Help Find Stacy Peterson Site
My Personal Experience
We finally got our www.Jurorthirteen.com site up and stable in mid-October of 2007. A couple of weeks later, a missing Stacy Peterson, from Bolingbrook, Illinois, was all over the news. Two weeks later we started to report on the investigation, and I had signed into the “Help Find Stacy Peterson” site, to follow the news, and updates. My nick-name on the site was “Friend”.
There were thousands of members posting their thoughts and theories about the case. Several of them had professional experience as former detectives or law enforcement. We all became arm chair detectives and super-sleuthed our way through all of the evidence that was coming out.
As I read the posts, and contributed my own, I quickly realized that the site owners weren’t really interested in our amateur sleuthing abilities. I was a little disappointed in that, as there were some really good ideas floating out there, and we knew law enforcement and investigators were reading the forums.
I kept a semi-low profile and just stuck to occasional comments, after that. Trying another strategy, I thought I would write about the new precedent setting laws passed in Wisconsin, allowing some hearsay evidence in some trials. I was watching the Mark Jensen trial at the time. Jensen was accused of poisoning his wife Julie, and she (like Kathleen Savio and Stacy Peterson) had warned of her possible demise by her husband. She had even written a letter about it.
A U.S. Supreme Court decision laid the groundwork for the use of Julie Jensen’s letter and statements to police, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court created new evidence rules guided by that Supreme Court decision.
I don’t know if my plea to the group helped, but, someone was thinking the same thing and within two months the new laws were on the table, and passed the legislation, Senate and House last year. Did I have a part in it? I’ll never know. I’m just happy to see the law in place, so these women, and others like them have a chance to be heard from the grave. (to see original post that was under the topic “True Help”, at the Stacy Peterson forum, Click Me).
When the autopsy results came out, showing that Kathleen Savio was murdered, it seemed questionable if her case could be discussed at Stacy’s site. Drew pretty well flaunted his new young beauty, Stacy, in Kathleen’s face, so needless to say the families weren’t friends. Cassandra Cales (Guardian Angel on her site) was gracious enough to allow the Kathleen Savio murder discussions in a special forum.
This was no longer just about the disappearance and probable death of one woman, but the probable murder of two women who were, allegedly, controlled by the same man; Drew Peterson.
The most dedicated members would meet and watch live video of them searching the canals and sharing our views. We would go from forum to forum to see what others had been posting and if there were any new updates.
It became harder and harder to post at the Help Find Stacy Peterson site. You were stopped if you gave a thought about the case more than sympathy to the family. Joel Brodsky must have been giving the site all kinds of trouble because you best not post a real opinion about the case, or you would get in trouble and your post would be deleted.
They decided to do a benefit, in March, 2008, to raise money for further searches. As a graphic designer, I provided a benefit flyer to be printed out. Many, many, good hearted people got involved by donating, distributing flyers, including other flyers donated by eager helpers. Many more sent in items to be auctioned off. They had many organizers and supporters who did a fantastic job. It was fun to be a part of so many people who truly cared.
Then the rumors began. Where is the money being spent? On what? Who’s spending it? There were a lot of accusations about misappropriation of the monies, including the possibility that one of the organizers had flown out a favorite member to Illinois, to be at the benefit, on the benefit money. Remember… I did say rumor.
A few weeks later people were dropping like flies around there. People who did nothing but help were banned for no apparent reason, and with no explanation or warnings.
The site got down to the praise the “neighbor” site as they sang her praises for giving Drew Peterson a hard time, and planting a memorial for Stacy in her front yard across the street from Drew and the kids. They were both acting like children at that point. And, in my opinion, to the detriment of the four Peterson children who just lost their mother (second mother for the 2 oldest boys) who, now, had to watch these two full grown adults act like idiots.
The site turned from an informative, supportive place to go, to a bunch of people accusing each other, and then to nothing but syrup.
I wasn’t too surprised when the site closed down in June of 2008. It really served no purpose, anymore. There’s a wonderful site called Justice Café, for those who want to follow the Peterson case more closely and leave posts of their opinions. Be sure to visit.
On the whole, good and bad, being a part of that site was a good experience for me. I’ve learned a lot about this case. Many of us, who were members there, have learned little tidbits that the general public doesn’t know, especially any newly interested people.
I know I don’t know all of the ins and outs, the whys and why-nots, and the hidden details behind the decisions that were made on the site, which probably gives me a bit of a skewed interpretation of events, but this is MY experience and opinion.
As I close, I want to let Cassandra Cales know that I, along with many, still think of her, and support the cause of finding her sister. I truly wish her the best. I hope they fry the guy who “hid” her.
Cloey (aka Friend)
Posted by jurorthirteen 
Cassandra Cales, Stacy Peterson’s sister, hasn’t seen her niece, Laci, and nephew, Anthony, for months, now. The family has been concerned about the children’s safety since Stacy went missing, and they found out that Kathleen Savio was murdered.
Posted by jurorthirteen 
Kathleen Savio, Drew Peterson’s third wife, died March 1, 2004. Her death was ruled as an accidental drowning, at the time, when her body was found in a dry bathtub. This happen approximately one month before a scheduled court date to approve the division of assets, after her divorce from Drew Peterson.
Posted by jurorthirteen 
