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

The case of Drew Peterson, the former Bolingbrook, Illinois, police sergeant convicted of murdering his third wife and suspected in the disappearance of his fourth, remains one of America's most chilling true crime sagas. As of late 2025, the 71-year-old is serving a staggering 78-year sentence, but the legal drama is far from over, with Peterson actively pursuing a post-conviction appeal from behind bars, claiming his constitutional rights were violated. This article provides the most current details on his life in prison, the status of his appeal, and the enduring mystery of Stacy Peterson's fate. The saga of the decorated police officer turned convicted killer captivated the nation, not only for the sensational nature of the crimes but for the unsettling arrogance Peterson displayed throughout the investigation and trial. His legal team continues to challenge the 2012 conviction for the murder of Kathleen Savio, ensuring the name *Drew Peterson* remains a fixture in the headlines, nearly two decades after his wives disappeared or were found dead.

Drew Peterson: Biography and Timeline of a Fallen Sergeant

Drew Walter Peterson was born on January 5, 1954, in Bolingbrook, Illinois. He spent nearly 30 years as a respected member of the local police force before his life unraveled under the weight of his personal secrets.

• Full Name: Drew Walter Peterson
• Date of Birth: January 5, 1954
• Place of Birth: Bolingbrook, Illinois
• Occupation: Former Bolingbrook Police Sergeant (Retired in 2007)
• Wives: Four marriages: Carol Hamilton (divorced), Vicki Connolly (divorced), Kathleen Savio (deceased), and Stacy Peterson (missing/presumed dead).
• Children: At least four children from his marriages.
• March 2004: Third wife, Kathleen Savio, is found dead in her bathtub. The death is initially ruled an accidental drowning.
• October 2007: Fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, a 23-year-old mother of two, disappears. Drew Peterson is the primary suspect.
• 2007–2008: The investigation into Stacy's disappearance leads authorities to exhume Kathleen Savio's body. Her death is reclassified as a homicide.
• 2008: The Illinois legislature passes "Drew's Law" (a hearsay exception rule) allowing certain out-of-court statements to be used in murder trials where the victim is unavailable.
• May 2009: Drew Peterson is arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of Kathleen Savio.
• September 2012: Peterson is convicted of the premeditated murder of Kathleen Savio, largely based on hearsay testimony allowed under "Drew's Law."
• February 2013: Sentenced to 38 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
• 2016: Convicted of solicitation of murder for hire for attempting to arrange the murder of Will County State’s Attorney, James Glasgow.
• 2017: Sentenced to an additional 40 years for the murder-for-hire plot, bringing his total sentence to 78 years.

Life Behind Bars: The Current Status of Drew Peterson

Drew Peterson is currently serving his combined 78-year sentence, which effectively means he will spend the rest of his natural life incarcerated. His life in prison has been marked by significant security concerns and transfers. He was initially housed at the maximum-security Menard Correctional Center in southern Illinois. However, in 2017, he was transferred out of the Illinois state prison system and into federal custody at the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Institution in Indiana. This unusual move was reportedly due to the Illinois Department of Corrections classifying him as a "threat to safety" after the murder-for-hire conviction, which involved plotting a hit on a prosecutor. The former police officer, now in his seventies, has repeatedly mounted legal challenges to his convictions. Despite numerous unsuccessful appeals to the Illinois Supreme Court, Peterson continues to file motions seeking a new trial.

The Ongoing Legal Battle: Appeals and the Bid for a New Trial

Peterson's legal team has focused their efforts on a post-conviction appeal, arguing that his original trial was flawed and that his constitutional rights were violated. This is the last major avenue for him to challenge his conviction. The latest development in this long-running legal saga revolves around his mental fitness and the scheduling of a key hearing. As of the end of 2025, Peterson is seeking to overturn his murder conviction, a motion that has been acknowledged by a Will County judge as presenting a "gist of constitutional" claim, allowing it to proceed. The court proceedings have been subject to delays. A hearing on his petition to overturn the conviction was recently continued, and he was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation to determine his fitness to participate in the proceedings. This evaluation is a critical step before the court can fully address the merits of his new trial request. The results of this evaluation are expected to be shared in a court hearing scheduled for early 2026. This persistent legal fight highlights a key defense strategy: to argue that the hearsay evidence—the statements Kathleen Savio and Stacy Peterson made to others about Peterson's abuse and threats—which was allowed under "Drew's Law," was improperly admitted and compromised his right to a fair trial.

The Unsolved Mystery of Stacy Peterson's Disappearance

While Drew Peterson was convicted for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, the case of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, remains technically unsolved, despite a widespread belief in his guilt. Stacy, a 23-year-old nursing student, vanished on October 28, 2007. Her body has never been found, leading to her being declared legally dead. The disappearance of Stacy Peterson is what initially prompted authorities to re-examine the death of Kathleen Savio. Without a body, prosecutors faced a monumental challenge in charging Peterson with Stacy's murder.

• The Presumptive Death: Stacy Peterson has been declared legally dead, though her remains have never been recovered.
• Cassandra Cales: Stacy's sister, Cassandra Cales, has been the most vocal advocate for finding her sister's remains, consistently conducting searches and pushing authorities for new leads.
• No Murder Charges: Despite being the primary suspect, Drew Peterson has never been formally charged with the murder of Stacy Peterson due to the lack of physical evidence or a body.
• Public Intention: The search for Stacy’s remains continues to drive public interest and curiosity, with every new development in Drew Peterson’s legal appeals reigniting hope for closure for the family.

Drew Peterson's case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of circumstantial evidence and the power of legislative change, like "Drew's Law," in securing a conviction. The former police officer, who once enforced the law, is now fighting a seemingly endless battle against it, with his final days likely to be spent in the same federal prison system he was once a part of. The ultimate question—where is Stacy Peterson?—continues to haunt the community and the American consciousness.