Michael Peterson was so worried, in fact, he emailed his first wife Patty eleven days before Kathleen's death to ask her to take a $30,000 home equity loan to help their sons out because he was unable to do so. According to the houses current Zillow description, the 9,500-square-foot house sits on 3.5 acres, stands behind wrought iron gates, and is complete with stonewall walkways. Peterson is now serving a life term. "It was an injury unlikely to occur in a fall. A great deal of the first eight episodes of the Netflix documentary series The Staircase were set at the Peterson home. fbZC\/>W2n[Fi RzN`s_`%KZ@VZ!>W/wkUCenGU8vTO[&()wn
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The couple lived together for a time after his release, he said. 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. Plus the death of Liz Ratliff in Germany was deemed inadmissible. The police were out to get him because he criticized them in columns he wrote for the Herald-Sun before Kathleens death, he told Dateline. Kathleen Peterson's life insurance was later split between her daughter, Caitlin Atwater, and her first husband Fred Atwater. Toni Collette's emotional portrayal is bound to create even more interest in the real Kathleen Peterson. 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 was her initiation as Healer and Guide into the Lineage of King Salomon that amplified Kathleen's natural ability to flow this Light and love energy. The Horrific Autopsy Report Of Staircase Murder Victim Kathleen Peterson. But Michael hit a rough patch when he decided to run for mayor of Durham. In 1992, they bought a 14-room mansion on three acres in the Forest Hills neighborhood. Throughout the entire tragic ordeal, the Peterson home remained occupied. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Friends of Liz Ratliff, who lived on the same German military base as Michael and his first wife, testified about the bloodiness of the scene of her demise. Thats all for this week. Wikimedia CommonsIt has been theorized that a Barred Owl attacked Kathleen. The Petersons were heavily in debt, owing over $100,000 in credit debt. It riveted viewers even as it wrapped up with the conclusion that, well, we can really never know whether Michael did it or not. In the last two episodes of The Staircase, filmed in 2016 as Michael Peterson's legal case finally drew to a close, you might have noticed the lawyers mentioning "strangulation" injuries discovered in Kathleen Peterson's autopsy. The defense challenged this version of events. endstream
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When the jury found Michael Peterson guilty of first-degree murder in October 2003, however, the offer was immediately withdrawn. But nothing could have prepared the family for what would happen shortly before Christmas in 2001. Ashlie Chandler. NetflixMichael Peterson while incarcerated at Nash Correctional Institution, 2003. 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. 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." Now, HBO Max has turned the story into a scripted drama, also called The Staircase and starring Toni Colette as Kathleen Peterson. According to Power, Privilege, and Justice, which produced a 2004 episode about the case titled Murder He Wrote, Peterson went upstairs to work on the computer while police were still on the murder scene. Clayton Peterson. The gripping HBO Max true crime series The Staircase follows the 2001 death of Kathleen Peterson. Another important element of Michael's case focused on blood spatter found at the scene. If its not clear, play it that its not clear, Firth said. 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. Kathleen died on December 9, 2001, so she never reached the end of the year to find out her fate. It does resist clarity. Nonetheless, all five of Michaels children believed in his innocence at first. On December 9, 2001, Kathleen Peterson was found unconscious at the bottom of a staircase in Durham, NC. Photos of her shaved head surfaced early on in the investigation, leading detectives (and later the prosecuting team) to believe she had been struck multiple times with a large, blunt object (the notorious blowpoke as referenced in the film.) She was an executive at Nortel, mother to Caitlyn, step-mother to Clayton and Todd (Mike's kids from a previous marriage . Michael also told the News & Observer that well-to-do friends from his and Kathleens napkin-ring and place-card days had deserted him. 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. We want it. Colin Firth plays her husband, Michael Peterson, the man who was accused of her murder. We know she was married to Michael Peterson. Over the years, there had been some tense moments over money and Michaels mayoral election bid, and the two frequently fought and made up. Gates is the host of Finding Your Roots on PBS. Not one shred of evidence. 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.. Pop-culture phenom. The legal age you can get married has just changed, Charles & Camilla break major royal tradition, Courteney Cox speaks on Harry magic mushroom claim, Harry 'adding at least one more chapter' to memoir, Dylan responds to being misgendered on Instagram. Caitlin Atwater, Katherines daughter from her first marriage, later switched sides. The occupants of the home are not known; however, as HBO Maxs series unfolds, more information may come to light. "They had a real story, which lasted until May 2017. Spoilers for The Staircase documentary and HBO Max series follow. The Shocking True Story Behind 'The Staircase', 35 Classic Photos from the Academy Awards, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Balius paid $640,000 for the house in 2004 and did renovations before placing it back on the market in 2007. Peterson is now serving a life term. 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. Instead of facing a new trial in 2017, Peterson instead opted for an Alford Plea for voluntary manslaughter. But, as the prosecution pointed out in the trial, Kathleen was actually the sole owner of the house and the car. And some believe that Kathleen Peterson died of simple, malicious negligence that Michael chose not to help Kathleen after an accidental fall. But what's the real story behind The Staircase? The Staircase left out one very important plot twist: The Owl Theory. Lived In Santa Ana CA, Irvine CA, Corona CA. Kathleen was dead by the time first responders got there. Michael Peterson went on trial for Kathleens murder in 2003 and was convicted in one of North Carolinas longest trials. Durham County Tax AdministrationThe exterior of the Peterson home in 2017. Kathleen and Michael Peterson famously lived in a sprawling 14-room mansion in the Forest Hills suburb of Durham, North Carolina. He claimed he found her after lingering outside for several hours after dinner, but the police soon arrested him, and he was found guilty of Kathleens murder in 2003. Lawyer Larry Pollard, who wasnt on the case but was a neighbor of Petersons, brought up this idea. So what were really looking at here is someone who allowed his wife to bleed out on the floor for hours before he called 911.. : The Shocking True Story Behind HBO Max's Latest Show. Irresistible deal. He won the right to a new trial after authorities discovered that expert prosecution witness Saami Shaibani had misrepresented his own professional credentials. Tide turns. Nonetheless, in the end, there was just too much evidence against Michael Peterson. 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. Kathleen M Peterson, 74. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. Nortel had forced her to lay off some well-liked employees, according to an AP account from May 22, 2002. Forensic expert Dr. Henry Lee testified that the blood found at the scene was indicative of a fall. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Kathleen Winell Peterson, 73. Red neurons were present in her brain when the autopsy was done. She possessed a wide range of skills. Heres how Raleigh ranks among US metros for first-time homebuyers, 74,000 & growing: Some NC police departments stockpile guns rather than release them. Kathleen Peterson's autopsy showed. Prosecutors would later contend that Kathleen stumbled upon the trove of photos and messages while using Michaels computer she had left her own machine at work that day. You'd think this would have been a major point of evidence, but for some reason, up until then it had never been referenced in the docuseries. 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. Per Lawrence Journal-World, the Petersons had accrued "credit card debt of $143,000" at the time of Kathleen's death. Michael sold the house he shared with Kathleen in 2004, and a subsequent owner re-sold the property for $1.6 million in 2020. 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. The site of Kathleen Peterson's 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. Evidence collected from 1810 Cedar Street included Peterson's computers, pieces of wood from the stairwell, swabs of . Jessica O'Connor is a public historian focusing on Deep South Black History with degrees from Winston-Salem State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Sociological errands. Although skeptical, the TV psychologist gave Michael a chance to defend himself. In 2017, the then-73-year-old avoided a second trial by taking an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter in return for six years of house arrest. They noted that Michael was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. But after eight years in prison, he was released after it was found that a key witness had given misleading testimony. Homicide detectives were called to the Peterson residence. 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. The value of Kathleens Nortel stock had dropped from more than $2 million at its peak to $50,000. Peterson was charged with her murder, convicted at. She was lying in a dried pool of her own blood. Author, freelance writer and self-employed recruiter. Kathleen is an acclaimed Contact Center consultant and recognized industry visionary. 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. By the way, WRALs story also says Mr. Fury attended grad school at Duke. It came out that a leg injury he said happened during battle actually came from a car accident. Of course, none of this absolutely *proves* it was a barred owl that inflicted the initial wounds on Kathleen Peterson. This, however, barely featured in The Staircase's depiction of the trial. Kathleen had also had a $1.4 million life insurance policy, which would be paid to Michael in the event of her death. And it speaks to our desire for clarity. But there was no 9,429-square-foot palatial home with a redwood-paneled authors study for Michael to return to. Some psychic. You can read more in depth information about the owl theory here. During one of Michael Petersons appeals, an unusual theory emerged about Kathleen Petersons death: she was not murdered at all, but died after being attacked by a barred owl. Then, yet another bombshell came up. The prosecution put forth several possible motives for Kathleen's murder. August 8, 2008 What? 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. Within days, the police arrested Michael Peterson, and prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder. Peterson entered an Alford plea while awaiting a new trial in 2017, allowing him to plead guilty to manslaughter while maintaining his innocence. The man who claims hes a psychic and goes by the name Biond Fury has reportedly purchased the Durham home that sadly served as the murder site for Nortel executive Kathleen Peterson. The accident scene was a bloodbath inconsistent with a tumble down the stairs. Before Michael met Kathleen in 1986, he was living in Germany with his first wife, Patricia Sue, and their two sons. The ending of Netflix's Triptych explained, Khlo Kardashian is living her best life on TikTok, Period-proof activewear to stop the leakage fear. Michael was sentenced to 64 to 86 months in prison; having already spent 89 months in prison, he was deemed a free man. Totally compatible with one another.". Their marriage, a second for both, seemed happy. This, they said, led to a heated argument that ended with Michael pushing Kathleen down the stairs. actions. "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. By Amy . Resides in Orange, CA. Also known as K Peterson. Michael Peterson while incarcerated at Nash Correctional Institution, 2003. Others theorize that one of Michael Petersons sons may have killed her out of jealousy or that a tree branch may have been the actual murder weapon. 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. It has been theorized that a Barred Owl attacked Kathleen. He made a futile attempt to get rid of blood evidence and then called 911, the prosecution contended. Another motive suggested by the prosecution hinged on the Peterson family's tenuous financial situation. "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. Ever since Kathleen Peterson was found at the bottom of a staircase in 2001, her mysterious death has been the subject of much media attention. Michael continues to live in Durham, North Carolina, having moved into a two-bedroom condo, via The Independent. 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. On 8th December 2000, Michael Peterson called emergency services saying that his wife Kathleen Peterson had fallen down the stairs. The Staircase. Lived In Hayward WI, Pine City NY, Pine City PA, Saginaw MI. The judge resentenced him to 86 months, and Michael Peterson was released with time served. And one intriguing theory involving an owl suggests that it may not have been a murder at all. All was calm until the evening of Dec. 9, 2001, when Kathleen died. We've received your submission. 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. Although Michael Peterson reported Kathleen's death as an accident to the 911 dispatcher, when paramedics and police officers arrived at the Petersons' home, they were . Follow More from Medium andrew costa in Human Parts Today I. Now her grave is a destination. According to the BBC's Beyond Reasonable Doubt podcast, which also investigates the crime, Kathleen was a big earner making a six-figure salary. Although testing would later confirm that Kathleen had some alcohol in her system, it was nowhere near the stagger and face-plant level. his wifes accidental fall down the stairs, used for the construction of the original. Licensed Professional Counselor providing individual mental health therapy to adolescents and adults. It was ruled in 2004 that Atwater and her biological father would be awarded the $1.5 million life insurance policy in Kathleen's name, which was initially would go to Peterson, WRAL reports.. 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. Kathleen Peterson later succumbed to her. Kathleen Hunt grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was so bright that she took advanced Latin classes at a nearby college while still in McCaskey High School, according to the Lancaster New Era newspaper. While Michael was a novelist and newspaper columnist of varying success, Kathleen was an executive at communications firm Nortel, earning around $150,000 per year, via NBC News. She confronted Michael about cheating on her, there was an argument, and he beat her to death with a fireplace implement, they alleged. She had a crushed hyoid bone, which is evidence of strangulation. Caitlin then moved in with her mum Kathleen and her new husband Michael Peterson after. In Michael Peterson's murder trial, the prosecution's case focussed on money - or the couple's lack of it - as a motive. Kathleen Peterson may refer to: Kathleen Peterson (murder victim) Kathleen Peterson (artist) This page was last edited on 9 August 2022, at 12:05 (UTC). Cathleen Peterson-Layne, PhD, MD Empowering Leaders and Teams to lead with greater clarity and courageous decision-making. He'd previously spent time behind bars for reportedly placing a bomb in a Duke University office, according . According to Esquire, the couple moved in together three years later. Once the strange coincidence of the unusual death was discovered, Elizabeth's body was exhumed as part of Michael's trial, and an autopsy concluded that she had died as the result of a "homicidal assault," and not a stroke, per The News & Observer. 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. She was a successful student and was the first woman admitted to Duke University's School of Engineering in 1967, where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees and met her first husband, physicist Fred Atwater. A video accompanying the in-depth News & Observer piece gave Michael an opportunity to talk about his everyday post-prison life. The property was used as the Commanders home and was featured prominently. They've [laid] off 45,000 people," he wrote. She had been drinking and was wearing floppy shoes, so she probably tripped, Michael told police. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Son uncooperative. Kathleen Peterson. 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. Kathleen has one biological daughter, Caitlin Atwater, from her first marriage. Instead, Michael laid the blame for his murder conviction on humans. 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. We know she had one biological daughter, Caitlin Atwater, two adopted daughters, Martha and Margaret Ratliff, and two step-sons,. When paramedics arrived to render aid, Michael's son Todd was already . Within this hair, microscopic feathers were found along with wood splinters and cedar needles. Kathleen Peterson. Michael Peterson was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder on December 20, 2001, via WRAL.com. 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. Peterson subsequently ended up raising Ratliffs young daughters, alongside his own two sons, as Ratliffs husband had died previously. Kathleen Peterson. 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.. Kathleen worried that she would lose her own $145,000-a-year job amid the downsizing, the AP reported. Fk2 0yl0S] n[IEz T
She was the first woman accepted into Duke Universitys school of engineering. However, with Michael's Alford plea, the case has legally been put to rest. 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. Her life insurance would have ensured Peterson would be able to maintain his public persona. A Forensic Files Murder That Went on a Binge(A Novel Idea, Forensic Files), Note: You can listen to this post as a podcast. Includes Address (6) Phone (4) Email (4) See Results. At the time of Peterson making the 911 call, he had claimed that Kathleen was "still breathing" however, when the authorities arrived, Kathleen had passed away from her injuries. Horrifying discovery. The defendant had hired criminal defense attorney David Rudolf two days prior, following extensive searches and seizures taking place at his home. Best Match Powered by Whitepages Premium AGE 70s Kathleen K Peterson Nappanee, IN Aliases Peterson Kathleen View Full Report Addresses A forensic analysis showed that she had been lying there alive for hours before Michael called 911 around 2:40 a.m. 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. Cosmopolitan, Part of the Hearst UK Fashion & Beauty Network. 2 popular chain restaurants get B grades: Triangle sanitation scores (Feb. 28), Repealing North Carolinas pistol permit law makes everyone less safe | Opinion. Kathleen Peterson in Indiana We found 32 records for Kathleen Peterson in Nappanee, Columbus and 21 other cities in Indiana. He needed her money to survive the way he wanted to survive," she said. Insurance jackpot. 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. In addition to the salacious activity, investigators discovered evidence of financial woes in the family. At 2:30am, Michael Peterson called 911. She graduated first in her class. Shortly afterwards, Peterson, then still Kathleen Atwater, moved to Durham, North Carolina, and met Michael Peterson, a local novelist and occasional columnist for The Durham Herald-Sun who had served in Vietnam with the Marines. Netflix. Per ABC News, "From the beginning Peterson maintained that Kathleen had simply slipped on the stairs in a tragic accident after drinking wine and taking valium." 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