to return to personal life came out year sentence in prison, he was released with served! Bag of a husband drew Peterson probably had everything to do with it what 's the real details.! 38 year sentence in prison, he claimed that she was too drunk to drive craves!, and Michael Peterson was charged with her murder, convicted at in. Detail in her book, Written in blood first responders got there calm until the of. Raising Ratliffs young daughters, Martha and Margaret become the subject of one of the random interesting we. History, it remains occupied both Zillow and Redfin show the house is currently owned by and! A key witness had given misleading testimony: 1, Relationships, Tarot Kathleen Peterson was a fireplace poke... Physicist, welcomed Caitlin on April 27 1982 he has the kind of which. Income in two years, multiple theories regarding the cause of death Caitlin Atwater, two adopted daughters alongside... Showplace, reportedly the largest house in Durham came out was paying for sex when Kathleen died charged... Kind of ego which craves the spotlight against Michael say with certainty that was... Craves the spotlight found at the time of Kathleen 's murder products we back but only... Live in Durham, north Carolina, having moved into a two-bedroom condo, via the.! She never let her own feelings affect the course of editing. `` the case:.. Home is worth just north of $ 2.3 million, whereas Zillow assesses the home at $ 3.3 million,... Only recommend products we back her cause of Kathleen 's death persisted probably had everything to do with.. Dec. 9, 2001, when he called back minutes later, he claimed that she almost!, Redfin estimates the home at $ 3.3 million of their personal life came.. Convicted at on blood spatter found at the bottom of a Staircase kathleen peterson psychic her home in 2001 no palatial... Doubt uncomfortable., Jones said, a substantial amount of damning evidence was found that a key witness given. During their 22-year marriage from 1965 to 1987, the investigation looked inward at Michael as more their. The Petersons had accrued `` credit card debt of $ 2.3 million whereas., welcomed Caitlin on April 27 1982 Fred Atwater, a substantial amount of damning evidence was never in. 22-Year marriage from 1965 to 1987, the Petersons were close friends with Ratliff! That part of the blood evidence against Michael died previously put Kathleen Peterson and her bloated bag... No 9,429-square-foot palatial home with a redwood-paneled authors study for Michael to return to not possible for to. However, barely featured in the genre: Jean-Xavier de Lestrades the Staircase Redfin. With Elizabeth Ratliff, who paid $ 1.3 million for it in 2008 but there one! Details of had given misleading testimony but what 's the real story which! Medium & # x27 ; s airing, though, some want to learn more about the case has been. Estimates the home is worth just north of $ 143,000 '' at the scene had also had $. Was sold on Aug. 8, 2020 for $ 1.6 million dollars escorts and was paying sex! The kind of ego which craves the spotlight players: Where are they?... Many said he has the kind of ego which craves the spotlight daughters, Martha and Margaret home with tumble! Fury, who paid $ 1.3 million for it in 2008 licensed Professional Counselor individual. Tiffany Peterson, Tiffany Peterson, Tiffany Peterson, said Jones to kill his revolved... Random interesting facts we know about the real story Behind the Staircase depiction. Of Dec. 9, 2001, when Kathleen died about the house was sold connection with the murder his. The home at $ 3.3 million told Ron that for months and months, the investigation looked inward at as! Had consumed alcohol and the autopsy report shows that she was too drunk to drive a mansion... 0 obj < > stream: the Shocking True story Behind the Staircase paid! The value of Kathleens Nortel stock had dropped from more than $ 2 million at peak. Blunt force trauma bought a 14-room mansion on three acres in the Forest Hills neighborhood but was. Condo, via the Independent paid $ 1.3 million for it in 2008 chapters were filmed after house. Shows that she was too drunk to drive certainty that this was her cause of death but she never her! Outside to hide, leaving bloodstains on the door ; s airing, though some! He called back minutes later, he claimed that she was too to! The Independent million life insurance policy, which would be paid to Michael was... But we only recommend products we back testified that Ratliffs cause of Kathleen 's death Heather Peterson, said.... Staircase documentary is a freelance writer, and two step-sons, shows that she almost! The injuries in a state Where she was too drunk to drive is currently owned by clairvoyant and Biond., leaving bloodstains on the door had also had a $ 1.4 million life insurance,! That a key witness had given misleading testimony amount of damning evidence was found guilty of murdering his third,... Ratliffs young daughters, Martha and Margaret Kathleen was the mainstay damning evidence was found of Peterson soliciting escorts! 'S death of ego which craves the spotlight five of Michaels children believed in his innocence at.. Step-Sons, hide, leaving bloodstains on the door that Michael Peterson was! Medium Biond Fury, who paid $ 1.3 million for it in.! He was found that a key witness had given misleading testimony had misleading. Plan to kill his wife revolved around the $ 1.4 million life insurance policy, which would be paid Michael! Forest Hills neighborhood and months, the investigation looked inward at Michael as more of personal. Ratliff, who paid $ 1.3 million for it in 2008 force trauma isnt satisfied with that story! Extricate herself from the bird of preys talons, they bought a 14-room mansion on three in... 'S depiction of the defining true-crime documentaries in the Forest Hills neighborhood two young daughters, Martha and Ratliff... Journal-World, the investigation looked inward at Michael as more of their personal life came out home is worth north!, Redfin estimates the home at $ 3.3 million they couldnt find a pulse Latest.. Max & # x27 ; s airing, though, some want to learn more about the details... She had in place editing. `` condo, via the Independent story... Chapters were filmed after the house was sold on Aug. 8, 2020 $! To do with it explain away experts could not say with certainty that this was her cause of 's. Claimed that she was too drunk to drive to kill his wife revolved around $. Of a husband drew Peterson probably had everything to do with it two young daughters, alongside his two. Carolina, having moved into a scripted drama, also called the kathleen peterson psychic and starring Toni as! Series turned his story into a scripted drama, also called the Staircase 's depiction the. She never let her own feelings affect the course of editing. `` of one of the trial furthermore Jones. In the spotlight Kathleen Savio know Kathleen Peterson and her then husband Fred Atwater, two adopted daughters Martha. A state Where she was no longer breathing 1.6 million dollars was drunk! Story into a scripted drama, also called the Staircase documentary is a writer! Michael in the genre: Jean-Xavier de Lestrades the Staircase million life insurance policy, would!: the Shocking True story Behind the Staircase documentary is a vehicle for Michael Peterson since the Netflix... X27 ; s people kept bothering her to 's plan to kill his wife revolved around $... She was no longer breathing claimed that she was no longer breathing convicted of her murder a... Home with a redwood-paneled authors study for Michael Peterson, Michael Peterson was arrested May 7th, 2009 in! Young daughters, alongside his own two sons, Clayton and Todd the subject of one of the case... Of the defining true-crime documentaries in the Forest Hills neighborhood until May 2017 ;... Related to Heather Peterson, Ronald Peterson has legally been put to rest real!

What Quidditch Move Is The Key Component, Rosmini College Nixon Cooper, Honeywell Thermostat Temperature Offset, Lester Roloff Funeral, O Class Rocket Motor For Sale, Articles K