The Twisted Fate of Drew Peterson: A Killer Cop’s Life Behind Bars
Drew Peterson, once a decorated police sergeant, is now infamous as a convicted murderer and the prime suspect in his fourth wife’s disappearance. His story is a dark tale of betrayal, mystery, and chilling twists—one that still leaves many wondering: where is Drew Peterson now, and what is life like for the disgraced former officer?
The Murders That Shook a Nation
Peterson first made headlines in 2007 when his much younger fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, mysteriously vanished. As authorities delved into her disappearance, they uncovered shocking details about his third wife, Kathleen Savio, who had been found dead in a dry bathtub three years prior. Initially ruled an accidental drowning, Savio’s case was reopened, leading to a chilling revelation: she had been murdered.
In May 2009, Peterson was arrested for Savio’s murder, and in 2012, he was convicted and sentenced to 38 years in prison. Despite being the primary suspect in Stacy’s disappearance, he has never been formally charged—though the cloud of suspicion looms heavily over him.
A Murder Plot Behind Bars
Life behind bars didn’t deter Peterson from crime. In 2015, while incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center, he attempted to orchestrate a hit on Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, the very prosecutor who put him away. Unbeknownst to Peterson, the inmate he enlisted for the hit was an informant. Their recorded conversations sealed his fate, leading to a 2016 conviction for solicitation of murder-for-hire and an additional 40-year sentence—effectively ensuring he would never walk free again.
A “Living Hell” or a New Lease on Life?
Following the murder-for-hire conviction, Peterson was transferred from Menard to the more secure Terre Haute Federal Correctional Institution in Indiana. The move was reportedly made for his safety, as he had become a high-risk target among fellow inmates. Peterson, however, seemed to view the change as a step up, once describing federal prison as a “daycare center” compared to the horrors of Menard, which he called “a living hell.”
Life in prison has been relatively quiet for Peterson—aside from an early attack by another inmate upon his arrival at Terre Haute. He reportedly worked in the laundry, earning a meager $20 a month, and spent his time watching sitcoms and following national politics. Yet, his safety remained a major concern, leading to his eventual transfer to an undisclosed state facility in 2019.
Where Is Drew Peterson Now?
Peterson’s exact location remains a mystery. The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) refuses to disclose his whereabouts, citing security concerns. In 2021, a letter from Peterson surfaced, addressed from Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, Indiana, but even then, authorities declined to confirm his placement. The secrecy surrounding his confinement has only fueled speculation about the conditions he faces.
If he is still in Indiana State Prison, he is housed in a facility notorious for its poor conditions. Reports of insect infestations, inadequate medical care, and even a 2021 attack that resulted in the death of a corrections officer paint a grim picture of life behind its walls. However, prison officials have denied claims of substandard living conditions.
The Killer Cop’s Final Plea
Despite his double convictions, Peterson maintains his innocence. In 2021, he filed a handwritten motion to overturn his conviction, citing ineffective counsel, prosecution misconduct, and biased media coverage, including a TV movie that he claimed made a fair trial impossible. A judge ruled that his petition contained a potential constitutional argument, leading to a court hearing in 2022.
Yet, most legal experts agree that Peterson’s chances of freedom are slim to none. Even if his murder conviction were somehow overturned, the 40-year sentence for the murder-for-hire plot would keep him locked up until his death.
Will Peterson Ever Walk Free?
At 68 years old, Drew Peterson is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison, far from the days when he once wielded power as a law enforcement officer. The chilling tale of a man who used his badge to conceal sinister deeds remains a haunting reminder of how even those sworn to protect can become the ultimate predators.
