A 'Staircase' timeline from Kathleen Peterson's death to her husband's Elizabeth was just 43 years old when she died on November 27, 1985. 'The Staircase': Who Are Michael and Kathleen Peterson's Children? They were 2 and 1 years old when Ratliff died. Despite speculation that Peterson may have killed Elizabeth Ratliff 16 years before Kathleen's death, something he has always strongly denied, the prosecution in Michael Peterson's trial didn't accuse Peterson of being responsible for Elizabeth Ratliff's death. It's believed that Michael was the last person to see . Durham novelist Peterson walks out of jail; awaits new murder trial. The 43-year-old died in 1985 in Germany, found at the bottom of her stairs by her children's nanny Barbara Malagnino. The similarities between the deaths of Elizabeth Ratliff and Kathleen Peterson raised eyebrows among the Durham authorities. Our people are our strength, and our differences are celebrated. Sixteen years prior, Ratliff's birth. Her death was investigated by the U.S. military police in Germany at the time. They believe their adopted father is innocent of killing both of their moms, according to the documentary. The Staircase Murder of Kathleen Peterson: What Really Caused Her Death Michael placed two 911 calls, and emergency services attended the scene soon after. Jean-Xavier de Lestrade's The Staircase alludes to the haunting centre of novelist Michael Peterson's infamous murder case. The SBI cited the bloodstain analysis given in the fourth case as the reason for firing Deaver. Pollard subsequently filed affidavits[23] to support a motion that Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson order the state Medical Examiner's Office to turn over all documentation related to Kathleen's autopsy to Peterson's attorneys. An autopsy report released Monday says Elizabeth Ratliff, a friend of novelist Mike Peterson who died 18 years ago, was the victim of a homicide and not a stroke as originally thought. Michael's adopted daughters also believe that he did not kill their biological mother. The two were buried side by side after Ratlitt died. Forensic neuropathologist Jan Leestma testified Kathleen Peterson had likely sustained four blows to the head, not seven as the medical examiner testified. The medical examiner found Kathleen Peterson and Elizabeth Ratcliffe suffered similar blows to the head, including seven lacerations which were sustained by blunt force trauma. Michael, a Vietnam War vet, bonded with Elizabeth's husband George, who was a captain in the military. How we got here, what's new and why they face resistance, 7 arrested after ALE search at illegal business in Raleigh, Texas man fatally shoots 5 people, including 8-year-old. "I've read 260 autopsies from blunt trauma to the head, and never once did I see any of your people say the inflicted trauma is clearly from a homicidal assault," Rudolf is heard saying in the documentary. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. However, things changed once her embalmed body was exhumed nearly two decades later, in April 2003. Elizabeth died in 1985. Although the 13-part programme centres around the mysterious death of Kathleen Peterson at her home in Durham, North Carolina, she wasn't the only woman linked to Michael Peterson to have been found dead at the bottom of a staircase. Peterson was the last known person to see her alive. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. As both their families grew, so did the bonds between them. Netflix's 'The Staircase': How did Elizabeth Ratliff really die? Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Striving to always do so requires passion. Michael Peterson trial - Wikipedia [CDATA[// >