SHOREWOOD PATCH: There’s been no sign of Stacy Peterson since she vanished four years ago today, but her family believes the police are still working hard to find her, and the husband they suspect harmed her remains in jail on a murder charge
On Oct. 18, Stacy and Drew Peterson would have been able to celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary together, maybe slipping off on a romantic Caribbean getaway as they had in the past.
Only Drew Peterson has been locked up since 2009 on charges he murdered the woman he left for Stacy. And the last anyone saw of Stacy was exactly four years ago today.
That’s because she took off on a tropical trip of her own with some other guy, never to be seen again. At least that’s the way Drew Peterson told it. Not that anyone — particularly the police — seemed to buy his story.
Instead, within weeks of Stacy’s disappearance, Illinois State Police Capt. Carl Dobrich declared that the missing mother was the victim of a “potential homicide” and that Drew Peterson was the sole suspect in a massive criminal investigation.
But four years later, Stacy remains missing and Drew Peterson, though jailed on charges he murdered his previous wife, Kathleen Savio, faces no charges in connection with harming Stacy.
The state police did not respond to a request for an update on the case, but Pam Bosco, a friend of Stacy’s family and their spokeswoman, said the family is in regular contact with investigators.
“We have our meetings with the Illinois State Police,” Bosco said. “They’re very active and sincere in this being an active investigation.”
Early romance
Stacy was only 17 when she and Peterson started sleeping together — occasionally in the basement of his Bolingbrook home while Savio, who was his third wife, and their children slept upstairs.
Stacy gave birth to their first child together in July 2003 while Peterson was still married to Savio. The courts granted them a peculiar “bifurcated divorce” which cleared the way for Peterson to marry Stacy but still allowed him and Savio to continue their bitter struggle over property and money.
That struggle looked to be wrapping up with Savio coming out way ahead of Peterson when she mysteriously turned up drowned in her dry bathtub in March 2004. Mysterious to some, but apparently not the state police.
Accidental death
Since Drew Peterson was a Bolingbrook cop, and Savio died in his jurisdiction, the state police took over the investigation. The state police quickly determined Savio perished in a freak bathtub accident and effectively closed the case.
Drew and Stacy — who provided her husband with the alibi that he was with her and could not have killed anybody — went on to have another child and live in suburban anonymity in their home on a cul-de-sac less than a mile from the bathroom where Savio died.
But after Stacy vanished, the state police suddenly developed an interest in Savio’s death. Her body was exhumed from its grave and new autopsies were performed. Then, a year and a half after Stacy supposedly abandoned her two children and the two Savio bore whom she adopted, the state police arrested Peterson in connection Savio’s death.
Peterson’s trial was supposed to start in July 2010 but was postponed due to a last minute prosecution appeal of which hearsay statements can be used as evidence. Peterson’s self-proclaimed lead attorney, Joel Brodsky, has repeatedly failed to get the accused wife-killer released while the appeals are sorted out. Another of Peterson’s attorneys, Joseph “Shark” Lopez, said it is impossible to tell when — or if — Peterson will go to trial.
“We’re all waiting for the (Illinois) Supreme Court to say something, yay or nay,” Lopez said. “When the Supreme Court’s ready to decide, they’re going to decide.”
When told that today was the fourth anniversary of Stacy disappearing, he asked, “Are you buying the cake?”
“Where he needs to be”
Bosco said Stacy’s family does not derive any satisfaction from the thought of Peterson languishing in jail, but are glad he’s there.
“I think that’s where he has to be for safety. We all feel safer,” she said.
“That’s where he needs to be until this goes to trial,” Bosco said. “It’s just a very logical decision. One (wife’s) dead, one’s missing, supposedly dead.”
And while Stacy’s family lives with the uncertainty of whether she ever will be found, they wait to see what happens with the case of the wife before her.
“The two of them are tied so closely together,” Bosco said of Stacy and Savio. “We’d be happy if the Kathleen case goes ahead like it should.”
NEWS SOURCE: ARTICLE BY SHOREWOOD PATCH BY JOSEPH HOSEY
Which wife is/was it that the brother or brother in law came foward and told that he helped dispose of the 55 gallon drum? Anyone know?
-Bam
Can’t believe it’s been 4 years since Stacy disappeared. It’s time for justice for all involved.
Bam–Seems to me it was Drew’s cousin.
“Stacy was only 17 when she and Peterson started sleeping together — occasionally in the basement of his Bolingbrook home while Savio, who was his third wife, and their children slept upstairs.
Stacy gave birth to their first child together in July 2003 while Peterson was still married to Savio. The courts granted them a peculiar “bifurcated divorce” which cleared the way for Peterson to marry Stacy but still allowed him and Savio to continue their bitter struggle over property and money”…
No one deserves to be murdered or hurt in any way, but why was a 17 year old sleeping with an older, married man in his basement while his wife and CHILDREN were asleep in the same house? And then has his child while he was still married?
This is a very strange story.
This guy thinks hes a catch and he certainly isnt. He looks like a dirty old man. May he rought in prison. Hes not a star for what he did he is just a murderer….
Bam from Ms. It was Drew’s step brother. His mothers husbands son.
I have been following this story for 4 years and just viewed the movie. Since Stacy has never been found, has anyone investigated the theory that Drew might have set the barrel on fire and cremated her? Thus, there would be no evidence and no blue barrel. I hope someday they find her, my hear goes out the family.
We may never know where Stacy is however, one thing I am sure of is that Drew Peterson knows where she is because he put her there!
He is so arrogant and smug!
Bam, the relative thought he had helped dispose of Stacey, if I understand your question. Kathleen Savio was not “disposed of” in that she was found on the tub.
Great website, Express?
Has a date for the trail been released?
I hope the wife murdering cop is enjoying his time behind bars. I hear cops are really popular in jail. I hope he rots in prison for the rest of his smug life.
Reply to Bam it was Stacey he said helped lift a blue drum with Drew I hope they find her RIP x
Just saw the movie tonight and WOW! Just shocked, disturbed, and sad!! Obviously, he covered every detail in his murdering spree! He is one mentally disturbed old man who prayed on young girls that were naive enough to believe his every charm and promise of a good life! What bafles me is that he thinks he is “untouchable”, but to the one up above he’s not! He will meet his maker, and well see if you’ll try and intimidate him! Also, his children, especially the two oldest ones, I am pretty sure they know something, they just are so afraid to tell! He’s one sick bastard I hope and wish and pray he gets what he deserves… A seat in X!
Has anybody checked land fills, HAZMAT or, medical waste sites for that drum? It’s much easier to hide something in plain site where it would be the norm for disposal. It’s just something that’s been in the back of the old noggin since this started. Find out where he would’ve dumped his waste for the HAZMAT on the plane/boat & I think it will point you in the right direction. Since it would be considered legal waste & I don’t think thy plants expect every drum, no one would be the wiser. Particularly since the drum came from a police officer (former/retired). It’s just a thought however I feel that if he had a drum from the oils/solvents he would use on the plane or, boat he would know where to dispose of them w/o anybody the wiser.
I’m not trying to compound the pain of the family (Stacy’s) however, I do think it should be looked into more since he was a police officer, his hobbies would include this knowledge & would have the knowledge on locations of dump sites. I would go with at least a 25 miles radius or under two hours away from the house because of the children. Just a thought. Thank you.
please will you keep him locked up for the rest of his life please