The family of a woman found dead in her bathtub seven years ago says it's insulting that a movie is being planned about the man accused of killing her.
If Kathleen Savio were still alive, she would have just turned 48 years old on Monday. But instead of getting the chance to quietly remember her, the Savio family learned this week that Lifetime Television is developing a movie about Savio's death and the ex-husband charged in her death, Drew Peterson.
"To hear about it two days after your sister's birthday... doesn't sit well with me or any of our family," said Nick Savio, the half-brother of Kathleen. "Nobody's letting my sister rest in peace. I believe it's sensationalism for Drew. He's becoming a superstar off of this."
Peterson has been in the Will County jail for two years awaiting trial for the death of Savio, his third-wife, whose body was found in a waterless bathtub in 2004. He’s also the only suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. After Stacy vanished in 2007, authorities exhumed Savio’s body and reclassified her death a homicide.
Savio said he realizes he's powerless to stop Lifetime from creating and airing the movie, but would prefer the network waits until the trial is over.
"The important point is... we want this to go to trial. We want him to be found guilty. We want him to rot in jail. This guy's a monster," said Savio.
After word broke about the Lifetime move, Drew Peterson released a statement through his attorney, which said in part: "If I was ever in a movie, I was hoping I would be portrayed by Denzel Washington, but I guess Rob Lowe is OK."
Savio said Peterson's penchant for cracking jokes is "just irritating our family more and more."
"You're going to joke around about this? You're not taking it seriously? Your life's on the line, even though you may not realize it," said Savio.
Although a trial date has yet to be set for Peterson, Savio said his family is mentally preparing themselves for it. He says he plans to be in court as much as he can.
Savio said he intends to the watch the movie, that he feels obliged to sit through it, so he can see how Lifetime portrays his sister's life and death.
| Full Coverage: Drew Peterson |
