January 19, 2012 Charisse Van Horn reporting- Rob Lowe is starring in what some say could be the role of a lifetime: “Drew Peterson: Untouchable.” The film is produced by Lifetime and focuses on the case of Drew Peterson, who is charged with the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Early previews have suggested Rob Lowe may be nominated for an Emmy as he underwent a physical transformation to play the part. Drew Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, disappeared in October 2007. Peterson denies any involvement in either case.
"Drew Peterson: Untouchable" premieres January 21, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. CT with replays on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 12:00 a.m. and on Sunday January 22, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. on the Lifetime network. The film “Drew Peterson: Untouchable,” chronicles the story of the disappearance of Peterson’s fourth wife, Stacy Peterson and the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Drew Peterson was born on January 5, 1954 and worked as a Bolingbrook, Illinois police sergeant. He has been married four times and announced his engagement to a 23-year-old woman in December 2008: Christina Raines. It is believed the couple has since ended their engagement.
Drew Peterson married Carol Brown in 1974, he was 20-years-old. The couple divorced in 1980 due to Drew Peterson’s infidelity. In 1982, Peterson married his second wife, Victoria Connolly. Victoria Connolly has come forward to publicly state that during their decade long marriages, she suffered physical abuse. Drew Peterson’s marriage to Victoria Connolly ended when he began an affair with Kathleen Savio. Peterson and Connelly divorced and on May 3, 1992, he and Kathleen Savio were married. Reports indicate that Peterson and Savio had a tumultuous relationship and authorities were called more than a dozen times for domestic issues.
The couple encountered difficulties and divorced on October 10, 2003. Additional troubles ensued after the divorce as Kathleen Savio stated Drew Peterson was not abiding by their custody agreement and would return the couple's two sons to her late after visitations. On March 1, 2004, Drew Peterson and several neighbors discovered Kathleen Savio's lifeless body in a bathtub drained of water. Kathleen Savio’s death was ruled an accident until Drew Peterson’s fourth wife turned up missing three years later.
After Kathleen Savio’s death, Drew Peterson married Stacy Cales, born on January 20, 1984. Stacy Ann Cales was 30 years Peterson’s junior and the two married on October 18, 2003. The wedding came one week after Kathleen Savio and Drew Peterson’s divorce finalized. Reports state that Kathleen Savio filed for divorce after learning her husband was carrying on an affair with Stacy. Kathleen Savio’s family has publicly stated that Kathleen was deathly afraid of Drew Peterson and believed he would kill her and make it look like an accident. After Kathleen Savio's death, the couple's two sons went to live with Drew Peterson and his wife, Stacy. Drew and Stacy had two children of their own.
Like Kathleen Savio, Stacy Peterson began to disclose fear of her husband and confided in the pastor of her house of worship, Naperville Christian Church, Neil Schori, that she believed Drew Peterson murdered Kathleen Savio and that her life was in jeopardy. Stacy Peterson provided the alibi for Drew Peterson the night of Kathleen Savio’s death. On October 29, 2007, four years after she married Drew Peterson, Stacy Peterson was officially reported missing.
The timeline of Stacy Peterson’s last days include audio recordings and visits with friends. On October 17, 2007, Stacy Peterson left her father a voicemail. She was seen with friends at a Denny’s restaurant On October 19, 2007, reports say that Drew Peterson arrived at the restaurant and joined Stacy Peterson with her friend Scott Rossetto and several of Scott’s friends. Stacy Peterson contacted an attorney towards the end of October, Harry Smith, to inquire about divorce proceedings and a friend of Stacy’s, Pam Bosco, told authorities that on October 25, 2007, she spoke with Stacy who told her, “I have to get out of here, you know. I'm not feeling very safe. I'm afraid he's going to hurt me.” Stacy Peterson’s sister, Cassandra, reportedly dined with Drew and Stacy in their home on October 27, 2007. Cassandra stated that Stacy Peterson said to her, “I love you...if anything happens to me, he killed me. It wasn't an accident." The words were eerily similar to those reportedly stated by Kathleen Savio before her death.
After the investigation into Stacy Peterson’s disappearance was underway, Drew Peterson made several media interviews and became a frequently seen public figure. He repeatedly stated that Stacy Peterson was alive and had abandoned her family to run off with another man. Her family refuted the claims. Several people came forward with information, some that would be confirmed, others that would be highly debated, and all would become subject for closer examination to determine what will be admissible in Drew Peterson’s upcoming trial.
Due to statements made, authorities decided to exhume the body of Kathleen Savio. On November 16, 2007, several weeks following Stacy Peterson’s reported disappearance, Kathleen Savio’s body was exhumed. New York City Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Baden (who has handled numerous high profile cases) performed the examination. Dr. Baden determined that Kathleen Savio died from the results of a physical struggle, and then her body was physically placed in the bathtub. Kathleen Savio’s death was ruled a homicide on February 21, 2008. On May 7, 2 009, a Will County Grand Jury indicted Drew Walter Peterson on charges of First Degree Murder. Drew Peterson was arrested and held on 20 million bond.
The investigation into Stacy Peterson’s disappearance also uncovered information regarding several blue barrels or containers. Several people reported to authorities witnessing blue containers either at Drew Peterson’s home or in his possession shortly before Stacy Peterson’s reported disappearance. A friend of Drew Peterson’s, Rick Mims, reportedly purchased three blue barrels from a cable company. ABC News reported a search warrant confirmed investigators were looking for evidence of the barrels. Several witnesses stated seeing blue barrels in the home, but none of the stories were consistent. At this point in the investigation, a blue barrel containing evidence directly related to Stacy Peterson has not been found.
Drew Peterson is represented by criminal defense attorney Joel Brodsky. In December 2011, Joel Brodsky released a press statement saying that Drew Peterson wants an apology from the Bolingbrook Illinois Police Department and maintains there is no evidence or proof that indicates Stacy Peterson is no longer alive or that he had anything to do with her disappearance. Another attorney for Peterson, Walter Maksym tried unsuccessfully to halt production of the Lifetime movie: "Drew Peterson: Untouchable."
Drew Peterson and Kathleen Savio’s son, Tommy Peterson, released a public statement saying he believes his father is innocent of his mother’s murder. He stated, “Nobody is pulling the wool over my eyes. I know to be an absolute 1000% moral certainty that my father Drew Peterson is innocent in the death of my mother Kathleen Savio. Don’t forget I was with my father the entire weekend that my mother died.” Tommy Peterson is 18-years-old and wants his name removed from a “wrongful death” lawsuit.
Those interested in documents or reading a timeline of the Drew Peterson, Stacy Peterson case may find an extensive record at A Candy Rose: Stacy Peterson Timeline.
Are you going to tune in to Rob Lowe's portrayal of Drew Peterson?
Click the video player to the left for reports and true crime footage from the Drew Peterson case and search for Stacy Peterson as well as the trailer for the Lifetime movie: Drew Peterson: Untouchable. You may also read the document People v. Peterson, the Appellate Court decision in PDF format. Also included is the Dateline report and Drew Peterson interview “Deadly Suspicion.” You may also read the bill of indictment where Drew Peterson is charged and indicted with the murder of Kathleen Savio.
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