In another post, the poster says that there was discussion of Martha Blair adopting Martha but not Margaret who would stay with MP. 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. 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. He said that while he was married to Kathleen, his second wife, he only had affairs with men. Todd, Clayton, Martha, and Margaret have stood by Michael and believe that Kathleens death was an accident. Lizs brother had the same last name as married Liz? Aside from the obvious, striking, physical resemblance of Margaret to MP, Todd, and Clayton, here are five points that suggest that Margaret is MP's biological daughter. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Olivia DeJonge began a career in the world of film and television starting withher 2014 feature film debut,The Sisterhood of Night. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Margaret Ratliff A friend pointed it out as I started watching The Staircase that Margaret Ratliff looks suspiciously like MP, Todd and Clayton. Michael Peterson called their son Todd Peterson, who lives nearby, who came over and called 911, Clayton said. They married five years later in 1997 and lived in the home until Kathleen Peterson's death in December 2001. I agree, although I am unsure of Mr. Ratliffs involvement. This includes his popular 1990s novel A Time of War, which received interest from Hollywood. Pollard had not previously been involved in the case. This response confuses me because Michaels first wife isnt blood related to himso how would that affect Margarets features being almost identical to Michael. Though neither young woman testified during the trial, they were both integral to the case, because the circumstances of their adoption were brought up by the prosecution to point towards Michael's possible guilt. Yes. (2004-2018) The Staircase II: The Last Chance Self - Michael Peterson's Adopted Daughter. Sophie Turner wears a cute daisy crocheted bucket hat while out to lunch at Wally's with husband Joe Jonas on Tuesday afternoon (May 17) in Beverly Hills, Calif.. Like his older brother, Todd Peterson supported his father throughout the documentary series. And shes incredibly cold and lacking in empathy for her birth mother to the point of saying she didnt care about the circumstances of her death. Clayton "Clay" Peterson is his eldest, followed by Todd Peterson both from Michael's first marriage with Patricia Sue Peterson, which once made their domestic quartet an undeniably happy one. Today, Caitlin Atwater lives in northern Virginia with her family. Yes. I thought that was the weirdest exchange Was he implying that Elizabeth had been a show-girl, or something of the sort? Im at a talk by David Rudolph and he states that they had them DNA tested and he is NOT her father!!! 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). 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. A joke on the fact that she is not really his biological daughter? However, underneath, that wasn't the case. "So that's why today I'm very uncomfortable because I feel that I've been betrayed in a way. She seethes with rage her body held tight, lips a straight line, hair mercilessly sprayed into shape As an angry, older woman, Candace is made an easy foil to the complexities of the men in the film., Michael Petersons Children: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. He is at the pool, it's late evening. He claims to have bid goodnight to his wife as she . Anyone have any theories as to whether or not shes actually a Peterson/potential motivation for the death (murder?) Instead, it is an acknowledgment that the prosecution still has enough evidence to likely get a first-degree murder conviction. They did a DNA test. Michael, Kathleen, and their children toast to each otherseeming a happy, loving blended family. Because, call me a conspiracy nut but Clayton looks a LOT like Martha. It's just stopping for a minute to appreciate the value of my mother's life and about the relationships she had is what's most important," Atwater said at the time. Heres a breakdown of the family members, how they sided during Michael Petersons trial, and where each person is now. I hate that I'm replying to this post. Related:Best True Crime Shows On Netflix Right Now. Not just the jawline, its definitely the chin as well. Though Martha and Margaret struggled with allowing their biological mother to be exhumed, the information didn't alter their opinion of Michael. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. A friend pointed it out as I started watching The Staircase that Margaret Ratliff looks suspiciously like MP, Todd and Clayton. . She fell down the stairs." Today, Atwater is married with two children. Margaret Ratliff was born on December 10, 1981 in Germany. At the end of a trial that lasted more than three months and was one of the longest in North Carolina history, a jury convicted Michael Peterson of first-degree murder on October 10, 2003. Though they had divorced decades ago, Michael and Patricia had been living together in an apartment for the two years up until her death. 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. 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. Peterson was also a journalist, writing a column for Durham's Herald-Sun newspaper. are you kidding? But yes, there are tons of threads in this sub covering how Margaret looks like Michael. Shealso lent her voice to the HBO Max Original animated seriesThe Prince. . As for Martha, it is believed that she has taken inspiration from her own experiences and is thus focusing on helping others by serving as a mental health counselor/psychotherapist in Colorado these days. The series follows the trial of Michael Peterson, who was convicted of murdering his wife, Kathleen Peterson, in 2003. Thats not a definitive test considering the source isnt 100% for sure to have been Margarets DNA. Growing up, Caitlin was close with Martha and Margaret. Schwarzenegger has also been cast to appear as Golden Boy inThe Boys'spinoffseries. So why does she look like him? Why wouldnt they leave their kids to family? 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. Anyone have any theories as to whether or not she's actually a Peterson/potential motivation for the death (murder?) Streamlined nose. The true story confirms that he dated Sophie Brunet, who is portrayed by Juliette Binoche in HBO's The Staircaseseries. First of all, if we are to accept the paternity test, then they are not genetically related. Lads. Daisy Jones & The Six Is A Nostalgic Series Based On A Best-Selling Book, The 'Ted Lasso' Season 3 Trailer Is Finally Here & Fellas, It'll Give You Goosebumps, '1923' Will Deliver More Dutton Family Drama In Season 2 Of The 'Yellowstone' Prequel, 'Yellowjackets' Season 3 Is Officially Happening, What Parents Are Talking About Delivered Straight To Your Inbox, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. In 2002, she filed a wrongful death lawsuit against him, which they settled for $25 million in 2007. 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 . But I wouldnt say I worry about my dad. Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. At some point, the sons stop living with Patty. Having appeared in a wide variety of films and television series,she is best known for her roles inScream 3, Dazed and Confused,andBlade: Trinity. Black passed away in 2018 as a result of end-stage liver cancer caused by chronic alcoholism. Since then, her filmography has expanded to include roles insuch movies asA Million Little Pieces, Shirley,andThe Professor. Netflix Together, Elizabeth and George Ratliff had two daughters, Margaret and Martha Ratliff, who Michael Peterson . 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. Todd was the first person to see Michael after Kathleen died, as shown in the first episode of HBO Maxs new series. Pinterest. Ratliff was Mike Peterson's friend who died in Germany nearly two decades ago. How do we know if Margaret is the one who licked the envelope closed? The letter "P" styled to look like a thumbtack pin. 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. The bruising on her wrists and hands further supports this theory.Kathleen also had contusions on her back and posterior arms, which make sense if the back of her head was being repeatedly thrust into a step. Martha's going home to Durham for. The death of his wife Kathleen, however, sent his life into turmoil. They did an inconclusive surreptitious one where they confiscated an apparent envelop Margaret allegedly licked. If so, he most likely grabbed her by the hair on the front of her head with his right hand and then used his left hand to help repeatedly slam the back of her head into the wooden step at the bottom of the service stairs. I truly think the Germany link is KEY to this- I truly believe hes guilty. He has won several accolades throughout his career, including an Academy Award, two BAFTAs, and a Golden Globe, and he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2011 for his service in the dramatic arts. Performance & security by Cloudflare. And first, Caitlin also believed in Michaels innocence. The couple also were legal guardians to Margaret and Martha, who lost their . Yes. 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. Margaret Ratliff, Clayton Peterson, Todd Peterson, and Martha Ratliff in Dateline NBC (1992) People Margaret Ratliff, Clayton Peterson, Todd Peterson, Martha Ratliff. I just recently found out MP was friends with Tom Radliff (Liz's George's brother) and was still in touch with him at the time of Kathleen's death. good friends with George and Elizabeth Ratliff. And he always references the two girls before his sons. Although they did not share any biological children, their children from previous marriages and even a completely separate marriage allowed them to come together to form a family. Allegedly adopted children slightly take on the looks of those who raise them. Like Kathleen, Ratliff was found dead at the bottom of a staircase. But they're not all irrelevant. I wholeheartedly believe she is Michael's biological daughter. 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. Michael and Patty, along with their young boys, reportedly resided in Germany for quite a while around the 1980s, where they befriended their . Peterson adopted Margaret and Martha Ratliff after their mother Elizabeth "Liz" Ratliff died in 1985 in Germany at the age of 43. June 22, 2018 Michael Peterson's adopted daughters, Martha and Margaret Ratliff, were front and center in The Staircase. Michael and Patti Peterson had been living in Germany with their sons Todd and Clayton when they became good friends with George and Elizabeth Ratliff. Margaret and Martha Ratliff are the adopted daughters of Michael and Patricia Peterson. While the plea is technically a guilty one, it is not an admission of guilt. 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