Furious she confronts Michael with her findings. She often ate dinner with the Petersons, and Michael would help her clean up and tuck her children to sleep. However, in reality, Rudolf stated he traveled to Germany to investigate what happened to Ratliff and knew about her death a year and a half before the trial. by Monica Sisavat Peterson agreed to an Alford plea, which enables him to maintain his innocence in the death of his wife Kathleen Peterson in 2001. After Kathleen's death, her two sisters, Candace (Rosemarie DeWitt) and Lori (Maria Dizzia) firmly believe Michael at first, but quickly switch sides, along with Caitlin, and stand with the prosecution. There was a substantial amount of blood around the staircase, Witness Cheryl Appel-Schumacher testified during Petersons 2003 trial that the blood reached all the way up the staircase. Aside, from being untrue, it's completely offensive.". Some may criticize them as to why they cant see he did it. In 2001, Kathleen calls Candace to apologize for their argument over Thanksgiving and Michael notices a bunch of owls above their home. Radisch's reported concluded that Elizabeth Ratliff's death had actually been as a result of a "homicidal assault", and not an accident as was previously determined. In the footage, Michael also admits Kathleen never knew about his affairs with men or that he was bisexual. When watching The Staircase, it might be hard to keep track of the complicated Peterson family tree. German officials declared that she died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the scene of her death. Elizabeth's death is a tragedy, but whether it was brought upon by an ill-fated accident or contemptuous murder, we'll never know. Why?? Stuhlbarg is seen above with Tim Guinee and Colin Firth in a scene from "The Staircase" in which the men prepare for Peterson's trial. Michael and his ex-wife, Patty (Trini Alvarado), had become the legal guardians of Margaret and Martha after both of their parents died. Michael wasn't accused of murdering Elizabeth outright, but the fact that her daughters who he, again, adopted after her death were the recipients of a hefty life insurance policy was enough to cast doubt in the jurors of his case. To quote, 'help him' on his appeal. Exposing Jean-Xavier de Lestrade's tendentious film, the Peterson murder documentary: Death on the Stairacse. 1 week ago, by Kelsie Gibson Both declined to comment directly on Rudolf's statements. Michael had also been caught in a lie in the press when he claimed he won a Purple Heart in Vietnam when he had not. Michael's adopted daughters also believe that he did not kill their biological mother. The defense will cross-examine Deaver Tuesday. The coroner determined that she fell down the stairs after the brain bleed caused her immediate demise. He said: "I went to Germany, I investigated that whole thing. Noticing the uncanny similarities with Kathleen's case, prosecutors took a closer look at Elizabeth's death in 2003. Elizabeth's Ratliff's sudden death in November 1985 became of great significance in the case against Michael Peterson during his trial for the murder of his second wife, Kathleen Peterson. They wanted to reassess her injuries, to make sure her death really was the tragic accident it had been accepted as for 17 years. I believe that Kathleen excused herself to go get ready for a meeting the next morning. "Can people just go dig up graves?". On November 25, 1985, Elizbeth Ratliff was found dead at the bottom of her staircase, in an eerily similar way to the way Michael Peterson's wife, Kathleen Peterson was found on December 1, 2001. However, he maintains adamantly that Kathleens death was an accident. } else if ( host.indexOf("asia.cnn.com") != -1 ) { When producer Denis Poncet (Frank Feys) and director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade (Vincent Vermignon) come across the Peterson story, they wonder if there is a story there. She was found by her children's nanny, Barbara Malagnino, who sought help from Patty shortly after making the grim discovery. } else if ( host.indexOf("edition.") The author's ex-wife Patty maintains that their relationship was platonic and that her ex-husband is innocent. Like Kathleen, she'd been found at the bottom of a staircase. Kathleen even has a brief run-in with Freda Black. It took weeks for all the blood to be cleaned up, according to "The Staircase. When he separated from his wife, he brought his sons and the Ratliff children to the United States. According to the second autopsy, seven deep lacerations on Elizabeth's head - just like those found on Kathleen's - were concluded to have been sustained as a result of blunt force trauma. And as far as the girls, Margaret and Martha, Michael was the only parent they had been around the longest, they knew of their birth mothers death but couldnt associate with it as they were so young when it happened. believed to have been the last person to see her alive, carried out a second autopsy on Elizabeth Ratliff's body. What are the side effects of antidepressants? In her opinion, the seven lacerations on her head indicated blunt force trauma. Michael Peterson and his first wife, Patricia Peterson, were among the many people who filled the foyer that Monday morning 18 years ago, the witness testified. Ratliff taught second grade at a U.S. Department of Defense School. Seeing Margaret everyday no doubt caused her much stress and probably was the reason for many arguments that eventually led to the divorce. His appeal is rejected, but the documentary is a huge hit and renews interest in his case. She also remembered the copious amounts of blood near the staircase at the scene of Elizabeth's death. By John SpringerCourt TV.com Elizabeth's Ratliff's sudden death in November 1985 became of great significance in the case against Michael Peterson during his trial for the murder of his second wife, Kathleen Peterson. It is unknown if their disagreement happened in real life. If you've reached episode three of Netflix's latest true crime addition, The Staircase, you'll have discovered one of many plot twists in the documentary series. Rudolf pointed out how in one scene, Peterson's brother is seen selling the Peterson family belongings in order to pay for his appeal, an "offensive" detail Rudolph wants to correct. The Staircase addresses both of those theories, and just like the documentary of the same name by Oscar-winning filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade on which the show is based, whether you believe Michael Peterson is a killer is your own decision to make. The family gathers in the courtroom for the retrial hearing. The widow grew even closer with the Peterson family. Todd, who has always been the responsible one, starts to unravel under the pressure of the trial. Now, if you wish to learn more about this nearly four-decade-old matter, including the undeniable suspicions surrounding the same, dont worry; weve got all the essential details for you. He explained that he first met Peterson at this house in Durham, North Carolina, and holding a meeting in a diner with a client would just never happen. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. The prosecutors have also hypothesized that Elizabeths perplexing 1985 passing inspired Michael to fake Kathleens accident in 2001, yet there has never been any direct evidence to back it up. Sophie remained the editor for several months on the out-of-court stuff. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. Although she died in 1985, the death of Elizabeth Ratliff played a key role in Michael Peterson's trial after he was accused of murdering his wife Kathleen Peterson on December 9, 2001. "We made plans to live in Paris. Elizabeth Ratliff and. Im also sure as he is a master storyteller, that he convinced himself the story he told was the truth and his mind believed it, thus giving his consciousness the ability to feel he was innocent and then able to act the part of the victim as well. The similarities between the deaths of Elizabeth Ratliff and Kathleen Peterson raised eyebrows among the Durham authorities. The best face wash for every single skin type. Cat is Cosmopolitan UK's features editor covering women's issues, health and current affairs. Rudolf is highly skeptical of the documentary crew following their every move but eventually has to relent. Elizabeth Ratliff's daughter, Martha and Margaret Ratliff stood by Michael Peterson and believed him to be innocent. Sam Smith is going to be in And Just Like That s2! "They have a scene where Michael's brother is on the phone with me, telling me that he's selling all the furniture, to pay to write me checks for the appeal. Elizabeth's death was initially ruled an accident, but when her body was exhumed during the trial for a second autopsy in April 2003, the coroner found sufficient evidence to categorize it as a homicide. Clayton has been in some trouble in the past, but has since been trying to turn his life around. Bush: Prosecutor taking up Schiavo inquiry. Her name was Elizabeth Ratliff (shown above in the blue shirt) and she died at the age of 43. I couldn't afford to live in Paris and my children, and grandchildren were in America," he said. She also remembered the copious amounts of blood near the staircase at the scene of Elizabeth's death. "She wasn't actively dating, if that's the question," Appel-Schumacher said. He paid that, or his brother paid it and that was it. Michael is having a rough time in prison. Great, Click the Allow Button Above I feel here is where things took a turn. Together, they go to the Durham Herald Christmas Ball. She agrees to help them and tips them off that the SBI is very corrupt and should be looked into. Right about the time the trial ended, they didn't start putting the cuts together," Rudolph explained. "There was no pool of blood.". DURHAM, N.C. An autopsy report released Monday says Elizabeth Ratliff, a friend of novelist Mike Peterson who died 18 years ago, was the victim of a homicide and not a stroke as originally . He hires David Rudolf (Michael Stuhlbarg) whose price tag is as big as his reputation. Under no circumstances would they have had a sexual relationship.". In that case, it's thought that Ratliff succumbed to her blood clotting disorder via an intra-cerebral hemorrhage and then fell down the stairs after she was already deceased. The jury finds Michael guilty and sentences him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sophie is skeptical hearing about this theory at first, but soon leans in and pushes for a re-examination of the body. Since his guilty conviction, much has happened in Michael Peterson's case, from a retrial in 2011 to being officially released from prison in 2017 after entering an Alford Plea to the reduced charge of manslaughter. "There was blood splatter all over those walls. Elizabeth now feeling frustrated and not wanting to continue being alone with 2 small children told him she was going to go tell his wife that her daughter Margaret was Michael's daughter (as you can see the incredible similarities between she and Michael as well as his boys Todd & Clayton with Patty) https://flic.kr/p/JR7p1K Elizabeth Ratliff Autopsy - 4 Autopsy Report -- Elizabeth Ratliff As HBOs hit limited series The Staircase comes to a close, it is time to take a look back and assess what we just witnessed. The last person believed to see her alive was Michael Peterson the night before when their families had dinner together in her home. It has been quite a ride, so before we discuss how it ended, lets look at how we got here. Sign up for our Celebrity & Entertainment newsletter. "I could not give her what she really needed and deserved, and that would be a full-time partner living with her in Paris. two adorable daughters into their lives Margaret and Martha Ratliff. Now as both Elizabeth and her husband were both deceased, the girls Margaret and Martha would surely be left in the care of one of their relatives? Elizabeth Ratliff, a family friend of Michael Peterson and his first wife, Patricia, died in 1985, just two years after her husband, George. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Michael, a Vietnam War vet, bonded with Elizabeth's husband George, who was a captain in the military. Elizabeth Ratliff, a 43-year-old widow who taught second grade at a U.S. Department of Defense School, was found dead at the bottom of a flight of stairs on November 25, 1985. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. She was very happy while planning a party she threw for Appel-Schumacher and her new husband two nights before she died, the witness recalled. Her life was thus incredibly different from her Rhode Island farm upbringing, especially as shed eventually found herself working at an elementary school at the Rhein-Main Air Force Base in West Germany. Together, Elizabeth and George Ratliff had two daughters, Margaret and Martha Ratliff, who Michael Peterson would adopt following their deaths. Elizabeth Ratliff Wasn't Murdered It's been incredibly infuriating that people keep insisting that Michael Peterson killed Elizabeth. by Lindsay Kimble He was granted a new trial in 2011, which was scheduled to begin in May 2017. Netflixs new series The Staircase chronicles the trial of author Michael Peterson, whose wife Kathleen was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in her Durham, North Carolina home in November 2001. A second autopsy, conducted by Durham, North Carolina officials this time, revealed sufficient evidence to suspect the manner of death being clear homicide. With that said, no charges against Michael have ever been brought in connection to this matter, and he maintains his innocence. Now at this time a few things couldve happened-whatever he struck her with at the front door, he now needed to get rid of, so as she lay dying at the bottom of the stairs, he changed out of any bloodied clothes and got rid of them with the item he struck her with. != -1 ) { Lestrade appears throughout the series, filming Michael in the most mundane and dramatic of moments, capturing his family and his entire trial, appeal, and release. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. After knocking Kathleen out (with what exactly, there are so many possibilities-afterall if all your kids were no longer living at home, would they be able to identify what things were or werent missing? Inevitably, the series includes elements of fiction, particularly the flashback scenes to Kathleen (Toni Collette) and Michael Peterson's marriage and the days leading up to her death. Upon examination, forensic pathologist Deborah Radisch, who also worked on Kathleen's case, said that Elizabeth's injuries were inconsistent with an accident. Editor Sophie Brunet (Juliette Binoche) finds herself so entranced with Peterson she begins reaching out to him via letters to prison. He later adopted Ratliff's two daughters, Martha and Margaret. 13 hours ago, by Chanel Vargas Who was Elizabeth Ratliff, and how did her 1985 death become part of Michael Peterson's trial? Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. The Staircase will be your new fav true crime show, The legal age you can get married has just changed, Charles & Camilla break major royal tradition, Courteney Cox speaks on Harry magic mushroom claim, Harry 'adding at least one more chapter' to memoir, Dylan responds to being misgendered on Instagram. U.S. Army doctor Dr. Larry A. Barnes carried out an autopsy on Elizabeth and confirmed that a cerebral haemorrhage was her cause of death. How much, I can't say," Appel-Schumacher testified outside the jury's presence. Michael, a Vietnam War vet, bonded with Elizabeth's husband, George, who was a captain in the military. He was sentenced to time already served and freed from prison. Rudolf first took issue with some of the smaller details in the series. Both Peterson and his wife raised his two daughters, Margaret and Martha,as if they were their own. He was sentenced to time already served and freed from prison. The medical examiner found Kathleen Peterson and Elizabeth Ratcliffe suffered similar blows to the head, including seven lacerations which were sustained by blunt force trauma. He described the scene as "complete fiction" adding that "for anybody who knows anything about the criminal justice system, it totally undermines the credibility of the entire film.". "I was sitting here directly observing when the German medical examiner took the spinal tap and held the contents up so that he could view [it]," said Patty. Some speculate that Michael shared an illicit affair with Elizabeth. It was after she left the project that she first sent him a letter. When they meet, they fall in love, and she leads the charge on the Owl Theory. The SBI, the organization that recreated the crime scene, is placed under investigation for unethical practices, which opens up another opportunity for an appeal in Michael's case. He said they wanted the same medical examiner who claimed that Peterson's wife wasn't accidental to perform the autopsy rather than a neutral pathologist in Texas as he suggested. Peterson lived next door to Ratliff when she died. Despite the evidence submitted during the trial, Elizabeth Ratliff's daughters, Margaret and Martha - who had been brought up by Michael and Kathleen - stood by their adoptive father and continued to protest his innocence. The Real Housewives of Atlanta The Bachelor Sister Wives 90 Day Fiance Wife Swap The Amazing Race Australia Married at First Sight The Real Housewives of Dallas My 600-lb Life Last Week Tonight with John Oliver During Michael's trial, Cheryl Appel-Schumacher, one of the late schoolteacher's friends, recalled that Elizabeth had severe headaches a few days before she was found dead. Netflix's 'The Staircase': How did Elizabeth Ratliff really die? Bill Peterson (Tim Guinee), Michaels brother, is his biggest ally and works with the lawyers and the family to try and keep everything in order while it feels like chaos. But, in February, just months before the scheduled retrial, Peterson submitted an Alford plea to the reduced charge of manslaughter. Elizabeth Ratliff and her husband, George Ratliff, were close friends of Michael Peterson and his first wife Patricia Peterson when they lived in Germany in the 1980s. Despite a large amount of blood, witness Cheryl Appel-Schumacher testified Monday, Ratliff's death didn't pique the interest of German and U.S. investigators, and they left the house without the body and without taking any photographs. Ratliff's two young daughters ended up living with Michael Peterson, and he raised them in North Carolina with his two sons from his first marriage. And she said to me, 'So you're going to be content just being an old grandfather?' There is also an alternate theory put forth by Petersons neighbor Larry (Joel McKinnon Miller) that Kathleen was viciously attacked by an owl. So you know, I'm sorry that I have to say this, but I think Antonio Campos [The Staircase on HBO Max director] went way beyond what was ethical for him as a filmmaker to do just in order to either sell this film, or to pump its ratings, and that in my judgment is despicable. No, the will of the Ratliffs stated the girls would be left in the care of Michael Peterson. Whether or not Michael Peterson killed Elizabeth Ratliff remains unknown. Michael moved back to the United States, taking his adopted daughters with him, and met Kathleen Peterson in 1986. Patricia has always vehemently backed him up. I do not think that the girls could mentally handle it if they allowed their minds to go to the place of believing he did it. Their lead analyst, Duane Deaver (Myke Holmes) leads the charge in recreating the scene to prove the prosecution's case. After receiving permission from Elizabeth's mother and sister, authorities went ahead with the exhumation. Since her husband's death, Peterson would come over to visit her every evening after dinner, according to "The Staircase." The couples lived close; just down the road from each other in the town of Graefenhausen. In April 2003, a second autopsy was carried out by a Durham medical examiner, who concluded Ratliff's cause of death was "homicide." She was found dead at the bottom of a staircase, Ratliff was found tilted sideways at the bottom of a wooden staircase inside her home, according to "The Staircase.". Their blended family included Michaels two sons from his first marriage, Clayton Peterson (Dane DeHaan) and Todd Peterson (Patrick Schwarzenegger), Kathleens daughter from her first marriage, Caitlin Atwater (Olivia DeJonge), and Michael's two adopted daughters, Margaret Ratliff (Sophie Turner) and Martha Ratliff (Odessa Young). Michael Stuhlbarg portrayed Peterson's lawyer David Rudolf in the series. Meanwhile, in France, two filmmakers are searching for their next project. They fought and it turned physical. At the time, the German police ruled her death an accident, and an autopsy concluded that she died of a brain hemorrhage. But, in February, just months before the scheduled retrial, Peterson submitted an Alford plea to the reduced charge of manslaughter. It also includes imagined dialogue for dramatic purposes but stays grounded in court documents, meticulous research by the team behind the show, and of course, content from Lestrade's 13-part documentary.