The one theory about Kathleen Peterson's death that wasn't featured in 'The Staircase' (2024)

The Staircase is one of those documentaries that hooks you so hard, you're not even ashamed that you spent 10 hours of your weekend watching the Netflix series from start to finish.

But if, like us, you've reached the end of the series and are now spending a large proportion of your time scratching around, looking for anything that might make you feel more sure about what on earth happened to Kathleen Peterson, you might want to read on. Because there was another major theory about how Kathleen's death was caused - and it's got absolutely nothing to do with Michael Peterson.

⚠️Warning: contains spoilers ⚠️

After a three-month long trial in 2003, Michael Peterson was found guilty of murdering his wife Kathleen. The 48-year-old from Durham, North Carolina, was found bloody and apparently beaten at the bottom of her staircase on December 9, 2001. Her husband Michael claimed she had fallen down the stairs and that he'd only found her some time later, but according to the jury there was no other explanation for Kathleen's death: she had been murdered by Michael Peterson. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

But after serving eight years in jail, Michael was subsequently released for six years on house arrest because it was discovered one of the prosecution's key witnesses, Duane Deaver, had misrepresented important evidence. In February 2017, not wanting to proceed with a second trial at the age of 73, Michael Peterson pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter using an Alford plea. This meant he could acknowledge that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him, but could simultaneously insist his innocence.

Because he'd already served eight years in prison, Michael Peterson was free to go.

Now aged 74, Michael Peterson is still living in North Carolina - but no longer in the 3.4-acre property in which is wife died. Now, he resides in a 1,200-square-foot, two bedroom condo and reportedly spends his time with family and writing a book.

The owl theory

We came across a lot of evidence watching the trial play out in The Staircase; Michael Peterson's bisexuality, his bloodied shorts, Kathleen's seven lacerations to the head, the death of Elizabeth Ratliff in similar circ*mstances 17 years before and much, much more. But one theory that wasn't played out in the documentary - despite being referenced in Michael's later hearings - was the owl theory.

The theory was initially put forward by a neighbour of the Petersons (who just so happened to be an attorney too), called T. Lawrence Pollard (or Larry Pollard). In 2009, following further investigation into the crime scene evidence, it emerged that Kathleen Peterson had been holding clumps of her own hair in her hands. Within this hair, microscopic feathers were found along with wood splinters and cedar needles.

As a fellow Durham, North Carolina resident, Larry knew that barred owls were native to the area, and had been responsible for various attacks on joggers in recent times. He theorised that Kathleen may have been attacked outside by one of these owls, which may have become entangled in her hair. The lacerations to Kathleen's head, according to three experts, could have been caused by an owl's talons.

One of those experts, former U.S. Army surgeon and owl expert Dr. Alan van Norman, noted that each laceration on Kathleen's scalp had "the appearance of a trident with three limbs converging to a point at roughly 30 degrees from each other, and a fourth limb converging to the same point at nearly 180 degrees from the centre limb of the other three limbs."

It was thought Kathleen could have been attacked by the owl outside (blood was reportedly spotted outside too) and then stumbled in, disoriented from the attack, before falling on the stairs.

Professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Patrick T. Redig, agreed with the owl theory too. "In my professional opinion, the hypothesised attack to the face and back of the head resulting in the various punctures and lacerations visible in the autopsy photographs is entirely within the behavioural repertoire of large owls," he wrote in an official document.

It might sound laughable that an owl could have been the real culprit all this time, but the evidence was so credible that had Michael Peterson gone on to proceed with a second trial, it would likely have been submitted as cause for reasonable doubt that Michael committed murder.

Michael's second defence attorney, Mary Jude Darrow, told Audubon she believed the theory was possible. "When you look at her injuries, they do appear consistent with being made by an owl's talons," she said.

Ultimately, however, neither Michael nor his attorney wanted to take the risk of a trial. "I would hate to risk my client's life or future on that argument," she added.

As we know, instead of a second trial Michael Peterson opted instead to take the Alford plea, admitting to voluntary manslaughter in a technical basis, while still maintaining his innocence.

"Accepting this Alford plea has been the hardest thing I've ever done," Michael told a news conference just after the court hearing.

Kathleen's family, meanwhile, saw it as a resolution for the 15-year case which came with some semblance of justice for them. Candace Zamperini, Kathleen's sister, looked directly at Michael Peterson while reciting her victim impact statement. "Alford, Schmalford," she said. "You are pleading guilty and you will be regarded as a convicted felon forever."

The Staircase is showing on Netflix now.

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