Murder Charge for Drew Peterson in 3rd Wife's Death; 4th Wife Is Still Missing
In an Illinois case that has attracted international attention, a former police sergeant in suburban Chicago has reportedly just been indicted for murder in the death of his third wife.
Drew Peterson, 55, was arrested today after being indicted in the 2004 death of 40-year-old Kathleen Savio, according to breaking news from the Associated Press and the Chicago Tribune.
More details are expected later this evening from Will County authorities.
Unresolved questions about the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, in 2007 prompted renewed investigation into Savio’s death. Her body was found in a bathtub in her home in suburban Bolingbrook, Ill., and her death was determined at the time to be an accidental drowning. She and Drew Peterson had recently divorced and were still finalizing a property settlement.
Drew Peterson has said that his then-23-year-old fourth wife apparently chose to disappear, perhaps with another man, and has denied any wrongdoing in either case. (In a subsequent television appearance on May 8, Peterson’s lawyer, Joel Brodsky, described the murder case against Peterson as “at best a weak, circumstantial case,” reports the Plainfield Sun.)
Family members of Savio have reportedly complained that their suspicions of a possible role by Peterson in her death were initially ignored by authorities. They filed a wrongful death case against Drew Peterson last month seeking tort damages of more than $300,000.
Earlier related coverage:
Chicago Tribune (Nov. 2007): “Drew Peterson case: Bright lights, big hassle for neighbors”
Chicago Tribune (March 2009): “Attorney for Drew Peterson dismisses reports that Peterson enlisted stepbrother to help dispose of his wife’s body”
The Tribune also provides a page of links to Drew Peterson coverage.
Updated on May 8 to include information from subsequent Plainfield Sun article.
