Liz names Michael and Patty in her willas the custodians of her daughters despite having two living sisters. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. His bond restrictions were eased in July 2014.As we explored The Staircase fact vs. fiction, we discovered that he remained on bail until February 2017 when he entered an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter. Disturbing. Todd Peterson with father Michael Peterson in an undated photo, left; Patrick Schwarzenegger as Todd on HBO's "The Staircase," right. An initial autopsy ruled her death an "accident." . Holland's written notes reveal: "Michael Peterson was excluded as being the biological father of Margaret Ratliff. As for Todd, little information is known about his whereabouts today. Neither has public social media accounts, and many of the details of their personal lives are similarly private. The circumstances in which their mother died. Todd is played by Patrick Schwarzenegger, the son of Hollywood legend Arnold, whose screen credits include Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, Moxie and Scream Queens. DeWitt also starred in the 2015 Poltergeist remake. They commented in a episode how similar Elizabeth and Patty looked around the time of her death. Just because state had her tested, just because they may have used a competent third party lab, and just because the defense is clinging to the fact that the results were negative, there is no proof that Margaret licked either the stamp or envelope. Netflix Together, Elizabeth and George Ratliff had two daughters, Margaret and Martha Ratliff, who Michael Peterson . Todd is in Tennessee, according to Romper. Why not just ask for a swab of her inner cheek like most DNA testers? According to Michael's son, Todd Peterson, his father was indeed broke at the time of Kathleen's death. Streamlined nose. From the psychological horrorA Cure for Wellnessto the space operaValerian and the City of a Thousand Planetsto playing the villainous Green Goblin inThe Amazing Spider-Man 2,DeHaan hasactedin a wide spectrum of roles. Who Is John Dutton's Grandfather in '1923'? - July 2016) (divorced) Trivia (4) Elder sister of Martha Ratliff. Here is a look at how the real Michael Peterson, Kathleen Peterson, and other persons involved in the case compare physically to the actors portraying them in HBO Max'sThe Staircase. I thought that was the weirdest exchange Was he implying that Elizabeth had been a show-girl, or something of the sort? She said that the Alford plea he eventually submitted was meaningless. Police said Peterson told 911 operators his wife had been injured in a fall. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. It had been a gift from Kathleen's sister, Candace Zamperini, and had not been found in the Petersons' home during the investigation. lol, I just made a thread titled "Margaret looks exactly like Clayton" then I saw this and deleted it. Like most of his siblings, Clayton remained loyal to his father during the murder trial and prison sentence, just as his fatherhad been loyal to him. However, he was given credit for time already served, which amounted to more than the sentence (98.5 months), so he was freed. His, Todd's, and Margaret's very strong resemblance is what tipped the scales for me. Peterson admitted that he had affairs with both men and women when he was married to his first wife, Patricia Peterson. "I'm trying to [pass on the way I grew up] to my kids. She could well be his first biological daughter. I just recently found out MP was friends with Tom Radliff (Liz's George's brother) and was still in touch with him at the time of Kathleen's death. The Kathleen Peterson murder case was also explored by a number of popular American true-crime television series, includingForensic Files, Dateline NBC, andCold Case. In 2017, he was granted a new trial, and just last year, Peterson took an Alford plea to the reduced charge of manslaughter. The movie was rented on December 9, 2001. In addition, she says that her editorial decisions were not affected by the relationship. Because, call me a conspiracy nut but Clayton looks a LOT like Martha. So, where is Todd Peterson today? David Rudolf served as Michael Peterson's defense attorney during his trial. Today, Martha lives in Colorado and Margaret lives in California. Cosmopolitan also reported that Margaret married Neil Blakemore and goes by the name Margaret Blakemore now. Yes. Also, Patty goes back to Germany with Clayton and Todd but not the girls. It should also be noted that Colin Firth is not as physically imposing as the real Michael Peterson was, who certainly had the strength to confidently commit the murder without a weapon. Michael tucked Margaret and Martha in at night after the Peterson-Ratliff dinners at the Ratliff house. I'm innocent. They had befriended Elizabeth and her husband, Captain George Ratliff, before he lost his life in a covert overseas military operation in 1983. No but there are a LOT of secrets between everyone that's for sure. I thought she looked like his biological daughter too. The real Todd Peterson, Martha Ratliff, Margaret (Ratliff) Blakemore, Clayton Peterson. Seems like something to be explored. What if Michael and the girls father were homosexual lovers? Colin Firth is a well-established actor in the world of film and television. He is not the father, as Maury would say. Like Caitlin Atwater, Candace Hunt Zamperini firmly believed that Michael had caused the death of Kathleenher sister. His time already served allowed him to walk away a free man. I think the three Peterson brothers actually reference Margaret's genes the night before the verdict. She filed a wrongful death claim against Michael Peterson in October 2002. It symobilizes a website link url. In 2009, the "Owl Theory" was introduced by a former neighbor of Michael Peterson, Durham attorney T. Lawrence Pollard, in an attempt to prove that Michael wasn't responsible for his wife Kathleen Peterson's death. Three of his novels were inspired by his time serving in the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Marine Corps. But I wouldnt say I worry about my dad. where are Martha and Margaret Ratliff today? DeWitt is best known for her roles in television series likeStandoff, in whichshe co-starred alongside her future husband, Ron Livingston, andThe United States of Tara. It was Elizabeth Ratliffs death, which occurred not long after George Ratliffs death, that became a turning point in Michaels case. Michael apparently is attracted to people who resemble himself. The judge accepted the plea and sentenced Peterson to a maximum of 86 months in prison. Michael drove Liz to the hospital when she was in labor with Margaret. The Staircase Netflix Documentary and HBO Max series about the death of Kathleen Peterson and which follows the trial of Michael Peterson. She'd join them for dinner and Michael would help her with various chores.In researching The Staircase true story, we learned that in late November 1985, Elizabeth and the Petersons had dinner at Elizabeth's home. The Staircase true story reveals that Michael Peterson and Kathleen Atwater, a telecommunications executive, were introduced to each other by Michael's adopted daughters, Margaret and Martha, who were playmates of Kathleen's daughter, Caitlin. Thats mostly what I felt., Describing Candaces demeanor in the series, Refinery 29 states, Candace lacks Petersons sense of gallows humor and Rudolfs laid back contemplation. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. I sort of knew at some point she was going to turn her ire on me! (2013-2017) WRAL Murder Trials Self - Audience Member / Self. Initially, German officials ruled. According to public record, Michael and Kathleen purchased their mansion in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Durham for $600,000 in 1992. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Martha tells her it was a brain aneurysm, and that Patricia Peterson had been a mother to her, but mostly it was Kathleen. Did you see this photo? Michael then married Kathleen. The prosecution asserted that the murder weapon was a missing blow poke, a fireplace tool similar to a metal fire iron except that a blow poke is hollow so that you can blow through it to send oxygen to precise points of the fire. The hemorrhage caused her to fall down the stairs. Candace has remained outspoken about her beliefs, appearing in frequent interviews and documentaries to tell her side of the story. Would love your thoughts, please comment. But yeah I agree I think hes her father! He served an honorable military career and became a published author, newspaper columnist, and mayoral candidate. Stuhlbarg has alsoplayedroles in various television series, including Sy Feltz inFargoand Richard Sackler inDopesick. Apologies I just finished watching and maybe I missed something. But yes, there are tons of threads in this sub covering how Margaret looks like Michael. Todd says that his father is not only responsible for Kathleen Peterson and Elizabeth Ratliff's deaths, he is also responsible for the death of Patricia Peterson, Todd's mother and his father's first wife who passed away in July 2021 after suffering a massive heart attack. Later, Kathleen's sister, Candace, said that the blow poke produced by the defense was not the one she had gifted the Petersons, which was still missing. This is one of the motives put forward in the HBO Max miniseries, as it was in real life. Yes. ", It remains unclear whether the BlockBuster bill was ever paid, who paid it or exactly how large the bill was. Though they had divorced decades ago, Michael and Patricia had been living together in an apartment for the two years up until her death. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Since then, shehas appeared inmovies across a wide variety of genres, such asRian Johnson's KnivesOut, as well asLittle Miss SunshineandHereditary. Though Martha and Margaret struggled with allowing their biological mother to be exhumed, the information didn't alter their opinion of Michael. The series follows the trial of Michael Peterson, who was convicted of murdering his wife, Kathleen Peterson, in 2003. Michael Peterson Is Writing. In trial, according to the AP News, Zamperini described Petersons account of Kathleens death as a fictionalized story. The Staircase Netflix Documentary and HBO Max series about the death of Kathleen Peterson and which follows the trial of Michael Peterson. The most baffling aspect, though, is that a similar 1985 demise of Elizabeth Ratliff is what led to Michael gaining custody of his daughters, Margaret and Martha Ratliff so lets find out more about them, shall we? 'Ted Lasso' Season 3 Dropped Its First Trailer, 'Outer Banks' Season 4 Is Already In the Works, 'The Last of Us' Ep. -Esquire. Per The News & Observer, Clay Peterson has two children and lives in Maryland. As is portrayed in the HBO Max miniseries, the story was firstchronicled in a French documentary,also called The Staircase,whichwas later followed up whentwo new episodes were added to the original eight in 2013. Lips. Althoughshe supported him in the beginning, autopsy photos of her mother's body turned her into a key witness for the prosecution. Yes, The Staircase on HBO Max is based on a true story. The medical examiner, Deborah Radisch, concluded that Kathleen Peterson's injuries revealed that she had been bludgeoned to death and had sustained seven deep lacerations to the top and back of her scalp. In this video, Martha and Margaret Ratliff discuss their father Mike Peterson. especially when she is sitting behind him at a diagonal in court and you can really see their faces almost side by side. This response confuses me because Michaels first wife isnt blood related to himso how would that affect Margarets features being almost identical to Michael. Assistant North Carolina medical examiner Deborah Radisch determined that "the manner of death in Mrs. Ratliff's case was homicide," per CNN. In a 2021 video, Todd said that Kathleen once told Michael that she believed that people have three major romantic relationships during their lives as they age, and she indicated that she was currently in her second, implying that she and Michael would not remain together much longer. As the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Patrick Schwarzenegger is no stranger to Hollywood. In researching how accurate is The Staircase on HBO Max, we confirmed that this was the argument put forward by the defense. In 2007, according to the AP, Atwater reached a $25 million wrongful death settlement, though he did not acknowledge any guilt in the case. "We gave [Antonio Campos] all the access he wanted, and I really trusted the man," says Lestrade. Per Todd's Instagram, he's the president and founder of American Industries . When Michael and Patricia moved to Germany in the 1980s, they were friends and neighbours with Margaret and Martha's parents, George and Elizabeth Ratliff. Autopsy reports determined that she died from an intra-cerebral hemorrhage as well as the blood disorder Von Willebrands disease. I'm about 95% sure Michael is her real father. Rudolf specializes in covering high-profile cases. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Also found in the hair in her hand was a sliver of wood from a tree limb. After Peterson was freed in 2017, Caitlin's lawyer filed another complaint against him. Born two years apart to Air Force Captain George Ratliff and military teacher Elizabeth Ratliff in Germany in the early 1980s, Margaret and Martha lost both their biological parents as toddlers. He is probably the strongest person that Ive ever met.. So why does she look like him? The Ratliff sisters, Margaret and Martha lived quite a good life due to their parents' influence while their respective net worth still intrigues the public today. Rosemarie DeWitt has appeared in many films and television series throughout her career, ranging from horror to comedy. Have a look at Martha, she looks just like her dad. Lauren Kranc is the assistant content strategy editor at Esquire, where she runs the brands social media accounts and covers pop culture and television, with entirely too narrow an expertise on true crime shows, .css-gk9meg{display:block;font-family:Lausanne,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-top:0.25rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-gk9meg:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.15;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 73.75rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}Celebrities Who Voice Cartoon Characters, 'The Mandalorian' Season 3 is About to Commence, The Underworld Crossover of the Century Is Coming. Growing up, Caitlin was close with Martha and Margaret. Since he is the son of his own mother, he can look like his mom. Wait - there was a DNA test done in Margaret? Michael drove Liz to the hospital when she was in labor with Margaret. Margaret and Martha Ratliff were adopted by Michael Peterson after their mothers death, and actually introduced him to his next wife Kathleen, who was their friend Caitlins mother. Pollard had not previously been involved in the case. The prosecution also brought up how Martha and Margaret Ratliff's mother Elizabeth, a friend of Michael, had been found dead at the bottom of a staircase too. Michael Peterson was the guardian of Margaret and her sister Martha, played by The Stands Odessa Young . Bustle quotes her as saying about the trials she experienced, The only thing that I have to say about the trial and all the subsequent fallout is that, if there was any closure to possibly come from all of this, it came after sitting through the entire trial and listening day after day to all the evidence on both sides, she said. Michael knows about Liz collecting Rosenthal wine glasses which he still has in his home. DeJonge is also slated to star inBaz Luhrmann's ElvisbiopicportrayingPriscilla Presley. I'm not sure if I heard any of this correctly so would love someone else's take on this. It could be as simple as that. (2013) Dateline NBC Self. Yes. Peterson adopted Margaret and Martha Ratliff after their mother Elizabeth "Liz" Ratliff died in 1985 in Germany at the age of 43. Anyone have any theories as to whether or not she's actually a Peterson/potential motivation for the death (murder?) , 2001 missed something that was the argument put forward by the defense blood Von! 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