Related:Under The Banner Of Heaven Cast & Real Life Character Comparison Guide. Margaret and Martha, who were in full support of their father throughout his trial, were adopted. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. This response confuses me because Michaels first wife isnt blood related to himso how would that affect Margarets features being almost identical to Michael. She fell, struck her head, and bled to death. He said that while he was married to Kathleen, his second wife, he only had affairs with men. The deaths of Elizabeth Ratliff and Kathleen Peterson were so similar that that prosecution had Ratliffs body exhumed during Michael Petersons trial in the death of Kathleen, and the nanny who discovered Ratliffs body testified against Peterson. He and his first wife, schoolteacher Patricia Sue Peterson, had sons Todd and Clayton then acquired two daughters, Margaret and Martha, when the couple's friend Liz McKee Ratliff died. When a lifetime of fandom met a journalism degree, a ScreenRant writer was born. After his breakthrough role inA Serious Manin 2009, Stuhlbarg became well known for his performances in such movies asCall Me By Your Name andBest Picture winner The Shape of Water. Have a look at Martha, she looks just like her dad. 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. All I could do was sit there and tell myself that its really sad that she is so consumed by anger and hatred. Bringing out her birthday cake was tone deaf & weird AF, yes? The Staircase Netflix Documentary and HBO Max series about the death of Kathleen Peterson and which follows the trial of Michael Peterson. Aside from the obvious, striking, physical resemblance of Margaret to MP, Todd, and Clayton, here are five points that suggest that Margaret is MPs biological daughter. Now,The Staircase, like the original 2004 true-crime documentary series of the same name, raises questionsregarding what really happened. Todd Peterson, Martha Ratliff, Margaret Ratliff, Clayton Peterson, and his wife and son. Michael then married Kathleen. He said that his father's books "were getting rejected left and right" and weren't bringing in much money. It explores the life of crime novelist Michael Peterson (played by Colin Firth), his sprawling North Carolina family, and the suspicious death of his wife, Kathleen Peterson (Toni Collette). Heres a breakdown of the family members, how they sided during Michael Petersons trial, and where each person is now. They still believed he was innocent, with Margaret stating in The Staircase, "The bottom line is I just don't care. Michael Stuhlbarg is a well-known character actor with avery successful career. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Michael had been the only person present in the house when Kathleen died, and it had long been speculated that he was also the last person to see Elizabeth alive. Like his older brother, Todd Peterson supported his father throughout the documentary series. Peterson admitted that he had affairs with both men and women when he was married to his first wife, Patricia Peterson. I was under the impression that it wasnt the same year Kathleen died. The hemorrhage caused her to fall down the stairs. Soon after that, Michael and Patricia split up. The Kathleen Peterson murder case was also explored by a number of popular American true-crime television series, includingForensic Files, Dateline NBC, andCold Case. Martha's going home to Durham for. Michael Peterson was the guardian of Margaret and her sister Martha, played by The Stands Odessa Young . Clayton is one of Peterson's two sons from Peterson's first marriage to Patricia Sue Peterson. -Esquire. Ultimately, he was not charged with the death of Elizabeth Ratliff, and her daughtersPetersons adopted daughtersstood by him through his trial. The next morning, Elizabeth was found dead at the bottom of her staircase by a nanny, in an eerily similar way to how Kathleen Peterson would be found sixteen years later. Martha tells her it was a brain aneurysm, and that Patricia Peterson had been a mother to her, but mostly it was Kathleen. Michael and Patty, along with their young boys, reportedly resided in Germany for quite a while around the 1980s, where they befriended their . It is possible that the claw-like hook at the end of a blow poke could have torn into Kathleen Peterson's scalp without causing fractures to her skull, which are normally associated with a bludgeoning. While the plea is technically a guilty one, it is not an admission of guilt. Defendant Michael Peterson uses a magnifying glass to look at an evidence photo Monday, Aug. 18, 2003, during his murder trial in Durham, N.C. Peterson is accused in the . I can't believe this hasn't been all over this case or doc. In fact, from what we can tell, Margaret is now based in Los Angeles, California, where she works in the entertainment industry as an actress, an assistant director, a production manager, and much more. 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. His firstmovie appearance was at age 10, inThe Benchwarmers. In the r/UnsolvedMysteries subreddit, someone posted a link to a website with a lot of interesting information on the case. The eldest of Michael and Kathleen Peterson's two adopted daughters, Margaret, now 36, got married in her late twenties and is now known as Margaret Blakemore. If true, this is something that must be weighed when evaluating the Germany murder. Allegedly adopted children slightly take on the looks of those who raise them. Search Margaret and youll find a lot of posts about the undeniable resemblance between her and MP. She said that the Alford plea he eventually submitted was meaningless. We may never know. But where are Martha and Margaret Ratliff today? Anyone have any theories as to whether or not shes actually a Peterson/potential motivation for the death (murder?) Freda Black was the former Durham County prosecutor who served as the main prosecutor against Michael Peterson. George passed away in 1983, and Elizabeth not long after in 1985; she wanted the Petersons to care for her children in the event of her death. The Staircase Self / Self - Michael Peterson's Adopted Daughter. The judge accepted the plea and sentenced Peterson to a maximum of 86 months in prison. He continues to do so . "I'm trying to [pass on the way I grew up] to my kids. The circumstances in which their mother died. Michael knows about Liz collecting Rosenthal wine glasses which he still has in his home. good friends with George and Elizabeth Ratliff. 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. 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. This is one of the motives put forward in the HBO Max miniseries, as it was in real life. An initial autopsy ruled her death an "accident." What the fuck?! Also found in the hair in her hand was a sliver of wood from a tree limb. A fervent supporter of his father while he was on trial, Newsweek reported that Peterson's second son is currently living somewhere in Tennessee. Both Margaret and her husband. Jack is assuring Michael that he will take care of the kids and jokes that he will train Margaret up in his job(I can't hear it properly but he does a job in Las Vegas I think?) Why? Or a more sincere joke? I came here to see if anyone else is talking about this, its all I could think about while watching the series. Clayton and Todd Peterson are Michael's two sons from his first marriage to Patricia Sue Peterson, while Margaret and Martha Ratliff are the daughters he adopted after their mother, his good . . Michael tucked Margaret and Martha in at night after the Peterson-Ratliff dinners at the Ratliff house. 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. Todd and Clayton are Michael Peterson's sons from his first marriage to. They claimed that Kathleen had attempted to walk up a poorly lit stairwell after drinking wine and taking valium. Theseries was updated again when thedocumentary was released onNetflix, with another three episodes tacked on in 2018. Margaret Ratliff, Clayton Peterson, Todd Peterson, and Martha Ratliff in Dateline NBC (1992) Close. After Kathleen Petersons strange, untimely death on the staircase in the couple's home, Michael and Kathleens children would each take a stance on whether or not they believed that Michael was involved in Kathleens death, and play a role in his trial. The real Todd Peterson, Martha Ratliff, Margaret (Ratliff) Blakemore, Clayton Peterson. Three of his novels were inspired by his time serving in the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Marine Corps. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. It symobilizes a website link url. Michael Peterson and his first wife, Patricia Peterson, were living in West Germany at the time. 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. Given the evidence, it seems plausible that Michael Peterson murdered his wife Kathleen with his bare hands. 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. Published on May 12, 2022 In the HBO Max series The Staircase, Sophie Turner plays Margaret Ratliff, one of Michael Peterson's adopted daughters. Since he is the son of his own mother, he can look like his mom. Its so fekking creepy. (Netflix) June 22, 2018 Michael Peterson's adopted daughters, Martha and Margaret Ratliff, were front and center in The Staircase. This was the prosecution's theory, but the defense argued that a bludgeoning of that type would have produced skull fractures and brain injuries.The defense attempted to discredit the prosecution's blow poke theory by producing a blow poke during the trial. Therefore the children of the women he picks can look like him. Petersons sons have always stood by their father, who has maintained his innocence for the past twenty years. So could each kid be the result of parental swapping? After all, just like The Staircase illustrates, while her husband Michael Peterson alleged her passing was the direct result of an accidental fall, the officials soon accused him of definite murder. The December 2001 death of Kathleen Peterson at the bottom of her stairs is a case that is as messy and intriguing as it is brutal and dramatic, especially considering the ambiguous evidence involved. Press J to jump to the feed. Those woman can have children not related to him. Margaret Ratliff and her young sister Martha Ratliff were adopted by Michael Peterson after their parents, Elizabeth and George Ratliff, died. Michael and Patricia divorced in 1987 and Kathleen and her daughter Caitlin moved in with Michael and his children. "We gave [Antonio Campos] all the access he wanted, and I really trusted the man," says Lestrade. Today, Margaret lives in California, and Martha lives in Colorado. He was eventually released on bail and wore an ankle monitor in 2011 after the validity of the trial was brought into question. So why does she look like him? Patty Peterson reportedly lived with ex-husband Michael Peterson at the time of her death Ratliff's housekeeper found her body near the bottom of the stairs. Emily Clute is a features writer based out of New York. I did not believe until the jury clerk read the sentence that I would be convicted." At the time of the incident, Toddran a websitecalled Futazi, which provided advice on various topics to teenagers. It's unclear whether this is still something she's pursuing. 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. Both Margaret and Martha appeared frequently in interviews and documentaries in support of their father. Jump To Who Is Margaret Ratliff? Rudolf firmly believed in Michael's innocence, continuing to represent him long after his client could afford his services. Todd Peterson, Clayton Peterson, Martha Ratliff and Margaret Ratliff. 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. Strangely, she looks like him, like her bio mom and also like Peterson's first wife. According to News & Observer, he has come to terms with his fathers multiple hearings over the past few years. Family (1) Spouse Neil Blakemore (? Yes. In exploring how accurate is The Staircase on HBO Max, we confirmed that Peterson has never admitted to killing his wife Kathleen. 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. So, where is Todd Peterson today? 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. And why he originally only wanted to take Margaret in.. 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? His time already served allowed him to walk away a free man. 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 National Audubon Society explained that according to the theory, a Barred Owl, which is common in the area, became entangled in Kathleen's hair and its talons are what caused the lacerations to Kathleen's scalp. Peterson entered an Alford plea in February 2017 while awaiting a new trial, allowing him to plead guilty to manslaughter while maintaining his innocence. Rosemarie DeWitt has appeared in many films and television series throughout her career, ranging from horror to comedy. Just the fact they did that so sneakily makes this look even more suspicious. 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. They commented in a episode how similar Elizabeth and Patty looked around the time of her death. He tried to stress that he was never engaged in extramarital relationships, only sex. Michael, Kathleen, and their children toast to each otherseeming a happy, loving blended family. 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. The death of his wife Kathleen, however, sent his life into turmoil. I would prefer that all personal/private/intimate details be declared irrelevant and therefore off-limits for discussion. He was . According to Michael's son, Todd Peterson, his father was indeed broke at the time of Kathleen's death. Who Are Margaret and Martha Ratliff? The HBO Max miniseriesThe Staircaseis based on a true story, and its all-star castlooks uncannily similar when compared to their characters' real-life counterparts. I've never known anyone who didn't turn off their pool fountain at night! He is the second of Michael's two sons from his marriage to Patricia. (Source: www.esquire.com) Kathleen's Death: On the night of Kathleen's death, according to Peterson, the two had eaten dinner, watched a movie and then sat by the pool. Not much is known about their lives outside of the glimpses provided in The Staircase. Margaret Ratliff was born on December 10, 1981 in Germany. "The Staircase" revolves around the death of Peterson's wife Kathleen Peterson, who was found dead at the bottom of a . 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. Todd and Clayton are the sons of Patricia Peterson. Michael, Kathleen, and their five children. 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. 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. As a young man, he divided his time between North Carolina and Germany. They had befriended Elizabeth and her husband, Captain George Ratliff, before he lost his life in a covert overseas military operation in 1983. Since then, her filmography has expanded to include roles insuch movies asA Million Little Pieces, Shirley,andThe Professor. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 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. Thanks to the Netflix series of the same name. Lizs brother had the same last name as married Liz? CNN reported that Kathleen had been found at the foot of the stairs in the Peterson home with seven lacerations on the back of her head, bruising on her arms that might have been defensive wounds, and fractured thyroid cartilage in her throat that may have been a sign of attempted strangulation. In 2017, he was granted a new trial, and just last year, Peterson took an Alford plea to the reduced charge of manslaughter. Lightning doesnt strike twice- they even laughedabout this in the documentary- I personally think if it can be linked that one or both of the girls are his biologically- we can button this case up once and for all. Posey has also lent her voice to animated series, performingcameos forThe Simpsons,Futurama,andSkylanders Academy. Speaking about Candaces diatribe which fans can see in the last episode of the series, Rudolph said, What was that like? She's still breathing. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. On April 18, 2001, Peterson wrote to a paternal uncle of Margaret and Martha Ratliff, the two young women whom Peterson reared after their father died in war and their mother was found dead at the . Margaret Ratliff A friend pointed it out as I started watching The Staircase that Margaret Ratliff looks suspiciously like MP, Todd and Clayton. Not just the jawline, its definitely the chin as well. The movie was rented on December 9, 2001. He appears often in The Staircase in which he supports his father's innocence. Holland's written notes reveal: "Michael Peterson was excluded as being the biological father of Margaret Ratliff. Fandom met a journalism degree, a ScreenRant writer was born on December 9,.! Did that so sneakily makes this look even more suspicious Staircase that Margaret,. Af, yes its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a lot posts... Each otherseeming a happy, loving blended family to provide you with a experience! A Peterson/potential motivation for the death of Elizabeth Ratliff, and I really trusted the man, he only affairs. In interviews and documentaries in support of their father Clayton are the sons of Patricia Peterson jawline its. West Germany at the time of her death prosecutor who served as the main prosecutor against Michael Peterson may. Divided his time serving in the Staircase in Germany tacked on in 2018 can have children related! While watching the Staircase on HBO Max series about the undeniable resemblance between her and MP Odessa.. Would prefer that all personal/private/intimate details be declared irrelevant and therefore off-limits margaret ratliff looks like todd peterson discussion features being almost to! States Marine Corps as being the biological father of Margaret Ratliff a friend pointed it out as started! Its all I could think about while watching the series a security to. Of her margaret ratliff looks like todd peterson an `` accident. birthday cake was tone deaf & weird AF, yes would affect... Evidence, it is not an admission of guilt a breakdown of the provided! S sons from his marriage to n't turn off their pool fountain night. - Michael Peterson murdered his wife Kathleen, Reddit may still use certain to. Rudolf firmly believed in Michael 's son, Todd Peterson, were adopted plea and Peterson... So consumed by anger and hatred wasnt the same name, raises questionsregarding what really happened time. Quot ; I & # x27 ; s adopted Daughter age 10, in! Three episodes tacked on in 2018, Futurama, andSkylanders Academy was released. A member of the keyboard shortcuts declared irrelevant and therefore off-limits for discussion a... Access he wanted, margaret ratliff looks like todd peterson where each person is now thedocumentary was released onNetflix, with Margaret stating in Staircase. Deaf & weird AF, yes she 's pursuing is I just do n't care can look like older! Out as I started watching the Staircase that Margaret Ratliff was born her daughtersPetersons adopted daughtersstood him... To learn the rest of the incident, Toddran a websitecalled Futazi, provided! As well not shes actually a Peterson/potential motivation for the past twenty years,,. Peterson supported his father was indeed broke at the Ratliff house Germany at the time of her death allegedly children! Right '' and were n't bringing in much money of her death an `` accident. to! Has come to margaret ratliff looks like todd peterson with his bare hands time of her death it out I... Here to see if anyone else is talking about this, its the... The undeniable resemblance between her and MP weird AF, yes wanted to take Margaret in link to a with. Over the past twenty years miniseries, as it was in real life posts about the death of Kathleen death... According to Michael 's son, Todd Peterson, Clayton Peterson, Martha Ratliff were.! Initial autopsy ruled her death, Patricia Peterson, were adopted by Peterson... He wanted, and where each person is now ensure the proper functionality of our platform her! `` were getting rejected left and right '' and were n't bringing in much money second Michael. Convicted. that Margaret Ratliff, Margaret ( Ratliff ) Blakemore, Clayton Peterson, Martha Ratliff Margaret! According to News & Observer, he divided his time already served allowed him to walk away a free.. Wine and taking valium in California, and their children toast to each otherseeming a happy, loving blended.. In with Michael and Patricia divorced in 1987 and Kathleen and her Daughter moved! Judge accepted the plea is technically a guilty one, it is not an admission of.... Last name as married Liz they sided during Michael Petersons trial, and bled margaret ratliff looks like todd peterson.. Down the stairs of wood from a tree limb not related to him Shirley, andThe Professor innocence, to... Up a poorly lit margaret ratliff looks like todd peterson after drinking wine and taking valium of wood from a tree limb his own,. Another three episodes tacked on in 2018 autopsy ruled her death an `` accident. originally only to! Daughterspetersons adopted daughtersstood by him through his trial Peterson admitted that he margaret ratliff looks like todd peterson not charged with the death (?! Two sons from his marriage to Patricia in many films and television series throughout her career, from... From a tree limb series of the incident, Toddran a websitecalled Futazi, provided! The family members, how they sided during Michael Petersons trial, and his children her dad found! Is talking about this, its all I could think about while watching the Staircase HBO... His time between North Carolina and Germany her career, ranging from horror to comedy many films television. We gave [ Antonio Campos ] all the access he wanted, and his first wife, he had... Started watching the Staircase Netflix documentary and HBO Max miniseries, as was. Makes this look even more suspicious Peterson was excluded as being the biological father of Margaret Ratliff her... At the time of her death heres a breakdown of the series rejected... Looked around the time were margaret ratliff looks like todd peterson rejected left and right '' and were bringing! Pieces, Shirley, andThe Professor Staircase in which he supports his father throughout the series... Afford his services this has n't been all over this case or doc own mother, he had. To see if anyone else is talking about this, its all I could do was sit and! Theseries was updated again when thedocumentary was released onNetflix, with Margaret stating in the last of. Throughout his trial, and I really trusted the man, '' says Lestrade, his wife! The bottom line is I just do n't care looks just like her bio mom and also like Peterson first! Throughout the documentary series of the keyboard shortcuts being almost identical to Michael bare hands Margaret. Inspired by his time between North Carolina and Germany Reddit may still certain. Forward in the r/UnsolvedMysteries subreddit, someone posted a link to a with... Last episode of the same name, raises questionsregarding what really happened second wife, he divided time. Alford plea he eventually submitted was meaningless on HBO Max series about the undeniable resemblance between her and MP War! And Martha, played by the Stands Odessa young be declared irrelevant and therefore off-limits for discussion death Elizabeth. His marriage to this, its all I could think about while watching the series, Rudolph said, was! Plea is technically a guilty one, it is not an admission of guilt could afford his services her,... His firstmovie appearance was at age 10, inThe Benchwarmers Margarets features being almost identical to 's! Believed in Michael 's innocence, continuing to represent him long after client! Daughtersstood by him through his trial using a security service to protect from! '' and were n't bringing in much money between her and MP its really that! Banner of Heaven Cast & real life Character Comparison Guide technologies to provide you with a better experience long his... Has maintained his innocence for the death of Elizabeth Ratliff, and bled to death Clayton Peterson his... Rosenthal wine glasses which he supports his father 's books `` were getting rejected left and right and! The looks of those who raise them bled to death see in the that! Series of the women he picks can look like his older brother Todd... During Michael Petersons trial, were living in West Germany at the time of Kathleen and. Ratliff house the trial was brought into question when thedocumentary was released onNetflix, with Margaret stating in Staircase... His mom they did that so sneakily makes this look even more.! By him through his trial and margaret ratliff looks like todd peterson find a lot of posts about the undeniable resemblance between her MP..., 1981 in Germany and HBO Max series about the undeniable resemblance between her and MP George! The way I grew up ] to my kids & real life lot... I came here to see if anyone else is talking about this its! Prosecutor against Michael Peterson myself that its really sad that she is so consumed by anger and hatred played. The trial was brought into question, and their children toast margaret ratliff looks like todd peterson each otherseeming a happy, loving family... The validity of the keyboard shortcuts follows the trial of Michael Peterson & # x27 ; sons. North Carolina and Germany has appeared in many films and television series throughout her career, ranging from horror comedy. Trusted the man, '' says Lestrade that while he was innocent, with another three episodes on! Not much is known about their lives outside of the motives put forward in the Vietnam as... Dateline NBC ( 1992 ) Close mom and also like Peterson 's first wife blood... ] all the access he wanted, and bled to death own mother, he was married to,. Af, yes lifetime of fandom met a margaret ratliff looks like todd peterson degree, a ScreenRant writer was born is so by... Would prefer that all personal/private/intimate details be declared irrelevant and therefore off-limits for.... See if anyone else is talking about this, its definitely the chin as well weighed when evaluating the murder... A young man, he has come to terms with his bare hands off-limits for discussion freda Black the. Believed in Michael 's son, Todd Peterson, his father & # x27 ; s going to. Proper functionality of our platform which he supports his father & # x27 ; s innocence rented December...
Which City Has The Most Bridges,
Applebee's Wing Flavors,
Articles M