It's in this house that novelist Michael Peterson called the police on 9th December 2001, claiming to have discovered his wife, Kathleen Peterson, lying dead at the bottom of the back staircase. No, not that staircase. In the film, made long before the popular Hulu series, the Colonial masks as the supposed Republic of Gilead residence belonging to Commander Fred (Robert Duvall) and his wife, Serena Joy (Faye Dunaway), where handmaid Kate (Natasha Richardson) is placed. This type of plea allows the accused to maintain their innocence while also acknowledging that the prosecution likely has sufficient evidence to convict. The house first appears in the mission given to Franklin Clinton by Simeon Yetarian, Complications. He had no problem with us shooting conversations with him and David, or with the . Dirt is a part of Penske Media Corporation. This means that the person accused of murder can admit that there's enough evidence to convict them, but not admit guilty for committing the crime. In 2017, Peterson was granted a new trial, following his being released and placed on house arrest in 2011, after Duane Deaver, a key witness that cemented his conviction, was fired for multiple . The result, a fascinating 13-episode docuseries named The Staircase, is an unparalleled look at our legal system, the makings of a defense and the behind-the-scenes goings-on of a major criminal trial. Per The News & Observer, Petersons defense left him indigent. It sold the following year to medium Biond Fury (I shudder to think about the seances that took place there during his tenure! A large fountain near the pool when the Petersons lived there seems to have been removed. While there have been several retellings of the chilling case, like Netflix's take on it in 2018, HBO Max's rendition strives to reveal untold sides and different angles of the harrowing story, with Colin Firth as the lead. It was at the seemingly idyllic. Duane Deaver, a blood splatter expert, had testified that the evidence pointed towards murder. In 2018, Fury launched a GoFundMe campaign to help him pay for his own repairs, only to later list the home at a price of $1.9 million in 2020. The former home of novelist Michael Peterson, where his wife was found dead at the bottom of the back staircase, has hit the market in North Carolina for $1.9million. Female Population is 47.9%. There are 19 rooms in total. The comments below have not been moderated, By The theory asserts that a Barred Owl, a species common in Durham, got entangled in Kathleens hair causing serious injuries and removing part of her scalp, causing her to fall to her death down the stairs. In an odd twist, before the Petersons called the place home, it was featured in the 1990 dystopian drama The Handmaids Tale, based upon Margaret Atwoods 1985 novel of the same name. Defense attorney David Rudolf talked toOxygenabout Michaels current living situation: He is living in Durham Im not sure why hes living in Durham, but he is. Reprieve for Michael came in the form of prosecutorial impropriety, which forced the judge to grant him a new trial in 2011. The Staircaseis set to return to our screens as a HBO Max series. A Whimsical Sausalito Houseboat Stars on The Last Thing He Told Me, Londons Most Historic Polish Restaurant Plays Olas on Ted Lasso, Gina Rodriguez Channels the Other Side at Pasadenas Historic Brookmore Apartments on Not Dead Yet, See Inside the Former House of Michael Peterson, A Whimsical Sausalito Houseboat Stars on 'The Last Thing He Told Me', Rapper The Kid Laroi Spends Millions on Rockstar-Worthy LA Home. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. With more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie novel, her killing and the investigation that followed are confounding to say the least. October 15, 2020 4:56 pm PT. According to Detective Art Holland of Durham police, Kathleen was "splayed out on the floor, her head resting on the landing of a back staircase" details that sparked suspicion due to the awfully close similarities to Elizabeth's death in 1985. There are strange true crime cases and there are those that are downright bizarre. "My wife had an accident," says a frantic Michael Peterson. He was sentenced to time served and is today a free man. He was released from prison, sentenced to time already served. The death of Kathleen Peterson falls into the latter category. In 2001, Kathleen was found unconscious at the bottom of their staircase in Durham, North Carolina and was pronounced dead. While living together, Michael and Patricia became close with their neighbors-turned-friends George and Elizabeth Ratliff. Photos accompanying the listing on the real estate site Redfin show a renovated home with refinished hardwood floors, an updated kitchen and beautiful spiral staircase. The defense, however, disputed that Kathleen was accepting of Michael's bisexuality and that the blow poke (a hollow tube instead of a solid metal stick) he allegedly used to strike her suffered no damage, nor had any remnants of blood on it. Furthermore, please leave your thoughts and comments below. Furthermore, please leave your thoughts and comments below. Hes in a ground floor apartment with no stairs that was really important accommodation.. Tax records show that the current owner is Biond Fury, a clairvoyant and medium from New York. There are no photos of the back staircase where Kathleen died, and a photo of the backyard shows the swimming pool to be drained. He was arrested just 11 days later. Today Peterson still lives in Durham and wrote a book in January 2019 entitled Behind the Staircase, which chronicles his life since Kathleens death including his time in prison. But severe cracks in their foundation came to light following Michaels arrest and during his subsequent lengthy trial. Michael donates the proceeds from his book to charity as he wouldnt be allowed to keep them for himself. There are strange true crime cases and there are those that are downright bizarre. Michael Peterson was sentenced to life in prison in 2003 for the murder of Kathleen Peterson. The death of 48-year-old executive Kathleen Peterson and the trial of her husband, author Michael Peterson, spawned a hit documentary miniseries, The Staircase. The story, centered on whether Michael murdered his wife in their stunning Colonial in Durham, is the basis for a forthcoming HBO Max limited series of the same name to premiere on Thursday. We all know that these characters have names of living people, but its very carefully calibrated to tell the story in a certain way. Additionally, there is a population of 276,341. It was a huge financial blow to Michael. Freda Black, who served as assistant prosecutor in Mike Peterson's 2003 murder trial, was found dead in her Durham home Sunday . A lot of times, people with infamous properties start optimistic and gradually start to home in on something more realistic, says Bell. See Inside the Former House of Michael Peterson, Viewers veto judges' votes on dj vu-inducing top 12 'American Idol' episode, Ashley Judd reflects on mom Naomi's 'irreplaceable loss' a year after the country star's death, Michael J. All Rights Reserved. Michael Peterson told police he was sitting by the pool at 1810 Cedar St. on the night of Dec. 9, 2001, and when he went inside around 2:30 a.m., he found his wife at the bottom of a back staircase, where she bled to death. According to tax records the current owner is Biond Fury, a clairvoyant and medium from New York, who purchased the home for $1.3million in 2008. Michael's wife was found lying in a pool of blood at the bottom of a staircase in the couple's residence. Just before it was slated to begin, in 2017, Peterson entered a plea to a new manslaughter charge. On Dec. 9, 2001, novelist Michael Peterson found his wife, Kathleen, dead at the bottom of the back staircase. Whether Kathleen Peterson was the victim of a terrible accident, a random owl attack, or murder at the hands of her husband has been the stuff of tabloid fodder ever since. There are strange true crime cases and there are those that are downright bizarre. She also taught journalism courses at several New York City colleges. It belongs to Aurangabad Division . There were several twists and turns throughout the case. After the movie, at around 11 p.m., the couple opted to hang outside by the pool, despite the. This article was originally published on June 8, 2018, The Subject Of Netflix's 'The Nurse' Denies Her Attempted Murder Convictions, Heres When You Can Find Out How The Final 'Succession' Episode Ends, Matthew Rhys Explained Why The 'Perry Mason' Finale Twist Is "Classic Mason", The And Just Like That Trailer Teases Season 2's Release Date & Aidans Return, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. A coroner determined she suffered wounds consistent with blows to the head with a blunt object. His sensational trial in 2003 included testimony from a male escort Peterson had planned to pay for sex. Firth told Deadline that he didnt meet Michael before playing him in HBOs The Staircase. Most eerie of all, though, is the fact that a segment took place on the infamous back staircase! Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Located in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Durham, the house boasts a patio with an outdoor fireplace, a library, a game room, five bedrooms, and five-and-a-half bathrooms, not to mention the pool where Michael claimed to be during what he alleged was his wifes accidental fall down the stairs. It is located on the bank of Kayadhu River which continues in Purna and then Godavari River. To hear Michael tell it (and tell it, he has, many times), he and Kathleen spent her last night watching Americas Sweethearts and drinking wine lots of wine. Stalk It: Michael Petersons former house, featured in The Staircase, is located at 1810 Cedar Street in Durham, North Carolina. In this article, we'll explore the best types [], Custom home designs refer to homes designed and built according to the unique preferences of each homeowner. She was found dead at the bottom of the stairs in their home. Peterson received a sentence of 64 to 86 months in prison, but as a result of his plea was given credit Peterson credit for his 89 months spent in jail. Also, this home is located in Durham, NC. It's unclear where, exactly, Peterson is currently living, but signs point to Durham. Michael purchased the 9,372-square-foot property in August 1992 for $600,000. To hear Michael tell it (and tell it, he has, many times), he and Kathleen spent her last night watching Americas Sweethearts and drinking wine lots of wine. In late 2018, Fury started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for repairs at the home. Famed scholar, author, and PBS host Henry Louis Gates Jr.claims to have sold them the property. In 2003, Peterson was convicted of Kathleens murder and sentenced to life without parole. Photos from inside the home reveal high ceilings, ornate gold furniture, red carpets, a grand staircase near the front door, and a new state of the art kitchen. Michaels wife was found lying in a pool of blood at the bottom of a staircase in the couples residence. Michael was seemingly innocent at first as he was the one who dialed 911 after finding Kathleen at the base of their steps. Michael Peterson murder trial in July 2003. Michael Peterson's former house on Cedar Street in Durham, NC, where Kathleen died and the setting for the Netflix documentary "The Staircase," is for sale. My mom and I devoured the show when it initially premiered on Sundance TV in 2005 and then again when it was re-released by Netflix with several hours of added footage in 2018. Michael Peterson went on trial for Kathleens murder in 2003 and was convicted in one of North Carolinas longest trials. In June 1989 the home was bought by scholar and author Henry Louis 'Skip' Gates Jr who lived there while teaching at Duke. My mom and I devoured the show when it initially premiered on Sundance TV in 2005 and then again when it was re-released by Netflix with several hours of added footage in 2018. Do not trespass or bother the residents or the property in any way. The listing on the Redfin site had been viewed more than 5,000 times as of Wednesday morning. Also, Please follow us on each of these. Why Getting a Custom Home Design is Right for You, Top 10 Mind-blowing Ideas to Upgrade Your Home With Smart Technology for Convenience and Efficiency. Check out the Michael Peterson house below. Thats in line with the tax value of the home, listed by the Durham County Tax Administration at $1,937,733. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole because the jury believed the murder was premeditated. Much of that footage would be used for the construction of the original Staircase documentary. Before he bought the home it was the shooting location for the 1990 movie The Handmaids Tale, which starred Robert Duvall, Faye Dunaway and Natasha Richardson. Selling the house at its [original $1.175 million] asking price would still not cover all of Petersons debts.. It is bordered by West Eclipse Boulevard, Portola Drive, Edwood Way and Rockford Drive. Investigators swiftly [] According to the houses current Zillow description, the 9,500-square-foot house sits on 3.5 acres, stands behind wrought iron gates, and is complete with stonewall walkways. Homes where suspicious deaths and murders happen often sell at a discount that can range from 10% to 25%, says real estate appraiserRandall Bell, of the Landmark Research Group in Laguna Beach, CA. The prosecution suggested that Michael killed his wife after they got in a fight supposedly initiated by Kathleen's discovery of more than 2,000 explicit images of men on Michael's computer in addition to emails in conversation with a young male escort he was planning on reuniting with after meeting a few months prior. Petersons overall nonchalant demeanor and regular giggling over aspects of the case are certainly perplexing. is an American novelist. After Petersons conviction, the house was listed at $1.175 million, but reduced to $975,000 in 2003. It still sports its grand staircase, library and game room, as well as its pool. Listed for $1.9 million, this mansion in Durham, NC, was where novelist Michael Peterson allegedly killed his wife on the back staircase. his wifes accidental fall down the stairs, used for the construction of the original. In total the house as 19 rooms, including six bathrooms. He bought the hosue for $640,000 in 2004 after its selling price sunk. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. (The house was on the market for $1.9 million, according to ABC 11 News.) To hear Michael tell it (and tell it, he has, many times), he and Kathleen spent her last night watching Americas Sweethearts and drinking wine lots of wine. The listing for that campaign has since been removed from the website. In the spring before Gates bought the home, it was a location for the 1990 movie The Handmaids Tale, which was filmed in Durham and Raleigh and starred Robert Duvall, Faye Dunaway and Natasha Richardson. Though under intense scrutiny from detectives and the public at large, Peterson inexplicably agreed, granting de Lestrade and his crew unfettered access to his home, his defense team and his family including his four children! Later, in 2004, a French true crime miniseries by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade aired, documenting the investigation into Peterson, from his arrest to the trial. Homes where suspicious deaths and murders happen often sell at a discount, the longer the property can take to find buyers, Durham Mansion in The Staircase Crime Documentary Is Available for $1.9M. Therefore, Michael lives a modest life in Durham, North Carolina. He was arrested just 11 days later. They wed in 1968 and had two boys together, Todd and Clayton. Harrison Ford has been tapped to play Peterson in an upcoming project based on The Staircase.. Also, the front of the home has a beautiful brick walkway leading to the front door. In 2019, he toldDr. Philthat Elizabeth fell down the stairs after suffering a stroke. Dirt is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Sengaon is a town and a nagarpanchayat in Hingoli subdivision of the Hingoli district, in the Indian state of Maharashtra . Due to the massive amount of blood at the scene and the seven head lacerations discovered by the coroner, authorities quickly figured it was a homicide and pinned Michael as their prime suspect. (Crime obviously doesnt pay!) Additionally, in 2022 HBO released a television miniseries detailing the case, called The Staircase. Get the latest scoop directly in your inbox. The result, a fascinating 13-episode docuseries named The Staircase, is an unparalleled look at our legal system, the makings of a defense and the behind-the-scenes goings-on of a major criminal trial. Furthermore, Michael and his children maintain his innocence. The five-bedroom mansion, built in 1940, has become a point of interest for true-crime devotees and viewers of the popular Netflix documentary series The Staircase. A large portion of the first eight episodes of The Staircase were set at the Peterson home. It has changed hands a few times, including once to a psychic and medium, before it sold to its most recent owner in August 2020. The more terribleand well-publicizedthe incident, the longer the property can take to find buyers and the larger the discounts. Michael Peterson has consistently maintained his innocence in the 2001 death of his wife, Kathleen. Subsequent chapters were filmed after the house was sold. Finally, I hope you enjoyed reading about Michael Peterson's home. In 1983 he wrote the historical fiction book, The Immortal Dragon. The home was originally built in 1940 by architect George Watts Carr, who constructed the house for a wealthy businessman by the name of John Adams Buchanan. The conclusion painted Michael as a murderer with a propensity for pushing his victims down staircases and no doubt contributed to his conviction. After a stir in the local community, a 2004 true crime documentary titled The Staircase investigated the events leading to Kathleen Petersons death and the subsequent murder trial. In 2001, Kathleen Peterson was found dead in her Durham, N.C., home. After serving in the Vietnam War, he began to write novels and newspaper columns about his experiences following his honorable discharge in 1971. Her husband, a novelist, calls 911. Michael Peterson was sentenced for life in 2003, but was retried in 2011 and is living life as a free man. It was also revealed that in 198516 years before his wifes murder in North CarolinaPeterson had been the last person to see Elizabeth Ratliff alive. In 2009 one of Petersons attorneys brought up a new theory claiming an owl was to blame for her death. The pair moved in together in 2019. Lastly, read some other articles like this one on our. A retrial was later ordered after the judge vacated the jury's verdict in 2011, finding that the blood splatter analysts gave a false and misleading testimony in the first trial, resulting in an unsound conviction. He had been living with his first wife, Patricia, (although divorced) for the past two years until her death from a heart attack, his son Clayton told North Carolina's News & Observer in 2021. Pusegaon Pin code is 431513 and postal head office is . The . The story only grows more mysterious with time. Furthermore, he served eight years before entering an, Alford plea. The case that dominated such a large part of his life still haunted him, however. Peterson, the only person home at the time of Kathleens death, was the prime suspect and charged with murder. To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders, Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications, .css-o3g03s{color:black;}Published11:32,08 July 2020 BST.css-1aaqh7x{color:#666666;}@media (min-width:1024px){.css-1aaqh7x{color:#666666;}}| Last updated11:33,08 July 2020 BST. What Styles Can You [], Upgrading your home with smart home technologies will change the look of your place and make your life much easier. Michael wound up being granted a new trial in 2011 after the State Crime Labs blood-spatter analyst Duane Deaver, who worked on his case, was fired for repeatedly shoddy investigative work. Currently, Redfin estimates the home is worth just north of $2.3 million, whereas Zillow assesses the home at $3.3 million. Sengaon is surrounded by range of Hingoli hills. Furthermore, Michael and his children maintain his innocence. Michael Peterson is the subject of one of Netflixs most riveting and polarizing true crime documentaries,The Staircase. Kathleen headed back inside at some point to prepare for a conference call that was scheduled for the following morning. He enjoys a secluded life with the occasional media appearance to again discuss that fateful staircase. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. 2023 Dirt.com, LLC. The result, a fascinating 13-episode docuseries named The Staircase, is an unparalleled look at our legal system, the makings of a defense and the behind-the-scenes goings-on of a major criminal trial. Click back to the main page for more Dirt on the house. Along with the aforementioned amenities, the 19-room home also boasts a 3.4-acre lot with a slate patio, an outdoor fireplace, and a large pool (though the latter was, for whatever reason, drained in the MLS pictures). the layout is the same, making it very recognizable from "The Staircase." . He also opines that by agreeing to pay, he would be admitting to murdering Kathleen. When Michael re-entered the house at approximately 2:30 a.m., he found Kathleen bloody, battered and barely alive at the bottom of the rear staircase, and called 911, claiming his wife had fallen, but she passed away before the ambulance arrived. Michael Peterson lived in a Durham mansion until being convicted of his wife Kathleen's murder in 2003. . This house features a grand, spiral staircase in the foyer. The riches he had before his incarceration no longer exist. So beloved was the residence that Kathleen and Michael decided to tie the knot there, surrounded by family and friends, on June 21, 1997. The couple originally moved into the home in 1997, four years before the incident. The result, a fascinating 13-episode docuseries named The Staircase, is an unparalleled look at our legal system, the makings of a defense and the behind-the-scenes goings-on of a major criminal trial. Gates bought the house in June 1989 and sold it shortly after, in order to take a teaching position at Harvard. The documentary follows Michael Peterson from his wifes death in December 2001 to his release in 2017. The company had also begun massive layoffs at the same time and Kathleens job security seemed tenuous at best. Peterson retreated to Durham, North Carolina, after his release. On May 5, HBO Max turned its eye to 1810 Cedar Street in Durham, North Carolina. Though under intense scrutiny from detectives and the public at large, Peterson inexplicably agreed, granting de Lestrade and his crew unfettered access to his home, his defense team and his family including his four children! The occupants of the home are not known; however, as HBO Maxs series unfolds, more information may come to light. Also, Please follow us on each of these. We post on luxury real estate and celebrity homes on our Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. According to Michael Peterson, on the night of December 9, 2001, a balmy 50-something degrees, he and Kathleen were enjoying drinks by their pool after dinner. The infamous house from Netflix's The Staircase has gone up for sale - and just looking through the pictures in the property listing is giving us serious goosebumps. He had been . The autopsy said she had pine needs stuck to one hand and three small feathers in another. Finally, I hope you enjoyed reading about Michael Peterson 's home. Michael Peterson was born near Nashville, Tennessee in 1943. Michael suggested that Kathleen fell down the stairs after drinking too much alcohol and Valium, but no fingerprints were detected on the wine bottle or glasses out in the kitchen. 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