Too Little, Too Late: Drew Peterson Finally Offers Reward for Missing Wife Stacy Peterson

It's not often that you get to recycle a headline so quickly, but this week's wacky Chicago-based news environment offered a two-fer. First, Barack Obama suddenly catches on to what Jeremiah Wright, his pastor of twenty years, has been preaching and decides to say something about it: too little, too late.

Now former Bolingbrook, Ill cop Drew Peterson has decided to take time out from his media posturing to offer a reward for his missing wife, Stacy. You remember Stacy, mother of their two children, step-mother to two of Peterson's older children by his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Apparently Peterson has decided, in between dating and TV appearances, that he remembers his young fourth wife, too--although he says she ran off with another man.

Six months or so after Stacy's family, friends, volunteers, and just plain strangers have been constantly searching for her, Peterson is offering $25,000 for information about Stacy's disappearance: too little, too late.We're not sure where the money is coming from, as not too long ago, Peterson and his sidekick attorney Joel Brodsky were begging for monies for Drew on a website that quickly vanished.





Like the website, Stacy suddenly vanished, too. Just before she went missing, she told friends she wanted a divorce. She also told her pastor that Peterson had killed Savio, his third wife. Savio was found bruised and dead of what was first ruled an accidental drowning in a dry bathtub. Peterson controlled that crime scene.

Later, however, after Stacy's disappearance, Savio's body was exhumed for a second autopsy. That procedure, plus an outside autopsy by renowned pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, moved Savio's death into the "probable homicide" category. Savio, like Stacy, repeatedly told people that Peterson would kill her and get away with it.

Why was she so sure of that? He threatened her with that, many times, Savio told everyone who would listen. And then there was his stalking of Savio, control, and repeated physical abuse. Stacy, too, was monitored and tracked, and she was afraid she would be killed before she could get out.

Peterson's second wife, Viki Connolly, said the same thing, as did a former fiancee. Connolly says she's still afraid of Peterson.





Savio's family now, at last, has control of the seven-figure estate Peterson and the two minor Savio children inherited--which had been managed by Peterson, a boy who loves his toys (motorcycles, cars, guns,light aircraft). Lately, Peterson's been losing a lot: the Savio decision, the yanking of his weapons permit, and the court's refusal to give his guns back.

Apparently, Peterson and Brodsky have decided it's time for a little positive PR--or so the family and friends of both Savio and Stacy believe. We believe that too.

Peterson's recent media appearances have been more than a little bit frayed around the edges. His portrayal of the jovial college jock who is guffawing at a private joke about his self-professed "bad luck" with women is now several degrees beyond hackneyed.




Peterson, who we've written about ad nauseum (for some reason, the word "nausea" just comes up with the word "Peterson"), is most likely chumming for not only current PR, but to hook some sympathy with any potential jurors. Peterson, who says he expects to be arrested, alternates between fishing for sympathy and laughing it all off.

At this point, $25,000 isn't nearly enough to start cleaning up the ol' Drew dumpster enough to put even a dim shine on his public patina. However, it is enough to start speculation: did the offer hit the table as a ploy just before Peterson is arrested?

Stay tuned. Investigators still want answers about two timelines of extreme interests: Peterson's whereabouts before Savio died and before Stacy went missing.

The Drew Dumpster: Stacy Peterson Search Brings Out Volunteers; Drew Peterson Focuses on Media Spotlight for Himself

So far, Drew Peterson has blocked his children from testifying before the grand jury, gotten his guns back, posed for People magazine, invited numerous news shows to come into his home to film "Mr. Mom", said he wants a divorce, wanted to do a "win a date with Drew" radio promotion, and bragged about being a chick magnet. His natural match: attorney Joel Brodsky, who hams it up and laughs it up almost as much as Peterson.

The fact that third wife Kathleen Savio's death was finally ruled a homicide didn't affect Peterson at all in his rush to fame. He was too busy commenting on how women drive by his house, leave mash notes, and in general, want Drew.

Nice to know he's got his head in the game.

The Drew Dumpster: Stacy Peterson Search to Resume, Drew Peterson Cleans House for Media

The tawdry tale of former Bolingbrook cop and crime suspect Drew Peterson and his missing fourth wife Stacy Peterson blooms anew with spring. As for third wife Kathleen Savio, found dead and "drowned" in a dry bathtub, no arrest has yet been made in what officials now consider to be a homicide.

Let's review, shall we? Four wives, the second says she's still terrified of Peterson. Third wife, Savio, dead, after multiple calls for help to Peterson's own police department and a poignant but ignored letter to a prosecutor. She left behind more than a million dollars in assets,which fell into Drew Peterson's custody, along with their two children.

Although it took Illinois authorities years and the pressure of the public spotlight, Fox News reporter Greta Van Susteren, and the intervention of famed forensics expert Dr. Michael Baden to decide Savio had been killed, her family knew her death was no accident. After we read the coroner's initial report and accounts of Savio's death, we here at Peanut headquarters knew it was no accident.

In fact, back in November 2007, shortly after Stacy Peterson disappeared, we told you how easily someone who knows how can make a murder look like an accidental drowning. Given Savio's pleas for protection from an abusive husband, letting her death slide as an "accident," as claimed by Peterson, is an appalling act.

Peterson has a history of abuse claims.Former fiancee Kyle Piry chimed in during the inital investigation into the disappearance of Stacy Peterson. She recounted Peterson's stalking, using his badge to ticket and bully her, along with physical abuse and threats.

When fourth wife Stacy Peterson went missing, her story echoed the fears and experiences of Piry and former wives. Before Stacy vanished, she told her pastor that Peterson killed Savio. Fox News and Dr. Baden got involved. Savio's family asked Baden to do a second autopsy.

After Savio was exhumed, Baden's autopsy showed that Savio had been beaten and killed. Her drowning had been faked. Finally, the local coroner agreed and Savio's death moved from the accidental death category into murder.

First on the scene of her death? The man she feared the most, the man who had literally broken into her home and held her captive: Bolingbrook cop Drew Peterson and one of his best friends. Amazingly, several people who had angered Peterson have turned up dead, and even more amazingly, he's been the first at the scene. Not so amazingly, he controlled the death scenes.

After Stacy Peterson's disappearance hit the national media, there were reports of a mysterious blue barrel the right size for moving a body, a helper in moving that barrel who then attempted suicide, and revelations about Stacy's desire for a divorce. Above all else, however, is Peterson's love of the media spotlight.

From People magazine to joint appearances with his new best friend, lawyer Joel Brodksy (who also has spouse abuse problems in his past), Peterson's been busy. Recently, he's been working the media circuit, giving various reporters "exclusive" interviews in his home, showing him hard at work being Mom, loading the dishwasher, making lunches--well, everything except doing the Donna Reed twirl with pearls.

Peterson, who earlier had bragged about women being so attractive to him that they drive by his house and leave him notes, obviously now has been tutored in being "Mr. Mom." His sarcasm, laughter at Stacy's disappearance--who he insists just left her children and "ran off" with another mean--and open contempt for women, the authorities, Stacy's family, Stavio's family, neighbors, and, apparently, anyone not part of the Drew Fan Club, inadvertently revealed the real Drew Peterson.

Peterson told both Stacy and Kathleen that he was a cop, and he could kill them and get away with it. He knew how, he said. The Peterson case,reaching over decades and culminating in Stacy's disappearance, even had Dr. Phil weighing in.

Dr. Phil said he was "troubled" by Peterson's story and his demeanor. So are millions of other people.

Now hastily retired--to avoid yet another investigation--Peterson remains convinced that what he says goes. Brodsky, his apparent twin-separated-at-birth, has been working his own media circuit. One of the reasons he took the case, Brodsky said, is to get more publicity for his talent.

Of all Peterson's matches to date, Brodsky is the best one. For awhile, the twosome made the media rounds with identical beards, dressed alike, and acting alike. In between TV appearances, Brodsky found time to file the motions to get Peterson's cars --seized during the investigation--returned.

But so far, it's a "no go" on the request to have Peterson's guns returned to the custody of an elder son, with Peterson's right-to-carry card returned to Peterson. Question: if the guns were returned, along with Peterson's card, how long would it take for Peterson to have a gun back in his possession?

Actually, he's had one all along. He allegedly hid one from Illinois state police officers searching his home.





You know, guns. Like the one he almost "accidentally" killed Stacy with before. Seems she went downstairs to get him a soda and the 30-year-veteran cop "accidentally" discharged his firearm through the floor, in Stacy's direction.





Not that death by "accident" is strange when Peterson is around. He was originally fired from the same police department for identifying an undercover officer to a known killer. He got his job back.

Decades later, Stacy Peterson's family resumes the search for her, with some volunteers receiving training from Illinois investigators. Savio's family still waits.

And so do both justice and common sense.

"Pig in Snow": Dr. Phil, Drew Peterson, Stacy Peterson, Kathleen Savio, Kyle Piry & The "Rotten Review"

NOTE: If you have a blog or website, feel free to use any of these videos on your page. It's easy: just view the videos, choose what would help you the most on your own page, and then click the "embed" button on the video(s) you've chosen.

Inspector Clouseau Needed: The Bizarre Drew Peterson Story

Where is Inspector Clouseau when you need him?

Clouseau and the Pink Panther could add a lot to the ever-stranger Drew Peterson saga. You know, the former cop with a missing fourth wife, and a third wife found drowned in her dry bathtub, leaving him rich.

As this story inches forward day by day, the "clews" are becoming ever more curious. The Illinois State Police have retracted the alert on the trucker who claims Peterson and another man approached him wanting off-the-record transport. Seems the guy was in Louisiana at the time.

But wait! There's more! Supposedly there's another trucker who'd reported an earlier contact whose cellphone records check out. Or -- maybe.

Meanwhile, Peterson contains to whine about media interest in this story. So what does he do? Once again, he runs to--the media. The Chicago Tribune has a sob sister story with Peterson whining that his former cop buddies are shunning him.

Now investigators are saying that chemicals may have been used to decompose fourth wife Stacy Peterson's body faster. What *is* decomposing faster: the trail left by investigators, who somehow gave Peterson several days to ramble around, possibly leave the area, and clean up his house.

Cook County and its general area-this case is taking place in Chicago's 'burbs--have always been known for dirty politics, a political machine, vote-rigging, and all too often, dirty cops. Right now, investigators have a case that has far larger implications than just one missing wife.

At question: the handling of Kathleen Savio's death, which forensic expert Dr. Michael Baden said was a homicide. Peterson, who called it in, was allowed to clean up the bathtub and area. A cop who knew and liked Peterson was allowed on the coroner's jury looking at the case.

A couple of decades back, Peterson was fired for numerous causes, including ratting out another undercover cop to a known killer in the narcotics trade. The management of Bolingbrook made the police department take him back.

New Police Chief Ray McGury has a tough job on his hands--this mess fell into his lap, and it appears that the town management again wants to thwart police department management. He didn't want Peterson to be allowed his full penalty. The town management handed the pension over after Peterson, fearing a police department internal investigation for infractions before Stacy went missing, rushed into retirement.

It goes on and on. This is a story about a bully with a badge, and the implications are far-reaching. There are at least two other mysterious deaths/missing persons linked to Peterson.

Peterson, though, has his priorities focused. He told one reporter that he wouldn't "get a date" again. When he asked another female reporter to tour his home, he told her that he was a "good kisser." He told other reporters, in scoffing at the investigation "I'm waiting for my 7th grade prom date to say that I was a bad kisser."

However, Peterson scotched rumors that he's posing for a spread in Playgirl. Whew. Meanwhile, apparently-former-friend Ric Mims, who posed for a randy self-photo on his MySpace page, has sold his story to the National Enquirer. Mims is appearing in this saga as the Peterson version of Kato Kaelin.

The Peterson saga will be featured on today's Dr. Phil show. Dr. Phil, who previously has said that Peterson's behavior is not normal, will take a look at this case and the subject of domestic abuse. Peterson had 18 complaints at his home with Savio, whose head he bammed against a table while knocking her around, according to a hospital report--while he was a police officer.

Three of Peterson's four wives reported being afraid of him. Reports are that he told them he could kill them and make it look like an accident. All this went on while he was a cop. Although Chief McGury was apparently ready to bring the hammer down on Peterson, for decades Peterson apparently did what he wanted and got away with it.

And that means that this case goes far beyond one dead wife and one missing wife. Bolingbrook town management and the former police chief have some explaining to do.

As the imcomparable Peter Sellers said as Inspector Clouseau: "It won't be easy, that is why I have always failed where others have succeeded."

Photo courtesy of the Inspector Clouseau site, which I highly recommend for a visit.

Cops Hammer on Peterson: "Possible Homicide" Evidence Search

Tonight's search of former Bolingbrook Sgt. Drew Peterson is a major step forward in the case. Investigators stated in their warrant that they are seeking evidence relating to the commission of a "possible homicide," and want to take a closer look at the Peterson vehicles, among other things.

They are searching for chips or trace evidence from a blue container. The police may also seize the cars via forfeiture, although the reasons for that have not yet been fully discussed.

The earlier overview article follows this one.

Drew Peterson Killed Kathleen Savio, Said Missing Wife Stacy

Before she went missing, Stacy Peterson told clergy and friends that her husband, former Bolingbrook cop, Drew Peterson killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio, according to Michael Sneed of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Stacy, Peterson's fourth wife, also warned that if she disappeared Peterson would have killed her. Savio, who supposedly drowned in a dry bathtub, told her family and friends the same thing.

Even though Savio filed a protective order, made 18 abuse complaints,and wrote to an assistant state attorney pleading for help, she was ignored. Following a post-exhumation autopsy, expert Dr. Michael Baden said her death was a homicde.

Peterson, once fired for revealing the identity of an uncover officer to a known killer, has a history of lying, cheating, and abuse. He allegedly threatened three of his wives with death , bragging that because he was a cop he could make a murder look like an accident.

The day she disappeared, Stacy reportedly told Peterson to get out of the house as she began divorce proceedings. Are there multiple motives for Stacy Peterson's disappearance and possible homicide?

Follow the money. When Savio died, Peterson was freed from child support and alimony. He also inherited more than $1.5 million in various assets.

If Stacy Peterson divorced him, she could claim one-half of those assets, as well as child support for their two children and a part of his $72,000 a year pension. If her claims about Savio's death were true, she could also name Peterson as a killer, making her disappearance a double win for Peterson: protecting the money and removing a threat to a murder cover-up.

The Peterson investigation, which now includes the FBI and dozens of Illinois cops, is gaining momentum. Still unknown: the whereabouts of Thomas Morphey, Peterson's step-brother, who reportedly helped Peterson move a large blue bin out of the Peterson's bedroom the day Stacy disappeared.

Morphey, sources say, then became distraught, and said that he was afraid that he had helped Peterson move Stacy's body. He wound up in the hospital with a drug overdose in what is currently being called a suicide attempt.

For more background on this bizarre case, check out the archives here.

How Believable is Drew Peterson? Citizen Panel Says: Not Very

How believable is Drew Peterson? Well below "zero," according to MediaCurve's analysis.

MediaCurves, a highly-specialized communications analysis group, showed clips of Matt Lauer's Today Show Nov. 14 interview with Peterson to a panel of 300 men and women. Using techniques developed by MediaCurves, the panel responded via mouse movements as they watched the clips.

After analysis, MediaCurves overlaid the survey results on the actual interview footage. The results are pretty amazing.

Peterson's believability repeatedly tanked into the minus 60% range. Men and women totally agreed on their perceptions.

However, Peterson did get one vote of confidence. When Lauer asked Peterson if he could present anything that would clear him in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy, or or the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, Peterson said "no."

The score on that "no" immediately zoomed well above zero. The panel obviously believed that statement, unlike others.

MediaCurves also provided a "before and after" comparison of beliefs about Peterson's involvement in both cases. The results show that suspicion of Peterson increased dramatically after seeing the interview.

As experts have been saying all along: Peterson's using his own big mouth to dig an equally big hole.

Kathleen Savio, Stacy Peterson & Drew Peterson: The Lost, The Search

Today Stacy Peterson's family, friends, and supporters will launch another search for the missing Bolingbrook mom. Information is available at Find Stacy Peterson.

Reading blogs and forums, it's easy to see that this particular case has not only touched many hearts, but raised a great deal of anger. As Drew Peterson continues to clown around for the cameras and his attorney launches a smear campaign against Stacy, it's important to note two things: 1) Peterson has not yet been charged with any crime and 2) it's ironic that the disappearance of Stacy has proved to be the catalyst that is pulling back the covers of Peterson's true self and his checkered past.

But for the families involved, this story is about endless fear, frustration, and loss. Domestic abuse is like that: it's a cancer that spreads and affects anyone it touches. Perhaps Stacy's disappearance and Kathleen Savio's death--now determined to be a homicide by at least one expert--are shining a light into the decaying mess of the Peterson cellar of infamy.

Between investigations of potential felony-level misconduct in the discharge of his duties as a police officer, his firing for revealing an undercover officer's identity to a known killer, and the glare of publicity, Peterson finds himself in an unlikely position. Instead of the controller, he's now having to tread in a world that he can't control, try as he and attorney Joel Brodsky might.

Among the more blatant and disgusting media tricks: Peterson making sure he's photographed removing mail from his mailbox, late at night (when the camera lights will show up him even clearer) right after the anonymous Peoria letter. That's the letter that Brodsky rushed to the media to hint about, the one claiming the writer had seen Stacy in Peoria. But the writer didn't inform the police, or even go for the reward. No, they dropped a line to Peterson, who read the letter at his leisure, and from there: media blitz.

As is usual in missing persons cases, there will be reported sightings. That's human nature. However, this one is so obviously stage-managed and crafted, right to Drew's appearance onstage taking a long time to remove mail from his box (ample time for pictures) that it fairly shouts: looky here! Drew and team are "messing" with everyone!

Meanwhile, there's four kids involved, two of them Stacy's by birth, two by adoption from Peterson's prior marriage to Kathleen Savio. How are the kids doing? Well, Peterson weighed in on that during one of his media appearances:

"sure their mom's missing and they're upset but there are more important things to worry about."

There are more important things to worry about? Like what? Carrying apparently endless streams of drycleaning in and out of the house? Peterson posing for People Magazine?

Yea, it's about people--but not publicity. It's about Kathleen Savio, Stacy Peterson, their families and friends, the kids, second wife Viki Connolly who says she's still afraid of Peterson, and the rest of Peterson's victims, including other police officers.

As Bolingbrook Police Chief Ray McGury, who's received death threats, struggles to clear his department of Peterson issues that occurred before he took over two years ago, it's clear that the list of those harmed is huge. If Peterson is charged with misconduct, what does that say about the quality of protection given to citizens who encountered Peterson The Cop?

Make no mistake: there are many, many honest, dedicated, caring police officers. In fact, that group is the majority of officers I've encountered. But one Peterson--and the questions about how he got reinstated decades ago, as well as other deaths he "discovered"--can splash mud and grime across badges around the country.

Please don't make the mistake of thinking that Peterson is a typical cop, or that whatever functions in Bolingbrook to have so much covered up for so long is an honest cop's choice. And above all, remember that the cover of People Magazine will soon be used for puppy housebreaking and bird cages, but the real people in Stacy's, Savio's, and Connolly's families, among others, are suffering, still.

Join others in lighting a candle for Stacy at Gratefulness.org And, I've also created a group so that you may also light a candle for Kathleen Savio . Note: at first, you may have to use the "search" function: type in either Stacy or Savio.

It's time for the light of truth to reveal what lies beneath the cover of the jovial clown mugging for the cameras.



And spread the word: