Chicago Tribune
January 19, 2008 Saturday
January 19, 2008 Saturday
Chicagoland Final Edition
Copyright 2008
By Hal Dardick, Tribune reporter
Former Bolingbrook police Sgt. Drew Peterson remains the prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife Stacy, based on newly gathered information, Illinois State Police officials said Friday.
"We are focusing our resources in another direction that is reinforcing the theory that Mr. Peterson is a suspect," Sgt. Thomas Burek said. "The focus has stayed the same. Mr Peterson is the prime suspect, and we've learned new information that has supported that."
Peterson's lawyer, Joel Brodsky, this week released a transcript of a racy text message he said was left on Stacy's cell phone more than a month before she disappeared Oct. 28. It backs his client's contention that Stacy left for another man, he said.
State police dismissed that theory.
"It is apparent that Stacy did not voluntarily cease all contact with her children, family and friends," a statement said. It went on to say "additional investigative resources ... have provided additional investigative tracks that were not previously pursued."
Burek declined to specify the new resources or information, saying he did not want to compromise the inquiry.
He said his statements were not a response to anything Brodsky said. "We're not discouraging Mr. Brodsky from saying whatever he wants," Burek said.
Peterson, 53, said he stands by his belief that Stacy, 23, left for another man.
"Everything I said stands," he said.
Brodsky called the references to new resources and investigative tracks "bureaucratic double talk.
"I think they are just trying to build a circumstantial case, but they are not going to be able to," Brodsky said. "They have given up trying to find her. ... There is no body to find."
But a source close to the investigation said police continue to search for Stacy. They also are investigating the text message, the source said.
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