Severed | True Crime Podcast

True Crime: The Staircase | Part 4

We timeline the night of Kathleen Peterson’s death, reexamine autopsy details, discuss their relationship/marital issues, and conclude with the owl and our own theories about whether Michael Peterson was involved in his wife’s death. CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic crime scenes and autopsy details, bloody imagery, potential signs of domestic violence, inferred child neglect and/or child abuse, violence towards an animal, and a barred owl. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Source Book: Written in Blood by Diane Fanning (2005) Book: Death by Talons by Tiddy Smith (2023) Autopsy Report: Kathleen Hunt Peterson [https://www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/Other/peterson,%20kathleen_report.pdf] via AutopsyFiles.org [http://autopsyfiles.org] Article: “Subarachnoid Hemorrhage” [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/subarachnoid-hemorrhage/symptoms-causes/syc-20361009] via Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.org [http://mayoclinic.org]) Article: “Investigation of Injuries Sustained From Falls Down Stairs” [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1752928X23000793] by Christiana Legaspi, Tyler Hickey, Michael Pickup, Yi Han via NIH (Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine Vo. 98, August 2023) Article: “Scalp Lacerations” by Abdulaziz and Mohammed Madadin via StatePearls; NIH/NLM (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]) Article: “‘Death by Talons’ Makes an Unconvincing Case for the Owl Theory” [https://indyweek.com/news/culture/owl-theory-staircase-peterson-durham/] by Mark I. Pinsky (IndyWeek; indyweek.com [http://indyweek.com]) Article: “No, Barred Owls Are Not Trying to Kill You” [https://www.audubon.org/news/no-barred-owls-are-not-trying-kill-you] by Becca Cudmore (Audubon Society; audubon.org [http://audubon.org]) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

True Crime: The Staircase | Part 3

We discuss the blowpoke returneth, verdict, and Michael Peterson’s eight-year sentence, followed by an Alford Schmalford plea. This concludes our 13-episode odyssey into the Netflix docuseries.  CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic crime scene details, including blood imagery and strong sexual themes. NSFW. Profanity included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Source Docuseries: The Staircase (2018) | Netflix See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

True Crime: The Staircase | Part 2

We resume our deep-dive into the 13-part Netflix docuseries The Staircase. We share insights about Elizabeth Ratliff’s death, Kathleen’s autopsy findings, Michael’s infidelities (redux), and the blowpoke (not a euphemism in this case, just a fireplace poker you can, apparently, blow).  CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic crime scene details, including blood imagery and strong sexual themes. NSFW. Profanity included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Sources Docuseries: The Staircase (2018) | Netflix Article: “Cerebral Hemorrhage” [https://med.uth.edu/neurosciences/cerebral-hemorrhage/] via UTHealth Houston Neurosciences (med.uth.edu [http://med.uth.edu]) Article: “Diagnosis of Hemorrhagic Stroke in an Exhumed Brain After Three Years of Burial in a Deep Grave” [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22803815/] by Bennet Omalu, Jennifer Hammers, Todd Luckasvic via NIH (Journal of Forensic Science; 57(6); pubmed.ncbi.nlm.hig.gov [http://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.hig.gov]) Article:  “Forensic Autopsy” [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539901/#:~:text=Introduction,of%20the%20evidence%2Dgathering%20process.] by Ritesh G. Menezes and Francis N. Monteiro via NIH (Journal of Forensic Science; ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]) Peterson Emails: “Strange Than Friction” [https://vanceholmes.com/court/trial_mp_ymca.html] via Vance Holmes (vanceholmes.com [http://vanceholmes.com]) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

True Crime: The Staircase | Part 1

We discuss the first two episodes of the 13-part Netflix docuseries, The Staircase. We discuss Michael's and Kathleen Peterson’s relationship, blended family, and Michael’s infidelities that undermine his credibility before his trial for murdering Kathleen. CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic details surrounding Kathleen Peterson’s death and sexual themes. NSFW. Profanity included. Listener discretion is advised.  Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Sources Docuseries: The Staircase (2018) | Netflix Video Recording: Staircase 911 Call [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXdpND1QX_I] | Courtesy of Naomi M Article: “1810 Cedar St.--John Adams Buchanan House” [https://www.opendurham.org/buildings/1810-cedar-st-john-adams-buchanan-house] via Preservation Durham (opendurham.org [http://opendurham.org]) Article: “A Complete Timeline of The Staircase’s Michael Peterson Murder Case” [https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a40059316/the-staircase-michael-peterson-murder-case-timeline/] by Emma Dibdin (Town & Country; townandcountrymag.com [http://townandcountrymag.com]) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Strange Stories: Sword Wielder

We discuss the use of deadly (not fatal) force by Lt. Douglas Itjen on the sword-wielding Connor Darpino, in his Wayne, NJ home in February 2025. Darpino threatened to stab officers with two antique swords while he was overdrugged on Xanax.  CW | TW: This episode discusses a purported mental health crisis, rules of deadly (and other use of force directives), and weapons, specifically swords and guns. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠severedpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠severedpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://severedpodcast.com/] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@severed_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Sources News Clip: ⁠Man Armed with Two Swords Shot by Police in New Jersey⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NjSwXF0vG0] (ABC 7 Eyewitness News) Manual: ⁠NJ Use of Force Policy⁠ [https://www.nj.gov/oag/force/docs/UOF-2022-0429-Use-of-Force-Policy.pdf] (⁠nj.gov⁠ [http://nj.gov]) Article: ⁠“Alprazolam Tablets”⁠ [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19498-alprazolam-tablets] (Cleveland Clinic; ⁠my.clevelandclinic.org⁠ [http://my.clevelandclinic.org]) Article: ⁠“Officials ID Sword-Wielding Man, Wayne Officer Involved in Shooting”⁠ [https://patch.com/new-jersey/wayne/officials-id-sword-wielding-man-wayne-officer-involved-shooting] by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson (Wayne Patch News; ⁠patch.com⁠ [http://patch.com]) Article: ⁠“Can Xanax Make You Angry?”⁠ [https://whitelightbh.com/resources/can-xanax-make-you-angry/] (White Light Behavioral Health; ⁠whitelightbh.com⁠ [http://whitelightbh.com]) Article: ⁠“Sword-Carrying N.J. Man Shot By Cop in His Home Plans to Sue Police”⁠ [https://archive.ph/2CZcM] by Anthony G. Attrino (⁠NJ.com⁠ [http://nj.com]) Article: ⁠“Officials Release Bodycam Video from Police Shooting in Wayne”⁠ [https://newjersey.news12.com/officials-release-bodycam-video-from-police-shooting-in-wayne] by Matt Trapani (News 12 New Jersey; ⁠newjersey.news12.com⁠ [http://newjersey.news12.com]) Article: ⁠“Attorney Investigates Civil Claims About Wayne Police After Shooting of Sword-Wielding Man”⁠ [https://www.yahoo.com/news/attorney-investigates-civil-claims-wayne-014350036.html] by Manahil Ahmad (⁠NorthJersey.com⁠ [http://northjersey.com]; republished by Yahoo! News) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].