'The Staricase': The Bizarre Truth Behind Kathleen's Death, Her Husband's Trial And Where Is He Now?

Kathleen Peterson is one of the most bizarre stories ever documented in the entertainment world. The Staircase is an HBO Max original and premiered in 2022. However, Netflix has now brought the series back, keeping the mystery of Kathleen's tragic demise alive. Colin Firth has done an impeccable role at portraying 'Michael Peterson', the novelist who was convicted of murdering his wife, 'Kathleen Peterson', played by Toni Collette.

The real-life tragedy occurred in December 2001 in Durham and has garnered immense media attention due to its offbeat nature. The case unraveled when Kathleen was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in their home. The 10-episode series was eventually picked up by Netflix, further increasing interest in the trial and the Peterson family. However, how did the novelist become the prime suspect in the case?  Let's find out.

Is The Staircase based on a true story?

For those who are not aware, The Staircase is indeed based on a true story. The HBO series was inspired by a French docuseries of the same name. The Staircase creator, Antonio Campos, once reflected on what inspired him to write the story during a conversation with Variety and stated:

"It just felt like one of the best true crime stories that I had watched, in part because I recognized that there were so many things in it that were unknowable. Michael Peterson as a central figure was really strong. He was this impenetrable character that was impossible to read, and I immediately leaned in."

Who was Kathleen Peterson?

Before we explore the case, let us introduce you to the victim of the tragedy, Kathleen Peterson. She was born in Greensboro on February 21, 1953. According to her obituary, she was raised in Lancaster and attended Duke University, where she was the first woman admitted to the school of engineering. While at Duke, she met her first husband, Fred Atwater, and the couple had a daughter, Catlin Atwater.

However, their marital bliss soon ended, and Kathleen married Michael Peterson in 1997. According to WRAL, she worked at Nortel Networks as an executive at the time of her death. Kathleen was also a member of the Board of the Durham Arts Council and was involved with the Carolina Ballet and American Dance Festival.

Who is Michael Peterson?

Now that we know who Kathleen Peterson is, let us take a look at the prime suspect: Kathleen's husband. Michael Peterson is a novelist and military veteran who was born in Nashville in 1943. After college, he worked for the U.S. Department of Defense and, while in West Germany, met his first wife, Patricia Sue. They wed in 1968 and had two sons together, Clayton and Todd. The novelist served in the Vietnam War. He became a novelist after his honorable discharge in 1971. According to WFMY, Michael ran for mayor of Durham in 1999.

How did Michael and Kathleen Peterson meet?

Michael and Patrica met and befriended another couple, George and Elizabeth Ratliff, and their two children, Margaret and Martha, in West Germany. Following the deaths of both George and Elizabeth, Michael became the guardian of their kids and eventually moved to Durham, where he got divorced. Margaret and Martha lived with Michael, while Clayton and Todd stayed with Patricia; however, they later moved in with their father. Michael and Kathleen later met and married in 1997.

How did Kathleen Peterson die?

On December 9, 2001, Michael called 911 after finding Kathleen unconscious at the foot of a stairway, slumped in a pool of blood. The night before, they had been celebrating Michael's book, a WWII-era tale based on a true story, as it was being optioned by a Hollywood studio, with drinks. Kathleen eventually went to bed just before 2 a.m., and Michael found her about 30 minutes later. In 2002, he told PEOPLE:

"I can't even remember the last thing I said to her. I wasn't thinking, 'This is the last time I'm going to see her.'"

However, while the demise was initially considered accidental, the autopsy revealed that Kathleen didn't die after a fall but after being attacked. "This was not an accident," Jim Hardin, Durham County District Attorney, said at the time. "There is no question." News reports revealed that the autopsy, conducted by a state medical examiner, indicated that multiple blows to the back of the head killed Kathleen.

Was Michael Peterson arrested for Kathleen Peterson's death?

Days after Kathleen's death, Michael turned himself in for the murder of his wife. He went on trial in 2003, where he maintained his innocence, but was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to prison without possibility of parole. According to The News & Observer, Michael said:

"I've whispered her name more than 1,000 times, and I can't stop crying. I would have never done anything to hurt her. I am innocent of these charges and can't wait to prove it in court."

Where is Michael Peterson now?

Michael Peterson served eight years before his conviction was overturned in 2011 "because of improprieties at the State Bureau of Investigation," according to the News & Observer. Several years later, Michael entered an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter in his wife's death. He was released from custody with credit for the seven-plus years he'd already spent behind bars. Miachel moved in with his ex-wife, Patricia, for two years, until her death in 2021 from a heart attack.

In 2022, he was said to be in a relationship with the editor, Sophie Brunet (Juliette Binoche), who worked on the French docuseries about Michael and his trial. According to Vanity Fair, Sophie worked on the docuseries before getting involved with Michael. She revealed that their relationship never affected her editing. Sophie first reached out to him after he received his life sentence in 2003. They wrote letters back and forth, and after a year, they met in person. The two stayed connected through phone calls and several visits each year.

What are your thoughts on The Staircase and the story of Kathleen Peterson's demise?

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