Ep 3. Cheating Death

In the third episode of Evil Lives Here season 1, titled "Cheating Death," viewers are introduced to the story of Drew Peterson, a former police sergeant who was convicted of murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio, and is a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.

The episode delves into the childhood and upbringing of Peterson's fourth wife, as told by her sister, Cassandra Cales. Cales recounts the happy childhood that she and Stacy shared, describing Stacy as a "daddy's girl" who always looked up to their father, who was a police officer. However, the episode notes that Stacy's life took a turn for the worse when she met Peterson.

Through interviews with Cales and other family members, viewers learn that Peterson was controlling and abusive towards Stacy, isolating her from her friends and family and monitoring her every move. Cales recounts an incident where Peterson confiscated Stacy's cell phone, leaving her without any means of communication, and another where he pried the phone lines out of their home's wall to prevent Stacy from calling for help during an argument.

The episode explores Peterson's history as a police officer, including the allegations of misconduct and abuse of power that were levied against him throughout his career. It also delves into his pattern of infidelity, and his history of manipulating and gaslighting his wives and mistresses.

Viewers are introduced to the case of Kathleen Savio, Peterson's third wife, who was found dead in her bathtub in 2004. While her death was initially ruled an accidental drowning, the episode notes that her body showed signs of struggle and foul play, and that many people close to her suspected that Peterson was responsible.

The episode also touches on the disappearance of Stacy Peterson, who vanished in 2007 and has never been found. Peterson has not been charged in connection with her disappearance, but is widely believed to be involved due to his history of abusive behavior and his suspicious actions before and immediately after her disappearance.

Throughout the episode, Cales and other family members describe their frustration and anger at the justice system's failure to hold Peterson accountable for his crimes. They recount instances where they reached out to law enforcement to report Peterson's abusive behavior, but were dismissed or ignored.

Overall, "Cheating Death" is a chilling portrayal of a man who used his position of power and authority to exert control and abuse over the women in his life. The episode serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of believing survivors of abuse and holding abusers accountable for their actions.