Located in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Durham, the house boasts a patio with an outdoor fireplace, a library, a game room, five bedrooms, and five-and-a-half bathrooms, not to mention the pool. Most eerie of all, though, is the fact that a segment took place on the infamous back staircase! Warning: This article contains spoilers about The Staircase. Ratliff was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in her home in similar circumstances to Kathleen Peterson. And what about all the other characters that were so important to the story? Despite the couple eventually marrying, Rudolf insists their relationship had no bearing on her coverage nor granted her any special privileges. Michael's late wife Kathleen will be played byToni Collette. They married in 1965 and moved to Durham, North Carolina. Because of all of the twists and turns that developed in the case, from the death itself having multiple theories, to the news of another woman from petersons past dying in a similar fashion, The Staircase originally premiered on TV in 2004 with eight episodes detailing the case and trial. In 2001, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of the . Their son, Clayton, shared that the former spouses cohabited an apartment in Durham, the same town in which Michael and Kathleen had lived. One of the most puzzling revelations of his trial was that in 1985, Michael was the last person to see Elizabeth Ratliff before she was discovered dead at the bottom of a staircase. You Can Stream Every 'Rocky' Movie Right Now, 'WoF' Fans Say This Is the 'Biggest Choke' on Show, Daisy Jones & the Six Is a Rock Epic in 10 Parts, See Mariska Hargitays Emotional Tribute on IG, Poker Face Is Rian Johnson's Exciting New Show, A Timeline of Events in 'Murdaugh Murders', 'White Lotus' Star Reveals 'Iconic' Scene Was Cut, How Sam Claflin Built His '70s Rock Star Body. True-crime enthusiasts have taken a renewed interest in Michael Peterson and the death of his wife, Kathleen, with the premiere of the mini-series "The Staircase". The conclusion painted Michael as a murderer with a propensity for pushing his victims down staircases and no doubt contributed to his conviction. RELATED: 'The Staircase' Ending Explained: What Is the Truth? Yes, The Staircase on HBO Max is based on a true story. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The 9,400-square-foot mansion at 1810 Cedar St. in Durham, North Carolina was listed for $1.9 million on Tuesday, according to local outlet WRAL. Since Michael cant profit from his crime, the proceeds from the books sales go to charity. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. During filming, Peterson began dating one of the documentary editors, Sophie Brunet. And [Sophie] said, well, if you can't commit to live with me all the time, let's end it and it was a great blow to both of usI could not give her what she really needed and deserved.". At the center of the story is Kathleen and Michaels sprawling Colonial home, located in Durhams tony Forest Hills neighborhood. He currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland, where he works as an engineer. ", It turns out Firth landed the role out of pure Hollywood happenstance. Michael, who has maintained his innocence, spent nearly a decade behind bars after being . That wasnt what the documentary was going to be about. And what's his life like today? Before that, she ran twice for District Attorney, in 2006 and 2008, but never got the job. Milan Polk is an Editorial Assistant for Men's Health who specializes in entertainment and lifestyle reporting, and has worked for New York Magazine's Vulture and Chicago Tribune. Following Elizabeths death, Margaret and her younger sister Martha (Odessa Young) were adopted by the Petersons. a livestream that has since been uploaded to YouTube, Margaret co-produced a documentary feature titled, he was also not happy with the fictional adaptation of his docuseries, The Best Korean Dramas on Netflix Right Now, 10 Best Reality Competition Shows Returning In 2023. However, back in 2002, streaming hadnt been invented yet, and young Margaret had no idea just how much her life would be in the public eye in the following decades. The docu-series follows Petersons trial for the murder of his wife Kathleen,who was found dead at the bottom of their staircase in their Durham, North Carolina home on December 9, 2001 as well as the aftermath. It also chronicles the work of French documentarist Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, who, from 2003 to 2018, worked on a docuseries about the case also titled The Staircase. In 2018, AP reported that Michael Peterson now lives in a 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom condo in the same town, Durham, North Carolina. I don't speak French. Still married to journalist Sonya Pfeiffer (Teri Wyble), defense attorney David Rudolf (Michael Stuhlbarg) relocated to Toronto in 2021, where he works for litigation and corporate law firm Brauti Thorning LLP. However, they eventually joined their father in Durham, North. On December 9, 2001, Michael Peterson's wife, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of their staircase with severe injuries. In light of new developments surrounding the case, de Lestrade made a new installment to The Staircase saga in 2012, entitled The Last Chance.In this new installment, Peterson's legal team appeal to the courts for a new trial after it comes out that bloodstain analyst Duane Deaver, who was a key witness for the prosecution, had given false and . The Staircase follows Michaels more than decade-long legal battle toward freedom and paints a portrait of the Peterson family both before and after Kathleens death. They took care of each other.". They had a real story, which lasted until May 2017. Michael was seemingly innocent at first as he was the one who dialed 911 after finding Kathleen at the base of their steps. Here's everything we know about what happened to Michael Peterson after HBO Max's The Staircase. Reprieve for Michael came in the form of prosecutorial impropriety, which forced the judge to grant him a new trial in 2011. Petersons overall nonchalant demeanor and regular giggling over aspects of the case are certainly perplexing. It occurred when Michael and Kathleen were visiting Germany and dropped by the home of their friend, Elizabeth Ratliff. Instead, he submitted an Alford Plea for manslaughter. According to a June report by The Sun, Peterson continues to live in Durham and has self-published two books about his life during the murder trial and his life following his release from prison. Rudolf, sick of negative depictions of criminal defense lawyers, got on board. "We could have put a little blimp over my head saying, 'Jewish lawyer from New York,'" he said. Patricia Peterson died in July 2021 of a heart attack when she was 78 years old. Duane Deaver, a blood splatter expert, had testified that the evidence pointed towards murder. The front of the house at 1810 Cedar St. in Durham, now on its third post-Peterson owner, is visible from the street, but the entire 3.4-acre property is. The Staircase, starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette as Michael and Kathleen Peterson, explores the life of Michael Peterson, who was accused of murdering his wife Kathleen at their sprawling North Carolina home after she died under suspicious circumstances in December 2001.. She also stood by Michael Peterson when suspicions were raised during his trial about the death of their friend Elizabeth Ratliff in 1985. Rudolf gave a behind-the-scenes look at the trial, and why he agreed to participate in the docu-series, made by a French documentary crew that first aired in the United States in 2005, and was updated and re-released on Netflix last year. He had been living with his first wife, Patricia, (although divorced) for the past two years until her death from a heart attack, his son Clayton told North Carolina's News & Observer in 2021. But severe cracks in their foundation came to light following Michaels arrest and during his subsequent lengthy trial. The company had also begun massive layoffs at the same time and Kathleens job security seemed tenuous at best. In fact, when his step-daughter Caitlin Atwater Clark attempted to sue him for $25 million in a wrongful death lawsuit, he specifically told his lawyer that he had no money at all. It was a huge financial blow to Michael. ", one of the longest of its kind in North Carolina history, is not synonymous with his conviction being overturned, losing the civil suit his step-daughter, Caitlin Atwater, brought against him, Michael Peterson's first wife, Patricia "Patty" Peterson, forced to sell his assets, including the family home. So the ill-fated lovebirds went their own ways. Newsweek has everything you need to know about his relationship history: No, Michael Peterson does not have a new wife today. Much like his client, Rudolf took issue with Campos version of events, especially with scenes that implied Michael kept information from him and that his professional relationship with Pfeiffer was unethical. Kathleen, the familys breadwinner, had deferred much of her income to purchase Nortel Networks stock and though its value once totaled almost $2.5 million, the 2001 crash whittled it down to about $50,000 by the time of her death. On December 1, 2009, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in their North Carolina home. I felt that I wanted to keep my inspiration, my motivation, and the sense of the source material, as much as possible contained within the script and the way it was written.. According to CNN, Patty Peterson loaned Michael Peterson $168,000 to help him fight his case. Michael wound up being granted a new trial in 2011 after the State Crime Labs blood-spatter analyst Duane Deaver, who worked on his case, was fired for repeatedly shoddy investigative work. So, it was an unusual choice to cast the "Bridget Jones' Diary" love-rival in HBO's "The Staircase." The case is still a major discussion for true-crime fans, some of whom wonder if Michael Peterson really did kill his wife, or if it was merely an accident as he claims. 'The Bear''s Jeremy Allen White Keeps His Awards In His Kids' Room For A Cute Reason, 'Yellowstone' Prequel '1923' Really Earned Its TV-MA Rating, Daisy Jones & The Six Is A Nostalgic Series Based On A Best-Selling Book, The 'Ted Lasso' Season 3 Trailer Is Finally Here & Fellas, It'll Give You Goosebumps, What Parents Are Talking About Delivered Straight To Your Inbox, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Despite Michael Peterson's murder conviction in 2003, his story was far from over. And, Rudolf gave a wry summary of a key feature of Petersons new living situation: Hes in a ground floor apartment with no stairs that was a really important accommodation.. He Lives in a House Without a Staircase. They married in 1987 and together they raised a large, blended family with children from previous relationships. So beloved was the residence that Kathleen and Michael decided to tie the knot there, surrounded by family and friends, on June 21, 1997. Since his release, Michael has avoided staying in houses with staircases, which is perhaps a good idea. Because in fact, the story didn't really end there. His plans, he said, are to spend the time he lost behind bars with family and write a new book. He was caustic and sarcastic and mean sometimes, Rudolf said. Can also be found at Delirium Nerd, writing in Portuguese. The reason, according to him, was money. 'The Staircase': Where Are Michael Peterson and His Family Now? She said: "My mother and Mike had an absolutely loving relationship and there is no way that either of them would ever wish any sort of harm on the other one.". Their mom had been Elizabeth Ratcliff, the family friend who'd died falling down the stairs in Germany decades before Kathleen Peterson, per Cosmopolitan. Played by Sophie Turner, Margaret is the eldest daughter of Air Force captain George Ratliff and his wife, Elizabeth, who lived next door to Michael and Patty Peterson in Germany. At first, their two sons lived in Germany with their mother but eventually went to live in Durham, North Carolina with their father. However, since the release of the HBO miniseries, his Instagram profile has been deleted. No, Michael Peterson does not have a new wife today. Peterson's current financial state, while up for speculation, is most likely a shadow of what it was in 2001. In 1983, George died from a military accident, and in 1985, Elizabeth was found dead at the foot of her staircase with head injuries. Pollard is the author of "The Owl Theory" a theory that Kathleen Peterson died from injuries sustained in an owl attack. Her death was investigated by the U.S. military police in Germany at the time and an autopsy concluded she had died from an intracerebral hemorrhage. HBO is yet to announce a release date forThe Staircase. Selling the house at its [original $1.175 million] asking price would still not cover all of Petersons debts.. This means that the person accused of murder can admit that there's enough evidence to convict them, but not admit guilty for committing the crime. He is portrayed in the Antonio Campos-created series "The Staircase" by actor Joel McKinnon Miller (best known as Scully from "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"). The shy, dull, and very British Mark Darcy is as far as you can get from the confounding and unpredictable American novelist Michael Peterson. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. 21. In 2010, he was found culpable of withholding crucial evidence from defense attorneys in other cases. "We made plans to live in Paris. According to CBS News, Peterson now lives in a 1,200 square foot condo, a big change from the mansion he once shared with his late wife, but as he told the news outlet, its a life hes happy to now live. We want to hear from you! Do not trespass or bother the residents or the property in any way. .css-13y9o4w{display:block;font-family:GraphikBold,GraphikBold-fallback,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-13y9o4w:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.05rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.39461rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.3;}}Who Was Mallory Beach in 'Murdaugh Murders'? Pattys death, however, is surrounded by its fair share of mystery and controversy. The production, deemed largely forgettable by critics, made extensive use of both the interior and exterior of the property. They lived together in Durham up until Pattys death from a heart attack in 2021. Michael and Patty became even closer post-trial. Man Made Pros and Cons List About Leaving Her, Missouri Man Killed Expectant Wife Who Googled 'What to Do if Your Husband Is Upset You Are Pregnant', Andrea Yates, Who Drowned Her 5 Kids in a Tub in 2001, Annually Declines Release from Mental Hospital, Robert Durst, Convicted Murderer and Real Estate Scion, Dies at 78, Scott Peterson Resentenced to Life in Prison After Being Spared Death, as Laci's Family Confronts Him, Robert Durst's Murder Conviction Will Be Vacated on Legal Technicality, L.A. Therefore, Michael lives a modest life in Durham, North Carolina. He now believes "maybe everybody's somewhat elusive and changeable and multifaceted. In Lestrades docuseries, she speaks at length about her mental health issues. The pair are believed to have formed a relationship whilst Peterson was in prison and following his release in 2011. At the time, authorities concluded that Elizabeth fell down the stairs after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. In 2002, his film Murder on a Sunday Morning, about the wrongful accusation of a Black teenager for the murder of a tourist in Jacksonville, Florida, took home the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. He was not a friendly columnist. Michael Peterson has mostly stayed out of the spotlight. Todd and Clayton are Michael Peterson's sons from his first marriage to Patricia Peterson. One of the prosecutors in Michael's case, Freda Black, will be played by Parker Posey. The prosecution suggested that Michael killed his wife after they got in a fight supposedly initiated by Kathleen's discovery of more than 2,000 explicit images of men on Michael's computer in addition to emails in conversation with a young male escort he was planning on reuniting with after meeting a few months prior. Although Peterson is out of prison and was granted a manslaughter charge as opposed to the original murder charge that he served nearly eight years in prison for, he maintains his innocence in all matters related to the case. Still, she agreed to meet with Juliette Binoche and told Vanity Fair that her relationship with the actress was an unexpected happy ending to my painful story.". Then I went and realized, no, I can't. Where are the real-life people of 'The Staircase' now? I don't speak French," Peterson admitted to The News & Observer. "He released his archive to Campos, who then created a fictional account of events, most of which trashed me (which I really don't care about) and my children which I really do care about," Peterson told Variety. In an interview with Variety, he fired off numerous criticisms, including HBO's depiction of him eating a pastrami sandwich during his first meeting with Peterson. The couple shared two sons, Clayton Peterson and Todd Peterson. Where does Michael Peterson currently live? In an interview with Vanity Fair, she said that Lestrades The Staircase cost her many job opportunities in the documentary world, including at Netflix. Above (L-R): Tim Guinee, Sophie Turner, Colin Firth, Olivia DeJonge, Patrick Schwarzenegger appear as the Peterson family in "The Staircase" on HBO Max. (The house was on the market for $1.9 million, according to ABC 11 News.). Together they had two sons Clayton and Todd Peterson before removing to Germany. Michael and Patricia parted after she died due to a massive heart attack in July 2021. As the first iteration of "The Staircase" detailed, Kathleen was found at the bottom of the titular staircase in the couple's Durham mansion in 2001, an incident which immediately raised the hackles of local law enforcement, who believed her death was the result of homicide on the part of her husband. Where is Peterson's Durham house? Peterson's adopted daughters, Margaret and Martha, live in California .