Photo: Courtesy of HBO Max
HBO Max is tellingthe true story of Kathleen Peterson’s tragic and mysterious death.
The Staircase, which is set to hit the streamer on May 5, stars Colin Firth as Michael Peterson, anovelist who was convicted of murdering his wifeKathleen Peterson (Toni Collette) after she was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in their home.
The real-life tragedy took place in December 2001 in Durham, North Carolina, and has gained media attention in recent years due to the mysterious nature of the case.
Before HBO Max’s show, the story was developed into a French limited docuseries through BBC’sStoryville, spanning several spinoffs as Michael Peterson’s case continued to evolve.
Ahead ofThe Staircaserelease, here’s abreakdown of the true story behind it.
How did Michael and Kathleen Peterson meet?
Netflix
Before Kathleen,Michael was married to an elementary school teachernamed Patty whom he met while living in Germany. Together, they had two children, Clayton and Todd. While living in the Western European country, Michael and Patty met and befriended another couple, George and Elizabeth Ratliff, and their two children, Margaret and Martha.
Michael and Kathleen met in 1986. At the time, they were both still married and Kathleen had a daughter of her own named Caitlin. The couple lived together for 10 years before their respective divorces were finalized, and the two were wed in 1997.
How did Kathleen Peterson die?
Though authorities initially considered the death accidental, the autopsy report later led investigators to believe that Kathleen died not after a fall but after being attacked. “This was not an accident,” says Durham County D.A. Jim Hardin at the time. “There is no question.”
Was Michael Peterson arrested for Kathleen Peterson’s death?
Days after Kathleen’s death on Dec. 9, 2001, Michael was charged with murder. Michael later went on trial in 2003, where he maintained that he was innocent.
On. Oct. 10, 2003,Michael was found guiltyof the murder of Kathleen and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
He served time for eight years before his conviction was overturned in 2011 “because of improprieties at the State Bureau of Investigation,” according tothe News & Observer.
Several years later in February 2017,Michael entered an Alford pleato 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.
Where is Michael Peterson now?
AP/REX/Shutterstock
According to local media outlets,Michael is currently 78 years oldand still resides in Durham.News & Observeradds thatMichael also wrote a book, independently published in January 2019, titledBehind the Staircase, which chronicles his life since Kathleen’s death, including his time in prison.
source: people.com
