January 15, 2008
By JOE HOSEY Staff Writer
By JOE HOSEY Staff Writer
Drew Peterson's next-door neighbor took exception to the embattled ex-cop's assessment that his life has returned to normal despite his wife having gone missing more than two months ago.
"Things are not normal. Normal is not children going through Christmas without their mother," said the neighbor, Sharon Bychowski.
"Things are not normal. Normal is not children going through Christmas without their mother," said the neighbor, Sharon Bychowski.
"And normal people don't get publicists," Bychowski added.
Asked about the scarcity of media personnel outside his home last week, Peterson said, "It's a great break -- it's almost like I can live a normal life."
Peterson, whose wife, Stacy, vanished Oct. 28, also mentioned he had attained the services of a Florida-based publicist. The publicist declined to grant Peterson permission to discuss his experiences as an undercover officer with a narcotics unit in the 1980s with the local press.
"If the networks are paying for it, I can't give it away," Peterson explained.
None of this sits well with Bychowski. "I'm in awe of this, what he gets away with," she said.
Investigation still ongoingState police have named Peterson a suspect in the "potential homicide" of his missing wife. Charles B. Pelkie, a spokesman for the state's attorney's office, said the investigation of Stacy Peterson is ongoing, no charges have been filed, and there were no public statements to be made about it.
State police also have reopened their investigation of the mysterious March 2004 death of Peterson's third wife, Kathleen Savio. State police Special Agent Herbert Hardy testified at a May 2004 inquest into Savio's death that investigators found no indications of foul play.
Savio was found dead in a waterless bathtub. After hearing Hardy's testimony, a coroner's jury ruled her death an accidental drowning.
Bychowski said Stacy's friends and family are far from giving up on finding the missing mom. In fact, they will hold a candlelight vigil at 4 p.m. Sunday at Living Water Community Church, 190 Lily Cache Lane, to celebrate her life and keep her memory alive.
Stacy's aunt Candace Aikin will make the trip in from California for the vigil. "I would like to say thank you to all the people for all their prayer," Aikin said. "Our family appreciates all their prayers and all their support."
The friends and family of Stacy Peterson also have organized a fundraising effort March 2 at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park. Money raised at the event will go toward funding searches for Stacy.
But even if she is found and closure is brought to the case, things will never be the same on her street. "Normal," Bychowski said. "What's normal? Normal is Stacy Peterson being on Pheasant Chase Court."
Contact Joe Hosey at (815) 729-6054 or e-mail him at jhosey@scn1.com
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