Born on June 13, 1963, in Glendale Heights, Illinois, Kathleen Savio was the youngest of four children. Her parents, Henry and Marcia Savio, divorced when she was just two years old. After her mother remarried, the family relocated within Illinois, where Kathleen grew up facing financial struggles. Despite these hardships, she remained determined to build a successful future.
Known as “Kitty” by her loved ones, Kathleen pursued a career in accounting. She was charismatic, warm, and had a natural ability to connect with others. Life took an unexpected turn when, at 20 years old, she went on a blind date that would forever alter her fate.
The Man Who Seemed Perfect: Drew Peterson
The man she met that night was Drew Peterson, a police officer with Illinois’ narcotics unit. At first glance, he was charming, confident, and appeared to be an ideal partner.
Born on January 5, 1954, in Bolingbrook, Illinois, Drew Peterson grew up under the strict discipline of his father, Henry, a former U.S. Marine. His mother, Marilyn, raised him alongside his two younger siblings. Drew thrived in high school, excelling in athletics and competition. He also formed his first serious relationship with Carol Brown, whom he later married in 1974 after enlisting in the U.S. Army.
However, after his discharge in 1976, Drew Peterson transitioned into law enforcement. By 1977, he had joined the Bolingbrook police force, and within a year, he was already working undercover in a metropolitan narcotics squad. His career flourished, and by the age of 25, he was honored as “Police Officer of the Year.”
While Drew’s professional life soared, his personal life unraveled. His marriage to Carol ended in 1980 when she discovered his infidelity. Despite sharing two children, she was awarded full custody.
A Pattern of Control and Abuse
Drew Peterson quickly moved on. By 1981, he met and married Victoria “Vicky” Connolly in 1982. Their marriage lasted nearly a decade but was plagued by abuse. Victoria later accused Drew of domestic violence, a claim supported by her daughter, who lived with them until the age of 17.
Disturbing rumors surrounded their relationship, including an alleged incident involving tampered brakes on Victoria’s car, which led to a severe accident. Although no evidence confirmed Drew’s involvement, whispers of his dark side persisted.
During his marriage to Victoria, Drew Peterson began an affair with Kathleen Savio. Unaware that he was still married, Kathleen fell deeply for him. Drew painted his wife as a drug addict and claimed he was in the middle of a divorce. With his charm, expensive gifts, and grand gestures, he convinced Kathleen that he was her perfect match.
A Whirlwind Romance Turns Dark
Just six months into their relationship, Drew Peterson and Kathleen got engaged. On May 3, 1992, shortly after finalizing his divorce, they married. Within two years, they welcomed two children. However, the happy facade quickly faded.
At first, the changes in Drew’s behavior were subtle—harsh words, dismissive remarks, and criticism of Kathleen’s appearance. But over time, his control intensified.
He became verbally abusive, belittling her weight and confidence. Soon, his emotional abuse turned physical. During one heated argument, Kathleen confronted him about his long absences and lack of involvement with their children. Drew responded by grabbing her and shoving her into a table, leaving her battered and bruised. The injuries were so severe that she required medical attention.
Although the hospital documented her wounds, Drew denied responsibility in a televised interview, claiming that, as a police officer, he had to maintain a different standard of behavior to protect his career.
Read more Lured to His Death: The Chilling Plot Against Nick Cameron
A Marriage in Decline
Despite the turmoil in her marriage, Kathleen Savio chose to stay, hoping for stability. But Drew Peterson, as he had done before, was already moving on. His new obsession was Stacy Cales, a young woman nearly 30 years his junior. He made no effort to hide the affair. In a shocking display of disrespect, Drew Peterson brought Stacy into the family home, where he spent the night with her in the basement—while Kathleen and their children slept upstairs.
The Other Woman: Stacy Cales
Born on January 20, 1984, in Downers Grove, Illinois, Stacy Ann Cales grew up under the care of her parents, Anthony and Christine Cales. She was determined and ambitious, graduating high school early and taking a job as a hotel receptionist. It was at this job that she met Drew Peterson, who quickly charmed his way into her life.
For a while, Kathleen remained unaware of the betrayal. But in October 2001, an anonymous letter arrived, detailing her husband’s affair with 17-year-old Stacy. The revelation crushed her. When she confronted Drew, he flatly denied everything. The argument quickly escalated, and in her distress, Kathleen called her sister, sobbing as she described how Drew had thrown her against the refrigerator.
By mid-2002, Drew had moved out. Instead of distancing himself, he chose to live just a few blocks away, a move many believed was meant to provoke Kathleen. Their divorce battle turned bitter, with Kathleen fighting for child support, custody of their children, and a share of Drew’s pension. But Drew Peterson, armed with his status as a police officer, was unwilling to concede anything.
A Life in Constant Fear
The conflict between Kathleen and Drew intensified. The police were called to Kathleen’s home 18 times, each report citing domestic disputes.
One of the most terrifying incidents occurred on July 5, 2002. According to a police report, Drew Peterson shattered glass inside the house and then forced Kathleen to sit on the staircase for hours while he stood over her, holding a knife and threatening to kill her.
Kathleen no longer felt safe. But reporting Drew was nearly pointless—he was a police officer, and the very department handling her complaints was full of his colleagues. More often than not, her reports were dismissed as “domestic disputes,” and no action was taken.
Desperate for protection, Kathleen reached out to the state’s assistant prosecutor on November 14, 2002. In a letter, she detailed Drew’s increasing violence and begged for an emergency protection order before it was too late. She explicitly warned that Drew knew how to manipulate the system and feared that he would either take her children away or kill her.
Her plea was ignored.
Meanwhile, Drew Peterson officially married Stacy Cales on October 18, 2003, shortly after finalizing his divorce from Kathleen. At 49 years old, he had now married a 19-year-old girl. Before long, Stacy gave birth to their first child, embracing her role as a young stepmother—despite being only a few years older than Drew’s eldest son.
A Dark Pattern Repeats
At first, Drew Peterson and Stacy seemed happy. They traveled often, hosted extravagant gatherings, and projected the image of a perfect family. But soon, Stacy began experiencing the same controlling behavior that Kathleen had endured.
Drew monitored her phone calls, tracked her movements, and accused her of unfaithfulness. The warning signs were there, but no one could predict the tragedy that was about to unfold.
The Night Everything Changed
On the evening of March 1, 2004, a concerned neighbor knocked on Kathleen’s door multiple times. When she didn’t answer, he cautiously entered her home—unaware that he was about to make a horrifying discovery.
In the bathtub, Kathleen was found face down, lifeless.
The immediate suspect was, of course, Drew Peterson. But he had an airtight alibi—he was at home with Stacy. According to him, he had spent the previous weekend with his children and returned them to Kathleen on Sunday.
A Suspicious Investigation
Authorities found no signs of forced entry or struggle inside Kathleen’s home. The autopsy revealed bruises on her body and a deep head wound, but strangely, there were no defensive injuries. The most glaring oversight? The bathtub was completely dry when her body was discovered.
Despite these red flags, the authorities ruled Kathleen’s death an accidental drowning without conducting a more thorough investigation.
Another unsettling detail? The lead detective on the case was a close friend of Drew’s. Instead of a real interrogation, their conversation resembled a casual chat between old acquaintances.
Meanwhile, Stacy—still fiercely loyal to Drew—stood by his side, reinforcing his alibi. She insisted they had been home together all weekend.
But in the shadows, a disturbing reality lingered: Kathleen had predicted her own death. She had warned that Drew Peterson would kill her and get away with it.
And for the time being, it seemed she was right.
A Family in Mourning
The sudden and tragic passing of Kathleen Savio left her family devastated. Just days after her death, her loved ones gathered to honor her memory, remembering her as a devoted mother and a kindhearted woman.
Despite their grief, another blow quickly followed—Drew Peterson was granted full custody of the two children he had shared with Kathleen. With Stacy Cales formally adopting them, the new family unit seemed to embody a picture-perfect life.
But behind closed doors, the illusion of a happy household quickly crumbled.
Read more Who Killed Denita Smith? A Deadly Love Triangle Uncovered
A Second Marriage Unravels
As time passed, Drew’s controlling nature resurfaced, becoming even more suffocating. By 2007, Stacy had grown weary of his manipulative behavior and oppressive rules. She started confiding in friends and seriously considered divorce.
Then, on October 28, 2007, Stacy Cales vanished without a trace.
Her sudden disappearance sent shockwaves through her family. Stacy had never displayed any behavior that suggested she would willingly leave her children and loved ones behind. Her relatives immediately launched a desperate search, refusing to give up until they found answers.
But while her family was frantic with worry, Drew Peterson remained disturbingly indifferent.
In a televised interview, he mocked the situation, sarcastically suggesting that Stacy was probably off dancing somewhere or with another man. His dismissive attitude only fueled suspicions that he knew more than he was letting on.
A Pattern of Fear and Control
Stacy’s loved ones did not believe she had left voluntarily. They pointed out a crucial detail—she had told Drew Peterson she wanted a divorce just days before disappearing. Given his history of violent control, many suspected he had refused to let her go.
Sensing the growing scrutiny, Drew attempted to shift the narrative. He insinuated that Stacy had been emotionally unstable, claiming that she had struggled with depression after the loss of her sister in 2006. He suggested that her disappearance was a personal crisis rather than foul play.
Instead of clearing his name, these statements only deepened law enforcement’s concerns. Investigators began questioning whether Kathleen Savio’s death had truly been an accident—or if it had been a carefully orchestrated murder.
A Long-Awaited Investigation
Just weeks after Stacy’s disappearance, the Illinois State Police and the FBI reopened Kathleen’s case. In November 2007, her body was exhumed for a second autopsy.
This time, forensic experts found undeniable evidence of a struggle. The findings contradicted the original report—Kathleen had fought for her life.
Now, Drew Peterson was the prime suspect in the deaths of both his third and fourth wives.
But instead of keeping a low profile, he embraced the media attention. He appeared on talk shows, made arrogant remarks, and seemed to revel in the notoriety.
Then, in January 2008, an unexpected witness stepped forward—someone who had once been one of Drew’s closest allies.
A Brother’s Shocking Revelation
Thomas Peterson, Drew’s own brother, revealed damning details that turned the case on its head.
He claimed that around the time of Stacy’s disappearance, he had helped Drew Peterson remove a large blue container from the house. Several neighbors corroborated this, stating that they too had seen Drew handling the suspicious container.
But that wasn’t all.
Thomas also admitted to helping Drew Peterson make a call from Stacy’s phone, making it appear as though she was at the airport. Shortly after, her vehicle was found abandoned there.
The weight of this evidence could no longer be ignored.
A Murder Charge at Last
While the search for Stacy continued, the investigation into Kathleen’s death gained momentum. On February 21, 2008, her cause of death was officially reclassified from an accident to a homicide.
On May 7, 2009, Drew Peterson was arrested for Kathleen’s murder.
A Trial Fueled by Controversy
Drew’s legal team mounted an aggressive defense, arguing that the lack of direct physical evidence—no fingerprints, DNA, or eyewitnesses—weakened the prosecution’s case.
As the trial unfolded, allegations surfaced that Drew’s status as a police sergeant had resulted in a mishandled investigation. Critics accused law enforcement of favoritism and corruption, questioning why Kathleen’s case had originally been dismissed so easily.
But proving institutional bias was not enough. The prosecution needed a game-changing breakthrough.
Letting Kathleen Speak from Beyond the Grave
In a bold and unprecedented legal maneuver, the prosecution allowed Kathleen’s voice to be heard—through the testimony of those who had known her best.
The first to take the stand was Kathleen’s sister, Susan. Her chilling testimony left the courtroom in stunned silence—Kathleen had once confided in her that Drew had threatened to kill her and make it look like an accident.
Then came Neil, a pastor and marriage counselor who had spoken with Stacy before her disappearance. He testified that Stacy had privately admitted her suspicions about Drew’s involvement in Kathleen’s death. According to him, Stacy had woken up one night to find Drew Peterson missing—right around the time Kathleen was believed to have died.
When Drew Peterson returned, he allegedly asked Stacy to lie for him, providing a false alibi to police.
The courtroom fell silent—it was clear that Stacy had known too much.
Read more Shannon Graves: How Her Killer Almost Got Away With It
A Conviction That Made History
On September 6, 2012, the jury returned with a guilty verdict. Drew Peterson was convicted of Kathleen Savio’s murder and sentenced to 38 years in prison.
Though justice had been served for Kathleen, Stacy Cales was still missing. To this day, her body has never been found.
Despite the lack of closure, one thing is certain—Stacy’s disappearance forced authorities to reexamine Kathleen’s case, ultimately ensuring that her killer did not walk free.
But as long as Stacy remains missing, one haunting question lingers:
Did Drew Peterson truly get away with murder—twice?
The Weight of Testimony
As the trial progressed, disturbing new details emerged, further painting Drew Peterson as a manipulative and dangerous man. It was revealed in court that he had been present during Stacy’s police interview, raising serious concerns that he had pressured her into protecting him.
Adding to the chilling revelations, the lawyer who represented Kathleen during her divorce came forward with crucial information. He testified that Stacy had contacted him just days before she disappeared, seeking legal advice on how to leave Drew safely. During their conversation, she made one terrifying admission—she was convinced Drew had murdered Kathleen.
A Desperate Motive
Prosecutors argued that Drew’s motive for killing Kathleen stemmed from fear. He was terrified that their ongoing divorce could leave him financially ruined.
For three weeks, the jury listened to 44 witnesses recount Kathleen’s desperation and terror. One of her friends testified that Kathleen had been so afraid of Drew that she slept with a knife under her bed for protection.
Despite the powerful testimonies, the case remained circumstantial—there was no physical evidence linking Drew directly to Kathleen’s death.
The Verdict That Shocked the Nation
The jury—comprising seven men and five women—deliberated for 14 hours. Given the lack of direct evidence, many wondered if they would convict.
Before the decision was announced, Drew unexpectedly erupted in anger, shouting that he had not killed Kathleen. His outburst provoked Kathleen’s brother, who yelled back, accusing Drew of murder. Security officers intervened, removing him from the courtroom.
Then, the verdict came:
Drew Peterson was found guilty.
The sentence was swift—38 years in prison, with no possibility of parole.
Despite appearing calm at his sentencing, his demeanor soon changed. His rage was redirected at the prosecutor who secured his conviction.
A Shocking New Crime
As Drew adjusted to life behind bars, tensions within his legal team boiled over. His lead attorney filed an appeal, claiming that Drew’s original defense was mishandled.
Among their grievances was the claim that Drew had been pressured into media appearances before the trial, damaging his case. They also criticized the decision to allow Kathleen’s divorce attorney to testify, a move that had severely weakened their defense.
But every attempt to overturn his conviction failed.
Kathleen had finally received justice, but Stacy remained missing—a haunting mystery that Drew refused to answer for.
Then, in a shocking turn of events, Drew was caught on a recorded prison conversation attempting to orchestrate a murder-for-hire plot against the prosecutor who had led his case.
He offered money to a fellow inmate to carry out the attack.
Despite his lawyers’ efforts to prevent another conviction, the court found him guilty once again, adding 40 more years to his sentence.
Attempts to Rewrite His Fate
Over the years, Drew Peterson continued to proclaim his innocence, filing repeated appeals. His main argument? That the testimonies admitted during his trial violated his constitutional rights.
The most recent legal development came in 2024, when his public defender requested a psychological evaluation as part of an effort to seek a new trial.
A judge ordered the evaluation, and after a mandatory 30-day assessment, the results confirmed:
Drew Peterson was mentally competent to stand trial.
Meanwhile, his former attorney found himself entangled in legal trouble. Facing contempt of court charges, he was accused of violating a gag order by discussing the case in a nationally televised interview. During the interview, he claimed to have information that could reveal what really happened to Stacy.
Though he denied the allegations, the judge reinforced the gag order, forbidding him from speaking publicly about the case.
A Son’s Heartbreaking Defense
In the same year, Drew’s eldest son, Steven, who had followed in his father’s footsteps and become a police officer, publicly broke his silence.
He described Drew as his hero, stating that his father had always been there for him and his brother. The trial and conviction had deeply affected him, leaving him torn between the father he loved and the man the world saw as a murderer.
Unanswered Questions
Despite numerous appeals, Drew remained behind bars.
As for Stacy Cales, her fate remained unknown. Her family refused to give up hope, believing that one day, her body would be found. They remained steadfast in their belief that Drew was responsible for her disappearance—and should be held accountable.
A Case That Changed Public Perception
The Drew Peterson case sparked national debate. At its core, it raised serious questions about law enforcement and accountability.
How had a police officer—sworn to protect the public—become the very danger his loved ones feared most?
And even more chilling—
How many others had suffered at the hands of men like him, protected by the very system meant to stop them?
