Stacy Peterson Still Missing
Missing Woman's Husband, Drew, Claims He's "Prepared for Anything"
New information in the death of Drew Peterson's third wife leads to further suspicions in the disappearance of fourth wife, Stacy, who mysteriously disappeared in Oct 07.
Using words that Peterson has stuck with since the disappearance of 23 year-old mother, Stacy Peterson on October 28, 2007, the former Illinois police sergeant told the Today Show's, Matt Lauer that he had nothing to do with his wife's disappearance or the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, according to TODAYShow.com contributor, Mike Celizic.
Suspicions first arose that Peterson had murdered his third wife shortly after his fourth wife disappeared. Illinois State Police had named him as the prime suspect in Stacy's mysterious disappearance on Nov. 9. And in a NBC "Dateline" episode, Peterson was directly asked by the correspondent if he had killed his wife, Stacy or his former wife, Kathy Savio. Peterson denied killing ether of them.
In the Dateline episode, "Deadly Suspicion" that aired Friday, December 21, 2007, Peterson called the death of one wife and disappearance of another bad luck. At the time, he said that Stacy ran off to the Bahamas with another man. When speaking last month with Lauer, Peterson maintained that Stacy had run off.
Third Wife's Death Now A Homicide
The week before the Today Show interview, authorities ruled Kathleen Savio's death a homicide, Celizic said. Authorities had previously believed the 2004 death was an accident.
However, Drew Peterson said he and his attorney Joel Brodsky, view the new ruling (following a new autopsy), as suspicious. Though they admit that it is possible Peterson will be named a suspect in Savio's murder, they believe that the case should be more closely scrutinized.
Yet, since the exhumation of Savio's remains on November 16, 2007, two new autopsies have been performed, one by authorities, the other by New York's well-known forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden at the family's request. The results concluded after each autopsy was that Savio's death was a homicide.
Peterson Stands Firm
In Lauer's exclusive interview with him on February 28, 2008, Drew Peterson continued his position that he is innocent of any wrong doing in connection with the disappearance of his wife, Stacy Peterson, or the murder of Savio.
Peterson further stated that he is “mentally prepared to be charged and put on trial in connection with one or both cases.” When referring to his statement to Lauer that he was “prepared for anything,” Peterson stopped short of answering Lauer's question about whether that meant he was prepared for the possibility of life in prison. Instead, he told Lauer that his “main concern” was his children. "Psychologically and physically, if my children are OK, I’m OK," according to Celizic.
Abusive History
Both Savio and Stacy Peterson had told family members that they feared for their lives, and both had accused him of being abusive and controlling, which Peterson admits to. He believes that more people in America should control their families, Celizic said. The article, Stacy Peterson: A Pattern of Abuse, further describes Drew's abusive nature.
