Currently, he resides in Durham, North Carolina but has since sold the house where Kathleen died. However, they eventually joined their father in Durham, North. Kathleen was the first woman to attend Duke University's School of Engineering and throughout her marriage to Michael Peterson, she worked for Nortel, a telecommunications company. Instead, he submitted an Alford Plea for manslaughter. Her secluded life and career, Who are Gradey Dicks parents? Where are the real-life people of 'The Staircase' now? Behind the Staircase and Beyond the Staircase were self-published in 2019. The True Story Behind Netflix's New Docuseries Bad Vegan, The Tinder Swindler True Story: Everything to Know About Netflix's New True Crime Documentary, Anna Delvey, German Con Artist Who Scammed N.Y.C. "Michael Peterson, you are pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter," Zamperini said, according to local news sources. He had been living with his first wife, Patricia, (although divorced) for the past two years until her death from a heart attack, his son Clayton told North Carolina's News & Observer in 2021. Hes in a ground floor apartment with no stairs that was really important accommodation.. They were companions, Clayton told News & Observer. The topic is also at the center of Rudolfs 2022 book, American Injustice: Inside Stories from the Underbelly of the Criminal Justice System. "But we parted ways because he had to go do an 'Indiana Jones.'" Elizabeth Ratliffs death had a huge impact on her youngest daughter, Martha (Odessa Young). I'm too old. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The writer produced a memoir in 2009 called Behind the Staircase, and a sequel Beyond the Staircase. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Michael was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1943 before moving to work for the U.S. Department of Defense after college. Throughout Michael Peterson's murder trial, his ex-wife was not only his emotional support but also his financial, and until her death, she believed him to be innocent. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Despite the couple eventually marrying, Rudolf insists their relationship had no bearing on her coverage nor granted her any special privileges. Hopewell Junction, NY 12533-5516 Parris Island, SC 29905-1070 Pleasant Valley, NY 12569-7731 Because of all of the twists and turns that developed in the case, from the death itself having multiple theories, to the news of another woman from petersons past dying in a similar fashion, The Staircase originally premiered on TV in 2004 with eight episodes detailing the case and trial. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Played by Vincent Vermignon, de Lestrade was already an Academy Award winner when he got involved with Michael Petersons case. Today, Michael Peterson, 78, is still alive and remains a free man. But perhaps most disconcerting is the fact that the crime scene, complete with blood-splattered walls and floors, was left intact for years while Peterson and his children continued to live in the home! While many elements have been updated, the layout is the same, making it very recognizable from The Staircase.. He still lives in Durham, though in a ground-floor apartment, which David Rudolf explained to Oxygen has no stairs that was a really important accommodation. Ill say! Since his release, Michael has avoided staying in houses with staircases, which is perhaps a good idea. I can't live in Paris. When investigators looked into her death though, they suspected foul play due to the shocking amount of blood on the scene, and that the only witness was her husband. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. Portrayed by Olivia DeJonge, Caitlin was Kathleens only biological child and the sole child from the Peterson household to believe that Michael was responsible for her mothers death. (Crime obviously doesnt pay!) who was found dead at the bottom of their staircase in their Durham, North Carolina home on December 9, 2001 as well as the aftermath. They did, however, use her death as an example of an incident that could help him "fake" Kathleen's accident. HBO is yet to announce a release date forThe Staircase. Now 79 years old, he lives alone in a ground-floor . Curiously, though he was living with Kathleen at the time, his first wife, Patty, from whom he was separated, co-signed for the loan. Even after his prison release, Peterson has maintained his innocence and lives in Durham, North Carolina. HBO Max's latest true crime series, The Staircase, chronicles the lengthy saga of Michael Peterson, an author who was convicted of killing his wife, Kathleen, who died on the stairs in their Durham, N.C. home in December 2001. Peterson's sons have always stood by their father, who has maintained his . Together they had two sons Clayton and Todd Peterson before removing to Germany. And so, instead of watching some fictionalized account, we see the real thing happening. After breaking up with Sophie (Juliette Binoche) and refusing to move to Paris, Michael went to live with his ex-wife Patty (Trini Alvarado). However, the same type of plea, contrary to the assertion Peterson has made in his books about his experience following his release, is not synonymous with his conviction being overturned. Is Riley Keough Singing in Daisy Jones & The Six? "He's living in Durham I'm not sure why he's living in Durham, but he is," Rudolf told the audience at CrimeCon. Since his release from prison on bond in 2011 and his official release in 2017, Peterson has returned to his passion for. That being said, it's unclear how Peterson is now making a living or if he has some kind of income. "He is innocent of any involvement in Kathleen's death," she insisted to The News & Recordin 2014. While an Alford plea is not an admission of guilt, it signifies that the defendant agrees there is enough evidence in any given case to result in a guilty verdict. Todd and Clayton are Michael Peterson's sons from his first marriage to Patricia Peterson. Prosecutor Says, Scott Peterson Will Be Re-Sentenced to Life in Prison After Death Sentence Was Overturned in 2020, Man Who Killed Meredith Kercher, Amanda Knox's Roommate in Italy, Is Freed from Prison, the limited series is very much a true story, the jury found Michael guilty of Kathleen's murder. "I didn't know if Michael Peterson's presentation of himself was going to be helpful to me in terms of finding out what lies underneath, and I found it kept moving," Firth explained to The Wrap. Still, in the same year, the North Carolina Human Resources Commission ruled that he should have merely been demoted from his position and that the SBI owed him 34 months of wages. Since the release of the docuseries three final episodes, he has directed two fictional series in France. Where Is Cary Stayner from Hulu's Captive Audience Now? In 2001, Kathleen was found unconscious at the bottom of their staircase in Durham, North Carolina and was pronounced dead. According to Detective Art Holland of Durham police, Kathleen was "splayed out on the floor, her head resting on the landing of a back staircase" details that sparked suspicion due to the awfully close similarities to Elizabeth's death in 1985. 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The production, deemed largely forgettable by critics, made extensive use of both the interior and exterior of the property. After breaking up with Sophie ( Juliette Binoche) and refusing to move to Paris, Michael went to live with his ex-wife Patty ( Trini Alvarado ). The newlyweds were captured gloriously posing for photos on the homes staircase. In July 2020,. Duane Deaver, a blood splatter expert, had testified that the evidence pointed towards murder. At a time when true crime is easily one of the more popular TV genres, Netflix, home of the ever popular Making a Murderer series, is now set to premiere The Staircase on June 8. The prosecution at Michael Peterson's trial alleged Kathleen had found thousands of pornographic images of men on his computer and several emails between him and a man named Brad, where they discussed sex in detail. Despite now believing his father to be guilty, he still considers The Staircase to be nonsense.. In . She also campaigned for the Durham County District Court, to no avail. Peterson retreated to Durham, North Carolina, after his release. Michaels wife was found lying in a pool of blood at the bottom of a staircase in the couples residence. At the time, authorities concluded that Elizabeth fell down the stairs after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. On December 9, 2001, Michael Peterson's wife, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of their staircase with severe injuries. We all know that these characters have names of living people, but its very carefully calibrated to tell the story in a certain way. Before that, she ran twice for District Attorney, in 2006 and 2008, but never got the job. Skyler Caruso is the Editorial Assistant of PEOPLE Digital. All Rights Reserved. No, not that staircase. In an odd twist, before the Petersons called the place home, it was featured in the 1990 dystopian drama The Handmaids Tale, based upon Margaret Atwoods 1985 novel of the same name. The last person to see her alive was Michael Peterson. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Pattys death, however, is surrounded by its fair share of mystery and controversy. Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. Michael and Patricia parted after she died due to a massive heart attack in July 2021. What happened to Olivia Walton on The Waltons? RELATED: 'The Staircase' Ending Explained: What Is the Truth? His plans, he said, are to spend the time he lost behind bars with family and write a new book. To recap the case, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of her . Stalk It: Michael Petersons former house, featured in The Staircase, is located at 1810 Cedar Street in Durham, North Carolina. Despite being found guilty of murder, in 2011, Peterson was granted another trial which was set to take place in 2017. He stated Kathleen Peterson was aware of his interest in men and his first wife, Patricia Sue, was also there to support Michael Peterson's bisexuality claims. Speaking to The News & Observer, Michael Peterson shared their relationship came to an end because he did not want to live in Paris. The staircase where Kathleen Peterson was found dead on Dec. 8, 2001 is seen above Credit: Netflix. Since his release from prison on bond in 2011 and his official release in 2017, Peterson has returned to his passion for writing, publishing two books about his trial, his life behind bars, and the taste of freedom. The film, which examines the ethics of documentary filmmaking, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. But part of the central pull of "The Staircase," aside from its various twists and turns (among which included the discovery that a close family friend of Peterson's had died under similar circumstances, also involving a staircase, nearly 17 years prior to Kathleen's death), was the central figure to the story. "That we dont cheat or invent evidence, that we actually care about truth and representing people as well as they can be represented. Michael opted out of the trial before it was due to begin in 2017. Kathleen was apparently bludgeoned to death after a medical examiner noticed several lacerations on her scalp. Warning: This article contains spoilers about The Staircase. The listing marketed the residence as having been featured in a Netflix documentary. I might have left that bit out, but what do I know because the place sold the following month for $1.6 million. Along with the aforementioned amenities, the 19-room home also boasts a 3.4-acre lot with a slate patio, an outdoor fireplace, and a large pool (though the latter was, for whatever reason, drained in the MLS pictures). ", He told the News & Observer: "They were companions. Most eerie of all, though, is the fact that a segment took place on the infamous back staircase! They settled in 2007 for $25 million, but it is possible that Michael never paid the full amount considering how much strain the trial put on his finances. Now Judge Clifton Newman will hand down the sentencing in the double murder trial Friday, March 3, at 9:30 a.m. Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison in his conviction on the murder count . Since Michael cant profit from his crime, the proceeds from the books sales go to charity. Above (L-R): The real Todd Peterson, Martha Ratliff, Margaret (Ratliff) Blakemore, and Clayton Peterson. Michael Peterson has mostly stayed out of the spotlight. ViaThe Independent, The Associated Press reported Michael moved into a two-bed condo in 2018. The woman who The Staircase viewers may be mistaking for Peterson's new wife could well be Sophie Brunet (played by Juliette Binoche), an . Ratliff died at the age of 43. They wed in 1968 and had two boys together, Todd and Clayton. We are not sleazy, we are not drunks, we dont sell our clients out," Rudolf said. Investigators swiftly homed in on Michael as a prime suspect as he was alone in the premises with Kathleen when she passed away. Peterson was placed on house arrest in 2011 before his retrial, then officially freed in 2017 after submitting an Alford Plea (he admitted the evidence against him could prove he was guilty, while proclaiming his innocence). The docu-series follows Petersons trial for the murder of his wife Kathleen. Lestrades documentary played an important part in the Peterson affair and served as the main inspiration for Campos show. Michael Peterson had been forced to sell his assets, including the family home, to pay legal fees, leaving him broke. The case that dominated such a large part of his life still haunted him, however. Who Was Mallory Beach in 'Murdaugh Murders'? The couple shared two sons, Clayton Peterson and Todd Peterson. Juliette Binoche will star as Sophie Brunet, the editor of The Staircase documentary. He was released in 2011 on bond ahead of a retrial but in February 2017, Peterson submitted an Alford plea to the reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter, meaning he admitted the evidence against him would likely lead to a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt but the did not have to admit he committed the crime. Elisa Guimares is a feature writer at Collider. Ever since Patty died, Todd changed his mind about his dads involvement in Kathleens death, and now believes to have murdered not only his stepmom but also Elizabeth Ratliff. Defense Attorney David Rudolf knows that the public is divided on whether. And according to .css-16acfp5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#d2232e;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-16acfp5:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:yellow;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}Newsweek, Peterson entered a relationship with an editor on the 2004 documentary The Staircase, and the two dated from 2011 to 2017. Despite Michael Peterson's murder conviction in 2003, his story was far from over. Peterson had a different rationale, Rudolf said. He admitted it made him question if there is actually no "fixed core to characters." Curiously, though he was living with Kathleen at the time, his first wife, Patty, from whom he was separated, co-signed for the loan. The jury found the evidence sufficient to convict Michael of first-degree murder and sent him to prison for life. A lawyer himself, Bill was the one that suggested Rudolf as a defense attorney and took care of most of the Petersons legal matters. In 2003, the North Carolina medical examiner reexamined Ratliffs remains after they were exhumed in Texas. So beloved was the residence that Kathleen and Michael decided to tie the knot there, surrounded by family and friends, on June 21, 1997. Margaret and Michael are both featured in the movie as interviewees. With The Staircase, de Lestrade embarked on a project that took him 15 years to finish, with the final episodes of the documentary coming out only in 2018. Despite her words and the fact that Peterson will be considered a convicted felon for the rest of his life, he apparently plans on trying to live out the rest of his years at home in North Carolina. According to a June report by The Sun, Peterson continues to live in Durham and has self-published two books about his life during the murder trial and his life following his release from. However, Colin Firth has won over critics, with the show earning a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes. In 2017, Michael submitted an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter. He published his first memoir, Behind the Staircase, in 2019 and went on to write a follow-up, which was released that same year, titled Beyond the Staircase. Though the rear stairway isnt featured in MLS images, the entrance to it is. He also stated that he had worked on 500 bloodstain cases. In 2001, Kathleen died on the staircase of the Peterson home in Durham, North Carolina. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she said that Lestrades The Staircase cost her many job opportunities in the documentary world, including at Netflix. He concluded her death to be a homicide caused by blunt force trauma. Three episodes in, the series-runners drop a major bombshell: Peterson was the last person to see another woman who was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in Germany in 1985. The story behind The Staircase. The dried blood atop her head was a clue that she'd been there for a while, and since Michael was the only person in the house at that time, he was the only suspect. 'The Staircase' Ending Explained: What Is the Truth? Despite not being an official member of the defense team, Bill Peterson (Tim Guinee) played a huge role in getting his brother Michael out of jail. Is 'Daisy Jones & The Six' Based on a True Story? Then I went and realized, no, I can't. Peterson's second son, Todd (who was adamant that his step-mother's death was alcohol-related), currently lives in Tennessee. Colin Firthwill play the main subject Michael Peterson; the role was originally slated to be played by Harrison Ford. Since Deavers testimony was what eventually led the jury to agree upon Michaels guilt, the writer was released in 2011 under a $300,000 bail and placed under house arrest. Due to the impact of Duanes testimony, the court ordered a retrial for Peterson. Kathleen Peterson, ne Hunt, and Michael Peterson became acquainted when Kathleen Peterson moved to Durham and became one of Michael's neighbors. ", one of the longest of its kind in North Carolina history, is not synonymous with his conviction being overturned, losing the civil suit his step-daughter, Caitlin Atwater, brought against him, Michael Peterson's first wife, Patricia "Patty" Peterson, forced to sell his assets, including the family home. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Peterson, who shared a fortune with his wife Kathleen Peterson up until the time of her death, referred to himself as "indigent" during the later episodes of "The Staircase," which were filmed following his 2011 release from prison. Brad even testified at Michael Peterson's trial and under cross-examination, stated Michael Peterson spoke about Kathleen Peterson, calling her a "dynamite wife," reported the NZ Herald. Before the new trial commenced, Peter submitted an Alford plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter and was set free as hed already served time for murder. (The house was on the market for $1.9 million, according to ABC 11 News.). Michael Peterson murder trial in July 2003. The company had also begun massive layoffs at the same time and Kathleens job security seemed tenuous at best. Though the majority of the time it was captured by de Lestrades cameras, it was open for all to see with the family regularly enjoying meals together, laughing over cocktails and pasta, just a few literal steps away! In the film, made long before the popular Hulu series, the Colonial masks as the supposed Republic of Gilead residence belonging to Commander Fred (Robert Duvall) and his wife, Serena Joy (Faye Dunaway), where handmaid Kate (Natasha Richardson) is placed. As The News & Observer noted, the former columnist's Alford plea was distinctly tied to the charge of manslaughter, which means that Peterson asserted his opinion of his innocence while simultaneously accepting charges (via Metro). Created by Antonio Campos, the eight-episode long miniseries stars Colin Firth and Toni Collette as novelist Michael Peterson and his second wife, Nortel executive, Kathleen Peterson. Police also uncovered transactional emails the supposedly devoted husband had exchanged with a male prostitute in the months before the killing, as well as a plethora of pornographic images on his computer. Where does Michael Peterson currently live? Colin Firth plays the writer in a new HBO Max limited series. Now, he resides in a 1,200-square-foot, two bedroom condo and. So, where is Michael Peterson now? It soon came to light that not only had Deaver exaggerated the number of cases in which he had worked, he also had no proper forensics training and was guilty of lab misconduct. Three episodes in, the series-runners drop a major bombshell: Peterson was the last person to see another woman who was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in Germany in 1985. In 2019, he toldDr. Philthat Elizabeth fell down the stairs after suffering a stroke. Instead of the trial actually happening, a judge reduced the novelists charges to manslaughter thanks to entering an Alford plea, which essentially states that while he doesn't admit to the crime, he does admit that the state as sufficient evidence to charge him. After Kathleen passed, the young woman developed a severe form of anxiety, aggravated by Michaels long and public battle against the justice system. Defense attorney David Rudolf talked toOxygenabout Michaels current living situation: He is living in Durham Im not sure why hes living in Durham, but he is. Speaking to the French publication L'Express, de Lestrade shared: "This is one of the incredible things that happened during those 15 years. They married in 1987 and together they raised a large, blended family with children from previous relationships. Played by Sophie Turner, Margaret is the eldest daughter of Air Force captain George Ratliff and his wife, Elizabeth, who lived next door to Michael and Patty Peterson in Germany. Originally built in 1940 by architect George Watts Carr, Sr. for wealthy Durham businessman John Adams Buchanan, the lavish five-bedroom, six-bathroom property had plenty of room for Kathleen and Michaels large blended family, which included Michaels two sons with his first wife and his two adopted daughters, as well as Kathleens daughter from a previous marriage.