Drew Peterson is a notorious former police officer who was convicted of murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio, and is suspected of killing his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, who disappeared in 2007. He recently gave a jail interview to NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield, where he made a shocking and sick joke about killing her. This article will explore the details of Peterson’s crimes, his trial, his interview, and the reactions to his case. It will also examine the psychological profile of Peterson, and the factors that may have influenced his behavior and personality.
Peterson is a complex and controversial figure, who has fascinated and repulsed the public for years. He is a former cop who turned into a killer, a charming manipulator who turned into a cold-blooded murderer, and a media-savvy defendant who turned into a jailhouse joker. He is Drew Peterson, the killer cop who joked about murdering his interviewer.
The Murder of Kathleen Savio
Drew Peterson was a sergeant in the Bolingbrook Police Department in Illinois. He married Kathleen Savio in 1992 and they had two sons together. They divorced in 2003, but their relationship was bitter and violent. Savio had filed several complaints of domestic abuse and harassment against Drew, and had obtained an order of protection against him.
On March 1, 2004, Savio was found dead in her bathtub. She had a large gash on the back of her head and bruises on her body. The initial investigation ruled her death as an accidental drowning, despite the suspicious circumstances and the lack of water in the tub. Peterson was the last person to see her alive, and he had the keys to her house.
At the time of Savio’s death, Drew was already dating Stacy Cales, who was 17 years younger than him. They married in 2003, when Stacy was 19 and he was 49. They had two children together, and Peterson adopted Stacy’s son from a previous relationship.
Quick Info and Other Links
| Name | Drew Walter Peterson |
|---|---|
| Born | January 5, 1954 (age 70) |
| Birthplace | Bolingbrook, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Former police officer |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Believes in God, but not in organized religion |
| Spouses | Carol Brown (m. 1974; div. 1980) <br> Vicki Connolly (m. 1982; div. 1992) <br> Kathleen Savio (m. 1992; div. 2003) <br> Stacy Ann Cales (m. 2003, missing since 2007) |
| Children | 6 |
| Convictions | Premeditated murder in the 2004 death of Kathleen Savio <br> Solicitation of murder for hire in the attempted murder of James Glasgow |
| Criminal penalty | 78 years imprisonment; earliest possible release May 7, 2081 |
| Links | Wikipedia- @Drew_Peterson Homepage- Newsunzip |
The Disappearance of Stacy Peterson
Stacy Peterson was a bubbly and outgoing woman who loved her family and friends. She was active in her church and volunteered at a local shelter. She seemed happy with Drew, but behind the scenes, their marriage was crumbling. Stacy had confided to her pastor and some friends that he was abusive and controlling and that she wanted to divorce him. She also told them that he had killed Savio, and that she had lied to the police to cover for him.
On October 28, 2007, Stacy Peterson vanished without a trace. She was last seen by Drew, who claimed that she had left him for another man and taken some cash and a bikini. He said that she had called him later that day to tell him that she was leaving him, but he did not know where she was. He also said that she had suffered from depression and had attempted suicide in the past.
Stacy’s family and friends did not believe Peterson’s story. They said that Stacy would never abandon her children, and that she was planning to divorce Drw and expose his role in Savio’s death. They also said that Stacy was afraid of Drew Peterson, and that he had threatened to kill her if she ever left him.
Stacy’s disappearance sparked a massive search and a media frenzy. It also prompted a re-examination of Savio’s death, which was reopened as a homicide investigation. Peterson became the prime suspect in both cases, and was subjected to intense scrutiny and surveillance. He denied any involvement in either case, and maintained his innocence. He also appeared on several TV shows and gave interviews to the press, where he portrayed himself as a victim of a witch hunt and a loving husband and father.
The Conviction of Drew Peterson
In 2009, Drew Peterson was arrested and charged with the murder of Savio. The prosecution’s case was based on circumstantial evidence, forensic analysis, and hearsay statements from Savio and Stacy. The hearsay statements were admitted under a new law, dubbed the “Drew’s Law”, that allowed the use of statements from unavailable witnesses in cases where the defendant may have caused their unavailability. The law was passed specifically for Peterson’s case, and was challenged by his defense team.
In 2012, Peterson was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 38 years in prison. He appealed his conviction, but it was upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2017.
In 2015, Drew Peterson was also convicted of solicitation of murder for hire, for plotting to kill James Glasgow, the lead prosecutor in his murder trial. He was sentenced to an additional 40 years in prison. He allegedly offered $10,000 to a fellow inmate, Antonio Smith, to arrange the hit on Glasgow. Smith, however, was working as an informant for the authorities, and recorded their conversations.
The Jail Interview with Ashleigh Banfield
In February 2024, Peterson gave a jail interview to NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield, who had been trying to get him to talk for years. The interview was conducted over the phone, and lasted for about an hour. Banfield asked him about his life in prison, his relationship with his children, and his involvement in the deaths of Savio and Stacy.
Drew Peterson appeared to be frail and aged, and used a cane to walk. He said that he was suffering from various health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and a heart condition. He also said that he was lonely and depressed, and that he missed his children. He claimed that he had not seen or spoken to them in years, and that they had been brainwashed by the media and the authorities to believe that he was a killer. He said that he loved them and wanted them to know the truth.
Peterson also maintained his innocence in both cases, and said that he had nothing to do with Savio’s death or Stacy’s disappearance. He said that Savio had died in an accident, and that Stacy had run away with another man. He said that he had no idea where Stacy was, and that he hoped she was alive and well. He also said that he had no motive to kill either of them, and that he had been framed by a corrupt system.
However, Drew also made some disturbing and bizarre statements during the interview, that raised doubts about his credibility and sanity. He described Savio as a “boisterous and combative” woman, who would “fight at the snap of a finger”. He said that he did not put up with her attitude, and that they had a tumultuous relationship. He also made a shocking and sick joke to Banfield, saying, “I promise unless you marry me, I won’t kill you. I’m making a joke.” Banfield was stunned and disgusted by his remark, and replied, “I guarantee you that’s not going to happen, my friend.”
Peterson also claimed that he had a “gift” of being able to tell when someone was lying, and that he had used it to catch criminals during his career as a cop. He said that he could tell that Banfield was lying to him, and that she had an agenda to make him look bad. He also said that he had a “sixth sense” of knowing things that others did not, and that he had predicted the future on several occasions. He said that he had predicted the 9/11 attacks, the death of Princess Diana, and the election of Barack Obama.
Peterson also expressed his views on various topics, such as religion, politics, and the justice system. He said that he believed in God, but not in organized religion. He said that he was a Republican, but not a fan of Donald Trump. He said that he was a supporter of law enforcement, but not of the prosecutors and judges who had wronged him. He said that he was a victim of a conspiracy, and that he had been denied a fair trial.
The Reaction to the Interview
The interview with Peterson sparked a lot of reactions from the public, the media, and the people involved in his cases. Many people were outraged and appalled by his joke about killing Banfield, and his lack of remorse and empathy for his victims. They also questioned his mental state, and his delusions of grandeur and paranoia. They said that he was a narcissist, a sociopath, and a psychopath, who deserved to rot in prison.
Some people, however, were intrigued and fascinated by his interview, and his insights into his life and his crimes. They said that he was a charismatic and intelligent man, who had a twisted sense of humor and a dark charm. They said that he was a master manipulator, who knew how to play the media and the public. They said that he was a complex and intriguing character, who deserved to be studied and understood.
Banfield, who conducted the interview, said that she was shocked and disturbed by Peterson’s joke, and his attitude towards his wives. She said that he was a cold and cruel man, who had no regard for human life. She said that he was a pathological liar, who had created his own reality and his own version of the truth. She said that he was a dangerous and evil man, who had no hope of redemption.
Glasgow, who prosecuted Drew Peterson, said that he was not surprised by Peterson’s joke, and his denial of his crimes. He said that he had seen his true nature during the trial, and that he had no doubt that he was a murderer. He said that Dew was a coward, who had abused his power and his badge to harm his wives. He said that he was a menace, who had tried to kill him and silence him.
Savio’s family, who had fought for justice for her, said that they were disgusted and saddened by Peterson’s interview, and his disrespect for her memory. They said
