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The 78-Year Sentence: Where Is Drew Peterson Now And What Are His Latest Legal Moves?

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The name Drew Peterson continues to be synonymous with one of the most sensational true-crime sagas in American history, a case that turned a decorated Illinois police officer into a convicted killer. As of December 2025, the former Bolingbrook police sergeant remains incarcerated, serving a staggering 78-year sentence for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, and a subsequent plot to have the lead prosecutor in his case murdered. His life behind bars is marked by continuous, yet unsuccessful, legal challenges as he fights to overturn his convictions, a battle that has recently seen him return to court for a mental fitness evaluation. The case, which first garnered national attention with the 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, continues to generate headlines whenever new legal filings or court appearances occur.

The saga of Drew Peterson is a chilling study in duality: a law enforcement figure who became the subject of a massive criminal investigation, a man whose personal life was a revolving door of marriages that ended in tragedy and mystery. His story is not just about a single crime, but a complex web of deceit, domestic violence, and a legal system grappling with the use of controversial hearsay evidence—a mechanism that became known as "Drew's Law." The persistent mystery surrounding Stacy Peterson's fate ensures that public and legal scrutiny remains intense, even over a decade after his initial murder conviction. The following delves into his complete profile, the details of his dual convictions, and the very latest on his current legal maneuvers.

The Troubled Life and Crimes of Drew Peterson: A Complete Profile

Drew Walter Peterson's life, prior to his criminal convictions, was characterized by a long career in law enforcement and a tumultuous personal life involving four marriages. His path from respected police sergeant to notorious convicted murderer is a timeline of escalating suspicion and tragedy.

  • Full Name: Drew Walter Peterson
  • Date of Birth: January 5, 1954
  • Place of Birth: United States
  • Career: Former Bolingbrook, Illinois, Police Sergeant. He also trained as a military police officer early in his career.
  • Wives (4 Marriages): Carol Hamilton, Vicki Connolly, Kathleen Savio, and Stacy Ann Cales Peterson.
  • Third Wife's Death: Kathleen Savio (d. 2004). Her death was initially ruled an accidental drowning, but the case was reopened following the disappearance of Stacy Peterson.
  • Fourth Wife's Disappearance: Stacy Ann Peterson (disappeared October 28, 2007). She has never been found, and Peterson has not been charged in her disappearance, though he remains the primary suspect.
  • First Conviction: Found guilty of the first-degree murder of Kathleen Savio on September 6, 2012.
  • First Sentence: Sentenced to 38 years in prison for Savio's murder.
  • Second Conviction: Found guilty of solicitation to commit murder for hire on May 31, 2016.
  • Second Sentence: Sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder-for-hire plot, to be served consecutively after his initial sentence.
  • Total Sentence: 78 years in prison.
  • Current Status (December 2025): Incarcerated in a state prison outside of Illinois, pursuing post-conviction appeals.

The Dual Convictions: Murder and Murder-for-Hire

Drew Peterson's current 78-year sentence stems from two distinct and shocking criminal convictions, each painting a picture of a man willing to use violence and manipulation to control his circumstances. The initial conviction for the murder of Kathleen Savio was a landmark case in Illinois legal history.

The Murder of Kathleen Savio and "Drew's Law"

Kathleen Savio, Peterson's third wife, was found dead in her bathtub in 2004. Her death was initially ruled an accidental drowning, but suspicion lingered, especially due to the couple's acrimonious divorce and Savio's fear of Peterson.

The investigation was reopened after Stacy Peterson's disappearance in 2007. Savio’s body was exhumed, and a second autopsy reclassified her death as a homicide. The subsequent murder trial was unique because the prosecution heavily relied on hearsay statements—evidence that would typically be inadmissible in court.

The Illinois General Assembly passed a controversial piece of legislation, informally dubbed "Drew's Law," which allowed the admission of hearsay statements from a victim who is now unavailable to testify, provided the court finds the statements reliable and the defendant caused the victim's unavailability. This law was crucial in allowing testimony from witnesses who recounted statements Savio and Stacy Peterson had made about Drew Peterson’s threats and actions.

In 2012, Peterson was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 38 years in prison. The conviction was a significant victory for the prosecution, demonstrating the power of circumstantial evidence and the controversial use of the new hearsay statute.

The Solicitation of Murder for Hire

While serving his sentence for Savio's murder, Peterson's criminal activity did not cease. In 2015, he was charged with a second felony: solicitation of murder for hire. Prosecutors alleged that Peterson had attempted to hire a fellow inmate to murder Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, the lead prosecutor in the Savio murder case.

The case was built on recorded conversations between Peterson and the informant, which captured Peterson discussing the plot and offering to pay for the hit. This shocking development added another layer of depravity to his public image.

In 2016, Peterson was convicted of the murder-for-hire plot and received an additional 40-year sentence. This sentence was ordered to be served consecutively to his initial 38-year term, locking him into a total of 78 years in prison. This effectively ensures he will spend the rest of his life incarcerated.

The Ongoing Legal Battle: Appeals, Evaluations, and the Search for a New Trial

Despite the overwhelming evidence and the combined 78-year sentence, Drew Peterson has consistently fought to overturn his convictions. His legal team has launched numerous appeals, petitions, and post-conviction motions, all of which have been met with resistance from the courts.

Unsuccessful Appeals and Transfers

Peterson and his attorneys have challenged both the Savio murder conviction and the murder-for-hire conviction on various grounds, including the constitutionality of "Drew's Law" and claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. The Illinois Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed his convictions, rejecting his arguments and solidifying the sentences.

Due to security concerns and his high-profile status, Peterson has been moved multiple times. He was transferred from an Illinois state facility to a federal prison in Indiana, and has since been moved to an undisclosed state prison, a common practice for high-profile inmates to ensure safety and security.

The Latest Legal Maneuvers in December 2025

The current focus of Peterson's legal team is a renewed effort to vacate his murder conviction based on claims of his mental state. In a development reported in late 2025, defense attorneys once again sought to have a neuropsychologist evaluate the former police sergeant.

Peterson was brought to the Will County Courthouse in Joliet, Illinois, for a psychological evaluation related to his post-conviction case. He was seen in a wheelchair during this appearance, indicating a decline in his physical health while incarcerated. The defense argues that his mental fitness should be examined as part of their efforts to secure a new trial or have the original conviction dismissed.

The legal arguments center on whether Peterson was competent during his original trial and whether new evidence or his current mental state warrants a re-examination of the case. While the defense continues to push for a complete exoneration, the courts have shown little willingness to reopen the final judgment on his guilt.

As the legal proceedings continue into 2025, the case remains a stark reminder of the tragic events surrounding the lives of Kathleen Savio and the still-missing Stacy Peterson. Drew Peterson, the former officer who once upheld the law, will likely spend his final years fighting against the justice system that ultimately convicted him of murder and conspiracy.

drew peterson police officer
drew peterson police officer

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