Thursday, December 16, 2010

'Tell Everyone we want to Bring Stacy Home For Christmas'

by Susan Murphy-Milano

About two months before the disappearance of Stacy Peterson, wife of former Bolingrook, Illinois, Police Sergeant, Drew Peterson, Stacy met with Pastor Neil Schori and had a conversation that likely will play out for the world when Pastor Schori testifies at Kathleen Savio’s murder trial sometime next year. Kathleen Savio, Drew’s third wife, as you remember, was found dead in a dry bathtub and probably would never have been heard from again had Stacy not gone missing. Drew Peterson is now on trial for her murder.

What is interesting is not so much the meeting in August 2007 with Pastor Schori, but when Stacy left to go home, Pastor Schori’s private line rang and on the other end was Drew Peterson. He called just to say hello and said he would call back to meet with the pastor at a later date in the near future. What Drew Peterson was really doing was saying, “Look, buddy, I know you just met with my wife, and I want you to know that I know,” therefore placing the pastor on notice that he, too, was being watched.

It was then, when Stacy Peterson returned home, that she was likely questioned by Drew as to why she met with him and what was said. Stacy likely did not flinch when he interrogated her, and although she sensed an impending danger, a smell change, as I call it, temporarily she disarmed him. She begins formulating a plan to end the marriage, feeling secure enough that her officer husband would not harm one hair on her head as it would sound the alarm connecting him to Kathleen’s murder should anything happen to her.

From the time the call was placed by Peterson to the pastor, he begins to show us his pattern of conduct leading up to, in my opinion, the murder of Stacy Peterson. The only way he would know for certain if Stacy was at the church that day is because he was stalking her. In the circus-like atmosphere the moment Stacy Peterson was reported missing, the focus was on finding her. No one ever remotely considered or looked at Drew Peterson’s pattern of conduct prior to October 28, 2007.

The documented patterns of his behavior go as far back to when he was married to Kathleen Savio, found dead in the former marital home in March 2004, and earlier, as letters and police reports written during their marriage document abuse toward her.

Peterson’s pattern of conduct is then served on a golden platter by the national media. His words during interviews are from a man who believes he has gotten away with murder, a second time. He tells us all, at the early stages of his new found celebrity in the fall of 2007, “she is where she wants to be.” No, what Peterson is telling us is that Stacy knew better and yet defied him anyway. For that he made her pay with her life. He is telling the world this was her choice.

Peterson’s actions reach back to the crime scene in 2004 of Kathleen Savio. He was familiar with his former wife’s schedule and comfortable enough with the layout of his former home to carry out a murder. In my opinion, it was the perfect crime to stage in the upstairs bathroom on a weekend when he had visitation with the kids; they were not in the house. Stacy, and who else was there? Did his oldest son, Steven, on Saturday, February 28, happen to stop by that weekend to enjoy a warm, fuzzy family night of pizza and movie? Did he have an alibi for that night?

Once fellow officers responded to the 911 call to the home of Kathleen Savio, did any of them wonder why Peterson didn’t just radio the station? He was still on duty and in uniform. How many of the officers responding to the call answered to Peterson because he was their supervisor? Drew Peterson’s pattern of conduct is important during the murder investigation. The crime scene is his stage at which he shines in being the master at manipulation and deception among those he works with everyday, fighting crime. Peterson gets away with the crime and moves forward with his life.

We don’t know Peterson’s pattern of conduct in the days leading up to Stacy’s disappearance and alleged murder. We do know that Stacy had confided in a neighbor about Drew moving out of the home. She set up an appointment with Harry Smith for a divorce consultation. She made a statement to her sister, considered hearsay, “if something happens to me it’s no accident;” the words Kathleen would write when she petitioned the court for an order of protection.

Peterson’s pattern of conduct and actions are important as it relates to Stacy Peterson. She can be placed in the marital home the morning she disappeared, so we know she and Peterson were in that house. From Sunday morning until the following day, there is a window of opportunity for Peterson, and when the coast is clear, in my opinion, he takes her out of the house. How far is he really going to drive? Does he go to one of two camp grounds with which he is familiar within an hour’s drive of the house? There are not a lot of traffic lights out that way so the route would likely be an easy drive. What about near his childhood home? Wherever he drove that night it was a safe and familiar area, known only to Peterson, a place he could go and not raise any suspicion, no different than when he murdered Kathleen in a home he once lived in.

Now, with another holiday season, the fourth to be exact, Stacy Peterson is still missing. She is missing from her children’s lives and the family and friends who continue to pray that she will be found and brought home.

Yesterday, I spoke with those whom knew and loved Stacy. In the background of my mind, I could hear The Grinch Who Stole Christmas playing. They proceeded to tell me, “No one man, including the Grinch, can destroy the hope and love that everyone has for those children! What Christmas does, it brings hope to those in need that no man, not even Drew, can put out.”

They went on to say, “The Grinch at least saw the errors of his ways. Even the Grinch has something on Drew and that is sad.”
"Holding on to hope, the light burns ever brighter that leads us to the truth and to Stacy because it is powered by prayer, love and the hope that Christmas brings.”

Tell everyone we want to Bring Stacy Home for Christmas!”

On Monday, December 20, at 10 p.m. EST, A&E Biography is presenting a show about Drew Peterson. I was interviewed extensively, speaking out from my own point of view on the man I’ve come to know through many sources. My only wish is that I spoke in truth, and for the two wives of Drew Peterson who can no longer speak for themselves.

3 comments:

Delilah said...

Throughout all the media hoopla surrounding (and created by) Drew Peterson, the public often forgets that there are 4 children involved. It's important to remember them.

The family continues to reach out to them with hope and love. Someday they will know it and feel it.

Aron Seeker said...

Thank you for sharing this, Susan. Stacy's family must find such comfort in your continued pursuit of truth for her. Not being very familiar with the entire Drew Peterson horror show, I went searching for some background. I found this article, dated December 13, 2007, in The Chicago Tribune: (I'm putting it here in its entirety as its not very long but it IS very telling. Link follows article).

"December 13, 2007--Former police officer Drew Peterson has acknowledged that a gun did go off in his home a few months before his wife disappeared, but says it was his wife who pulled the trigger.

"Peterson tells the Chicago Tribune for a story today that his wife accidentally fired the gun he'd bought her as a gift.

"The story conflicts with an account from Peterson's sister-in-law, who claims Peterson fired a gun, with the bullet almost striking his wife.

Stacy Peterson vanished in late October and her husband has been named a suspect in her disappearance. Investigators say they believe the case may be a homicide.

"Stacy's Peterson's family spokeswoman says Drew Peterson's explanation is 'idiotic.'"

Family Spokeswoman calls Drew's explanation "idiotic"

So, Drew claims he bought Stacy a gun. He claims she fired it in their house, accidentally. Why would she have been handling a loaded gun in the family home, where there were young children? It is so classic, him blaming the victim and coming up with an "explanation" that paints her in a poor light. Nice for him that she was no longer there to refute his "story."

Apparently she shared with her sister-in-law that her husband fired a gun towards her, so we have Stacy's voice through a woman who was close to her. It sounds like it was about this time that she visited a pastor, and Drew must have been in CMA mode, presumably his normal mode of action. He was more than likely sweating it out, making calls, wondering just how serious this could become; people aware of his violence towards Stacy.

It's interesting that you just posted an article on your personal blog regarding the warning signs for escalating danger when in a relationship with a police officer, Susan.

LINK:
Lethal Indications

From the post: "Number 3: Has he ever cleaned his weapons in your presence, pointed it at you jokingly? And then said Ah, it is not loaded."
______________________________

May Stacy's family receive the gift they ask for for Christmas:

Stacy Home, and The Truth.

Thank you, Susan, for your determination and dogged pursuit of truth and justice for those affected by intimate partner abuse and homicide. You, and your message of hope, are a light at the end of a very dark and lonely tunnel for so many people. Your desire for TRUTH is an inspiration to me, and serves as a catalyst to spread the word, that those who are being abused are not alone.

For anyone living in a frightening relationship and believing and feeling that there is no way to escape or to ever be safe, there are those who understand, who have made it out, with their children, and there is hope. There are people with outstretched hands ready to grasp yours and walk with you into the light of a new life. A life filled with hope, free from fear. People who are willing to stand by you and help you reach the strength that lies within you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this, Susan. Stacy's family must find such comfort in your continued pursuit of truth for her. Not being very familiar with the entire Drew Peterson horror show, I went searching for some background. I found this article, dated December 13, 2007, in The Chicago Tribune: (I'm putting it here in it's entirety as it's not very long but it IS very telling. Link follows article).

"December 13, 2007--Former police officer Drew Peterson has acknowledged that a gun did go off in his home a few months before his wife disappeared, but says it was his wife who pulled the trigger.

"Peterson tells the Chicago Tribune for a story today that his wife accidentally fired the gun he'd bought her as a gift.

"The story conflicts with an account from Peterson's sister-in-law, who claims Peterson fired a gun, with the bullet almost striking his wife.

Stacy Peterson vanished in late October and her husband has been named a suspect in her disappearance. Investigators say they believe the case may be a homicide.

"Stacy's Peterson's family spokeswoman says Drew Peterson's explanation is 'idiotic.'"

Family Spokeswoman calls Drew's explanation "idiotic"

So, Drew claims he bought Stacy a gun as a gift. I wonder if it is a gift that she asked for. He claims she fired it in the family home. Is he insinuating that she was unbalanced? It would be classic if he is attempting to disparage her character and her emotional and mental state. His account of the event with the gun defies what we know about most women and mothers; that Stacy would have been handling a loaded gun in her home and that, according to Drew, Stacy pulled the trigger AND she "accidentally fired the gun," is not something easily believed. It sounds like a fairy tale; a very distorted one.

Apparently she shared with her sister-in-law that her husband fired a gun towards her. It sounds like it was about this time that she visited a pastor, and Drew must have been in CMA mode, presumably his normal mode of action, wondering just how serious this could become; people aware of his violence towards Stacy.

It's interesting that you just posted an article on your personal blog regarding the warning signs for escalating danger when in a relationship with a police officer, Susan.

LINK:
Lethal Indications

"Number 3: Has he ever cleaned his weapons in your presence, pointed it at you jokingly ?
And then said Ah, it is not loaded."
______________________________

May Stacy's family receive the gift they ask for for Christmas;

Stacy and The Truth.

Thank you, Susan, for your determination and dogged pursuit of truth and justice for those affected by intimate partner abuse and homicide. You, and your message of hope, are a light at the end a very dark and lonely tunnel for so many people. Your desire for TRUTH is an inspiration to me and a catalyst to spread the word that those who are being abused are not alone.