Kathleen had one daughter named Caitlin from her first marriage to physicist Fred Atwater, per PopSugar. A few years later, in 2001, she was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in her Durham, North Carolina home. In the series, Michael is played by Colin Firth, while Kathleen is played by Toni Collette. Patricia Peterson
Who is Caitlin Atwater?
Caitlin Atwater, the daughter of Kathleen Peterson, and Prudential Insurance reached the settlement recently, said Atwater's attorney, Jay Trehy. She will share it with Fred Atwater, Kathleen Peterson's husband before she married novelist Michael Peterson.
How much did Caitlin Atwater get from Michael Peterson?
In October 2002, acting as administrator of her mother's estate, Caitlin Atwater filed a wrongful death claim in a civil case against Michael Peterson. On February 1, 2007, Caitlin Atwater and Michael Peterson settled the wrongful death claim for $25 million, which was finalized on February 1, 2008.
What happened to Caitlin Peterson's mother Kathleen Peterson?
After he was found guilty in October 2003 of the murder of Caitlin's mother Kathleen, Caitlin went on to file a wrongful-death lawsuit against her former step-father Michael Peterson. In January 2008 she was awarded $25 million in damages by the judge.
What happened to Caitlin Atwater’s case in the staircase?
The Staircase touched briefly on this with an interview with Caitlin Atwater, although it was easily lost in a series that packed in so much information. Caitlin told the documentary crew that what it came down to for her was the physical evidence.
What happened to Caitlin Atwater after the trial?
After Michael Peterson was found guilty of murder in October 2003, Caitlin Atwater filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against him. It was ruled in 2004 that Atwater and her biological father would be awarded the $1.5 million life insurance policy in Kathleen’s name, which was initially would go to Peterson, WRAL reports. In 2007, Atwater and Peterson settled the wrongful-death lawsuit for $25 million. Even when Michael Peterson was released after accepting an Alford Plea, and he was considered ‘indigent,’ Atwater and Durham lawyer Jay Trehy issued a complaint in Durham County Superior Court in October 2017 saying Peterson still owes Caitlin money — another $30 million, in fact, due to interest accumulated.
Why did Caitlin Atwater side with the prosecution?
She didn’t believe that the injuries her mother sustained could have been caused by a fall down the stairs, as the prosecution argued during Michael Peterson’s trial.
How much money did Michael Peterson owe Caitlin?
Even when Michael Peterson was released after accepting an Alford Plea, and he was considered ‘indigent,’ Atwater and Durham lawyer Jay Trehy issued a complaint in Durham County Superior Court in October 2017 saying Peterson still owes Caitlin money — another $30 ...
Why did Trehy file a complaint against Peterson?
The complaint lawyer Trehy filed in 2017 was to keep the previous lawsuit alive — although it doesn’t seem like he think Peterson will ever be able to pay it. “I don’t think he has any money,” Trehy said. He explained that the reasoning behind the complaint was “to disincentivize any effort to profit off this case.” He explained to The News Observer that if Peterson tried to sell his story in order to write a book, for example, they would swoop in and stop it.”
How does Caitlin keep her mother alive?
She shared with the publication that she does actively try to keep her mother’s spirit alive in little ways, like recreating from memory a pasta salad recipe that Kathleen always made. Her mom also liked doing things herself, from cooking to decorating, so Caitlin honors her by doing the same, making her two kids’ Halloween costumes and never taking a shortcut with store-bought party favors. “And when I do these things, it’s like I’m channeling her,” she explained. “It keeps her close.”
Who is Kathleen Peterson's daughter?
But don’t forget that under-the-radar figure in the series, Caitlin Atwater. Although the name might not ring a bell due to the last name, Caitlin Atwater is Kathleen Peterson’s daughter.
Who is Duane Deaver?
You’ve probably wondered what happened to Duane Deaver, the blood stain analyst who committed perjury, and if you’re less familiar with both trials you might still be asking is Michael Peterson related to Scott Peterson. But don’t forget that under-the-radar figure in the series, Caitlin Atwater.
Who is Caitlin Atwater?
Caitlin Atwater Clark. In the years since she first appeared in the documentary, Caitlin Atwater has picked up another name: Clark. After living in London for a few years together, Caitlin married her husband Christopher Clark in March 2012, and the pair settled into a private life outside of Durham where she grew up.
What happened to Caitlin's mom?
I knew what happened to my mom," Caitlin told journalist Ken Fine in an interview 16 years after her mother's death. After he was found guilty in October 2003 of the murder of Caitlin's mother Kathleen, Caitlin went on to file a wrongful-death lawsuit against her former step-father Michael Peterson.
What episode of The Staircase did Martha have anxiety?
Speaking in the penultimate episode of The Staircase in 2016, Martha revealed that she's suffered greatly with anxiety as a result of everything that's happened. "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.
Where does Todd live in The Staircase?
Little is known about him and his life now, but the News & Observer reports he lives in Tennessee.
Did Michael Peterson have enough money to pay Caitlin?
Michael Peterson insisted he didn't have enough money to pay Caitlin what he owed her in damages , but in October 2017 Caitlin's lawyer filed another complaint against him to keep the wrongful-death lawsuit alive. "I don’t think he has any money," lawyer Jay Trehy said, explaining that the reason for the complaint is to "disincentivise any effort [Michael may have] to profit off this case." If he sells his story or writes a book, he'll technically have to pay any money he earns to Caitlin until his debt is settled.
Divisions between Michael Peterson's kids quickly formed after his arrest
According to a 2018 write-up by Bustle, the lives of Michael Peterson's children changed literally overnight following the death of his second wife, Kathleen Peterson.
The rest of Michael Peterson's kids fully supported their father
As a 2018 Heavy explainer noted, Caitlin Atwater was the only one out of her siblings to share her belief that Michael Peterson was guilty.
Almost all of Michael Peterson's kids are still in his life today
Per Bustle, it seems that Michael Peterson's sons and daughters have continued to stand by their father and remain in each other's lives. Citing a report from the News & Observer, Bustle noted that many of them scattered to states outside of North Carolina, where Peterson lives.
Who is Caitlin Atwater?
Caitlin Atwater, the daughter of Kathleen Peterson, and Prudential Insurance reached the settlement recently, said Atwater's attorney, Jay Trehy. She will share it with Fred Atwater, Kathleen Peterson's husband before she married novelist Michael Peterson.
What questions did Peterson raise?
The murder conviction raised legal questions about whether Peterson could accept the insurance money. In May, he laid such questions to rest by signing away any further claim to the proceeds.
What did Michael Peterson spend his money on?
Michael Peterson reportedly spent the money on his unsuccessful murder defense.
Who was the dog owner charged with attack by dangerous dog?
Breaking. Raleigh dog owner charged with attack by dangerous dog. Leslie Moreno breaks down the details tonight. — Cyril Alhaj Chesson, 39, who lived on Magnolia Court in Raleigh, was charged with attack by dangerous dog and with breaking a local ordinance of animal at-large.
Did Michael Peterson spend money on his murder defense?
Michael Peterson reportedly spent the money on his unsuccessful murder defense. The lawsuit that Trehy filed for Caitlin Atwater said Nortel violated the federal common-law "slayer rule" when it paid a suspected killer under indictment. The slayer rule holds that killers may not profit from their misdeeds. Nortel has not responded to requests ...
