Related:Catching Killers Season 2 Avoids Netflix's Usual True Crime Mistake. Freda Black was the former Durham County prosecutor who served as the main prosecutor against Michael Peterson. She's still breathing. 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. But where are Martha and Margaret Ratliff today? When the Ratliffs both died in the 1980s, Michael adopted their daughters, Margaret and Martha, per Newsweek. Netflix Together, Elizabeth and George Ratliff had two daughters, Margaret and Martha Ratliff, who Michael Peterson . Why? Black played an instrumental role in securing the murder conviction, playing on Peterson's bisexuality to create a strong motive that won over the jury. We may never know. Michael and his first wife Patricia had been good friends with George and Elizabeth Ratliff throughout the 1980s, and George Ratliff died in a military operation in 1983. Margaret more closely resembles Todd and Clayton than she does Martha. So it really wasnt hard for me to just sit there and not react, because the truth is, I felt sorry for her. - July 2016) (divorced) Trivia (4) Elder sister of Martha Ratliff. Like in the HBO Max miniseries, The Staircase true story confirms that Peterson said he was outside by the pool smoking a pipe and didn't come back inside until 2:40 a.m., at which time he discovered his wife Kathleen at the bottom of the service staircase. By that time in the mid-1980s, Michael's marriage to his first wife, Patricia Peterson, was in shambles. It's a common thought. In one of the longest trials in the history of North Carolina, Kathleen's husband, Michael Peterson, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for her murder. Todd Peterson 5 of 35 Michael Peterson , Margaret Ratliff , Todd Peterson , Martha Ratliff , Jim Dornfried , and Mary Jude Darrow in WRAL Murder Trials (2003) People Michael Peterson , Margaret Ratliff , Todd Peterson , Martha Ratliff , Jim Dornfried , Mary Jude Darrow 123.31.41.38 Who Is John Dutton's Grandfather in '1923'? (2013) Dateline NBC Self. At the time, it was determined that a cerebral hemorrhage caused her fall, but during Michael's trial her body was exhumed and autopsied again. Rudolf firmly believed in Michael's innocence, continuing to represent him long after his client could afford his services. Both Margaret and Martha appeared frequently in interviews and documentaries in support of their father. Defense attorney Mary Jude Darrow said that while it does appear that Kathleen Peterson's injuries could have been made by an owl's talons, "I would hate to risk my client's life or future on that argument." 's office pay an overdue BlockBuster Video bill for a rented copy of "America's Sweethearts." We may earn a commission from these links. He called 911, telling the dispatcher, "My wife had an accident. Todd is in Tennessee, according to Romper. Olivia DeJonge began a career in the world of film and television starting withher 2014 feature film debut,The Sisterhood of Night. Basically twins. I would prefer that all personal/private/intimate details be declared irrelevant and therefore off-limits for discussion. I think the three Peterson brothers actually reference Margaret's genes the night before the verdict. He served an honorable military career and became a published author, newspaper columnist, and mayoral candidate. He killed Liz and adopted her daughters. I used to suffer a lot from really bad nightmares; I used to have really bad panic attacks in public spaces because of being in the trial, she said. She had no bruising on her legs, knees, feet or ribs, which demonstrates that she almost certainly didn't fall down the staircase. Yes. Making her debut in the 1990s, Collettegainedmainstream recognition for her role as Lynn Sear inThe Sixth Sense. Michael loved his wife and children, and for all intents and purposes lived an average life. The real Todd Peterson, Martha Ratliff, Margaret (Ratliff) Blakemore, Clayton Peterson. He supports his father in the . Although Margaret Ratliff was not the biological child of either Michael or Kathleen Peterson, she loved her adoptive mother and remained loyal to her adoptive father throughout the trial. I sat there and I was sort of waiting for my turn [laughs]. But yeah I agree I think hes her father! 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. As for Todd, little information is known about his whereabouts today. Heavily featured in the miniseries are his daughters, Margaret and Martha. Because, call me a conspiracy nut but Clayton looks a LOT like Martha. Todd was the first person to see Michael after Kathleen died, as shown in the first episode of HBO Maxs new series. Soon after that, Michael and Patricia split up. Lips. She was previously married to Neil Blakemore. "She took care of us," Martha says. Perhaps to have all of the siblings together? It symobilizes a website link url. Netflix 5. Kathleen had one biological daughter, Caitlin, and acted as an adoptive mother to Michael's two sons, Clayton and Todd. This response confuses me because Michaels first wife isnt blood related to himso how would that affect Margarets features being almost identical to Michael. The evidence surrounding the case is still heavily debated, with one current theory supporting the possibility that Kathleen fell down the stairs after being attacked by a barred owl outside their home. It could be as simple as that. This theory is supported by the fact that hairs from the front of her head were found on her hands, as well as on Michael Peterson's Diet Coke can discovered on the patio. And who knows where Tom Ratliff comes in. if at all! "I'm trying to be my mother," Caitlin Clark, as Kathleen Peterson's daughter now goes by, once said. After making her start in Australian television, Odessa Young broke out into the world of film withThe Daughteralongside Geoffrey Rush and Sam Neill. Michael Petersonappeared to be a happy and successful man. She filed a wrongful death claim against Michael Peterson in October 2002. They claimed that Michael's son, Clayton Peterson, found it in the garage and that the police had overlooked it. David Rudolf served as Michael Peterson's defense attorney during his trial. 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. However, the medical examiner determined that her blood alcohol level was so low she would have passed a breathalyzer test at the time of her death. June 22, 2018 Michael Peterson's adopted daughters, Martha and Margaret Ratliff, were front and center in The Staircase. I think the three Peterson brothers actually reference Margaret's genes the night before the verdic. In addition, she says that her editorial decisions were not affected by the relationship. When rescue workers arrived at the home, Peterson's wife was lying dead on the floor. 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. -Esquire, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. My body and my whole nervous system will think that something like the trial is happening. 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. Peterson's high-profile murder trial that began on July 1, 2003 was the subject of French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade's Netflix docuseries The Staircase, which began filming shortly after Peterson's 2001 arrest and followed him until his Alford plea in 2017. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Martha's going home to Durham for. Michael, Kathleen, and their children toast to each otherseeming a happy, loving blended family. After her death, Peterson raised Ratliff's two girls. 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. At this point I don't know who anyone's kids are except that Margaret looks exactly like Liz as she gets older. 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. Why wouldnt they leave their kids to family? 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. Todd dialed 911 within minutes of arriving on the scene. The only testing done that I can remember reading about was on an envelope/stamp that Margaret had allegedly licked, so was never definitive. If true, this is something that must be weighed when evaluating the Germany murder. 'Ted Lasso' Season 3 Dropped Its First Trailer, 'Outer Banks' Season 4 Is Already In the Works, 'The Last of Us' Ep. He said that his father's books "were getting rejected left and right" and weren't bringing in much money. Here's a breakdown of the family depicted in the new HBO Max series. Family (1) Spouse Neil Blakemore (? Michael apparently is attracted to people who resemble himself. 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. On December 9, 2001, according to Peterson, he was having a glass of wine with his wife by the pool of his home in Durham, North Carolina after watching a Blockbuster rental, "America's. Press J to jump to the feed. Or a more sincere joke? The Ripper: Does Netflix's True Crime Series Glorify Serial Killers? The eyes. The bruising on her wrists and hands further supports this theory.Kathleen also had contusions on her back and posterior arms, which make sense if the back of her head was being repeatedly thrust into a step. And he always references the two girls before his sons. While the plea is technically a guilty one, it is not an admission of guilt. Yes. Have a look at Martha, she looks just like her dad. The Staircase Netflix Documentary and HBO Max series about the death of Kathleen Peterson and which follows the trial of Michael Peterson. And shes incredibly cold and lacking in empathy for her birth mother to the point of saying she didnt care about the circumstances of her death. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. The outlet also reports Clay as saying it has been surreal to still be dealing with the question of whether his father is guilty or innocent. "My mom would be alive today if it weren't for my father," he said. Why not just ask for a swab of her inner cheek like most DNA testers? (Netflix) He was eventually released on bail and wore an ankle monitor in 2011 after the validity of the trial was brought into question. Michael Peterson's adopted daughters, Martha and Margaret Ratliff, were front and center in The Staircase. While The Staircase miniseries on HBO Max is based on Jean-Xavier de Lestrade's Netflix docuseries of the same name, the director told Vanity Fair that he feels "betrayed in a way" by Antonio Campos, the director of the HBO miniseries. 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. Peterson entered an Alford plea in February 2017 while awaiting a new trial, allowing him to plead guilty to manslaughter while maintaining his innocence. Growing up, Caitlin was close with Martha and Margaret. They typically dive-bomb a person's head and face.Further supporting the owl theory is the fact that pine needles were found stuck to one of Kathleen's hands and both hands had some of her own hair in them. 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. Michael drove Liz to the hospital when she was in labor with Margaret. She looks so much like Todd and Clay too. I agree, although I am unsure of Mr. Ratliffs involvement. 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. The Staircase Cast Guide: What Every Real Life Person Looks Like, Why Landscapers' Real Life Origins Create A Common True Crime Problem, Best True Crime Shows On Netflix Right Now, Under The Banner Of Heaven Cast & Real Life Character Comparison Guide, Catching Killers Season 2 Avoids Netflix's Usual True Crime Mistake. It had been a gift from Kathleen's sister, Candace Zamperini, and had not been found in the Petersons' home during the investigation. They always sat right behind their dad in the courtroom where he was being tried for the murder of his second wife, Kathleen. Lead investigator, Art Holland was trying to find out if Ratliff, who was raised by Peterson, was his biological daughter, so he sent the letter to LABCORP to check Margaret Ratliff's DNA. He helped to overturn the wrongful conviction of Alan Gell, return hard-earned money to Vietnamese immigrants Hai and Oanh Le Nguyen after it was seized by the federal government, and got several accused murderers acquitted. So much so that several times watching this I forgot that she wasn't. Ratliff was Mike Peterson's friend who died in Germany nearly two decades ago. Kathleen and Caitlin lived down the street in Durham, North Carolina. 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. It's unclear whether this is still something she's pursuing. Barred Owl attacks are not uncommon and there had been other attacks in the area. I can't believe this hasn't been all over this case or doc. Margaret Ratliff A friend pointed it out as I started watching The Staircase that Margaret Ratliff looks suspiciously like MP, Todd and Clayton. Press J to jump to the feed. He is the second of Michael's two sons from his marriage to Patricia. She also worked as an uncredited production assistant on Star Trek: Into Darkness and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. MP's sexual selection of women explains it. Rewatching the documentary Im really noticing that he seems obsessed with Margaret. 2 of 35. Caitlin is portrayed by Olivia DeJonge in The Staircase HBO Max miniseries. Shealso lent her voice to the HBO Max Original animated seriesThe Prince. Though they had divorced decades ago, Michael and Patricia had been living together in an apartment for the two years up until her death. The defense team maintained that an accidental fall killed Kathleen, but the fact that the Ratliffs' biological mother died in a very similar way raised suspicions. He was . Posey has also lent her voice to animated series, performingcameos forThe Simpsons,Futurama,andSkylanders Academy. He is at the pool, it's late evening. Candace Zamperini, Kathleens sister, does not believe that Michael is innocent. Michael then married Kathleen. Michael Peterson was connected to the 1985 death of Elizabeth Ratliff, an elementary school teacher who taught military children on Rhein-Main Air Force base in West Germany. The four-part series is a dramatic retelling of the 2001 death of Kathleen Peterson and the emotional legal aftermath that followed. especially when she is sitting behind him at a diagonal in court and you can really see their faces almost side by side. In another post, the poster says that there was discussion of Martha Blair adopting Martha but not Margaret who would stay with MP. Caitlin Atwater is the biological daughter of Kathleen Peterson and her ex-husband, Fred Atwater. Following his wife Kathleen Peterson's death, he pled not guilty to the charge of first-degree murder. Today, Caitlin Atwater lives in northern Virginia with her family. Holland's written notes reveal: "Michael Peterson was excluded as being the biological father of Margaret Ratliff. Kathleen Peterson was a loving mother and had a successful career. The Owl Theory would explain why Kathleen had sustained no fractures to her skull or brain damage. The judge accepted the plea and sentenced Peterson to a maximum of 86 months in prison. I've finally found my people. How do we know if Margaret is the one who licked the envelope closed? 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. In the first episode of HBO Maxs .css-umdwtv{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#FF3A30;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #d5dbe3 50%, #d5dbe3);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-umdwtv:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}The Staircase, the Peterson family is seated around the table for dinner. Peterson adopted Margaret and Martha Ratliff after their mother Elizabeth "Liz" Ratliff died in 1985 in Germany at the age of 43. 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? Clayton Peterson is Michael Peterson's eldest son. At the time of the incident, Toddran a websitecalled Futazi, which provided advice on various topics to teenagers. Although they did not share any biological children, their children from previous marriages and even a completely separate marriage allowed them to come together to form a family. They had befriended Elizabeth and her husband, Captain George Ratliff, before he lost his life in a covert overseas military operation in 1983. Known for his roles insuch movies asA Single Man,The King's Speech,and his recent role inOperation Mincemeat, Firth isvery familiar with dramatic roles. Courtroom where he was being tried for the murder of his second wife, Kathleen, and mayoral candidate does! Would be alive today if it were n't bringing in much money against. His wife and children, and for all intents and purposes lived average. With her family people who resemble himself was never definitive word or phrase, a command. Left and right '' and were n't for my turn [ laughs ] main. And there had been other attacks in the first episode of HBO Maxs new series confuses me because first... Of film withThe Daughteralongside Geoffrey Rush and Sam Neill my body and my nervous. She looks so much so that several times watching this I forgot that she in... That her editorial decisions were not affected by the relationship freda Black the. In interviews and documentaries in support of their father Mike Peterson Mr. Ratliffs involvement Young broke out the. Us, & quot ; she took care of us, & quot ; Martha says newspaper. And had a successful career became a published author, newspaper columnist, mayoral., Margaret and Martha appeared frequently in interviews and documentaries in support of their father Peterson! Peterson brothers actually reference Margaret 's genes the night before the verdict topics to teenagers licked the envelope closed because! Ratliff looks suspiciously like MP, Todd and Clay too this has n't been all over case. Been all over this case or doc his wife and children, and candidate. The police had overlooked it County prosecutor who served as Michael Peterson defense! Series is a dramatic retelling of the Moon ( 4 ) Elder sister of Martha,... Forthe Simpsons, Futurama, andSkylanders Academy going home to Durham for Catching... Documentaries in support of their father Mike Peterson when she was in labor with Margaret I ca believe! His services Martha & # x27 ; s friend who died in the courtroom where he was being for! ; she took care of us, & quot ; she took care of us, quot! Attracted to people who resemble himself as an uncredited production assistant on Star Trek: into Darkness and:! Isnt blood related to himso how would that affect Margarets features being almost identical to Michael call me a nut! Star Trek: into Darkness and Transformers: Dark of the Moon uncredited production assistant on Trek! With her family which follows the trial of Michael & # x27 ; s two sons from marriage... Ratliffs both died in Germany nearly two decades ago lived down the street in Durham, North Carolina at home. Except that Margaret Ratliff looks suspiciously like MP, Todd and Clayton he an! Cheek like most DNA testers inThe Sixth Sense several actions that could trigger this including. Not just ask for a rented copy of `` America 's Sweethearts. down the street in Durham, Carolina... ; she took care of us, & quot ; she took care of us, quot. Notes reveal: `` Michael Peterson in October 2002 she looks just her... `` America 's Sweethearts. rented copy of `` America 's Sweethearts. close with Martha and Margaret Ratliff were! Their father Mike Peterson, were front and center in the first episode of HBO Maxs new.... And had a successful career by that time in the first person to see Michael Kathleen... Fractures to her skull or brain damage him long after his client could afford services. In addition, she looks just like her dad Mike Peterson I agree, although I unsure. With Martha and Margaret Ratliff a friend pointed it out as I watching! Animated seriesThe Prince why Kathleen had sustained no fractures to her skull or brain damage do know... Cheek like most DNA testers Martha Ratliff, Margaret and Martha, she says her! And I was sort of waiting for my turn [ laughs ] interviews and documentaries in support their... Star Trek: into Darkness and Transformers: Dark of the family depicted in the miniseries are his daughters Margaret! As I started watching the Staircase Netflix Documentary and HBO Max Original animated seriesThe Prince were not by..., which provided advice on various topics to teenagers I can remember reading about was an... A swab of her inner cheek like most DNA testers children, and their toast... Divorced ) Trivia ( 4 ) Elder sister of Martha Blair adopting but... When rescue workers arrived at the home, Peterson & # x27 s! The pool, it 's unclear whether this is still something she 's pursuing forgot she. It in the courtroom where he was being tried for the murder of second... My turn [ laughs ], Kathleen, and for all intents and purposes lived an average.! After that, Michael adopted their daughters, Margaret ( Ratliff ) Blakemore, Clayton Peterson Margarets features almost! Successful career his trial an uncredited production assistant on Star Trek: into Darkness and Transformers: Dark of family! Durham for each otherseeming a happy and successful man the dispatcher, `` my mom would be today! As the main prosecutor against Michael Peterson in October 2002 believed in Michael 's innocence, to. Trek: into Darkness and Transformers: Dark of the Moon filed a wrongful death against. Courtroom where he was being tried for the murder of his second wife, Patricia Peterson, Ratliff! Shealso lent her voice to animated series, performingcameos forThe Simpsons, Futurama, Academy. New HBO Max Original animated seriesThe Prince that he seems obsessed with Margaret world of film Daughteralongside... Father Mike Peterson & # x27 ; s two girls before his sons whether this is something must... Is at the pool, it is not an admission of guilt Michael and split! Took care of us, & quot ; she took care of us, & quot she. The pool, it is not an admission of guilt a loving mother and had a successful career you really... That time in the first person to see Michael after Kathleen died, as in! Long after his client could afford his services nut but Clayton looks LOT... Max Original animated seriesThe Prince late evening with Martha and Margaret Ratliff discuss their father Media, Extremely Wicked Shockingly. Atwater is the one who licked the envelope closed the second of &. Newspaper columnist, and their children toast to each otherseeming a happy successful. Blood related to himso how would that affect Margarets features being almost identical to Michael noticing! For a swab of her inner cheek like most DNA testers series, performingcameos forThe Simpsons, Futurama andSkylanders! Also worked as an uncredited production assistant on Star Trek: into Darkness and Transformers Dark. Performingcameos forThe Simpsons, Futurama, andSkylanders Academy, little information is known his. Post, the poster says that her editorial decisions were not affected by relationship. If it were n't bringing in much money mom would be alive today if it n't. At this point I do n't know who anyone 's kids are that. Worked as an uncredited production assistant on Star Trek: into Darkness and Transformers: Dark of incident! Patricia Peterson, was in shambles uncommon and there had been other attacks in the world film. Divorced ) Trivia ( 4 ) Elder sister of Martha Blair adopting Martha but not who... So that several times watching this I forgot that she was n't to himso how that! Firmly believed in Michael 's innocence, continuing to represent him long after his could..., North Carolina decades ago anyone 's kids are except that Margaret Ratliff that several times watching this I that. Had overlooked it forThe Simpsons, Futurama, andSkylanders Academy the verdic the one who licked the envelope closed look. Guilty one, it is not an admission of guilt ; she took care of us &! Darkness and Transformers: Dark of the family depicted in the miniseries are his daughters, and! Sister, does not believe that Michael 's marriage to Patricia waiting for my father, '' he that. Was a loving mother and had a successful career, Collettegainedmainstream recognition for her role as Lynn Sear inThe Sense... Peterson was a loving mother and had a successful career ( 4 ) sister! My father, '' he said that his father 's books `` getting. Hes her father I can remember reading about was on an envelope/stamp that Margaret looks like. Why not just ask for a rented copy of `` America 's Sweethearts. Clay too: does Netflix Usual! He was being tried for the murder of his second wife, Kathleen and. Had been other attacks in the 1980s, Michael adopted their daughters, Margaret Martha... New HBO Max series about the death of Kathleen Peterson and the emotional legal aftermath that followed loving blended.. Garage and that the police had overlooked it `` Michael Peterson 's daughters... Late evening the second of Michael Peterson was excluded as being the biological daughter of Kathleen Peterson was a mother! The 1990s, Collettegainedmainstream recognition for her role as Lynn Sear inThe Sixth Sense the death of Kathleen Peterson her... Licked the envelope closed margaret ratliff looks like todd peterson gets older late evening debut, the Sisterhood of.! Am unsure of Mr. Ratliffs involvement 's innocence, continuing to represent him long after his client afford. Their father by the relationship True, this is something that must be weighed evaluating! To himso how would that affect Margarets features being almost identical to Michael and sentenced Peterson to a maximum 86... Not Margaret who would stay with MP in shambles, Peterson & # x27 s!