Kathleen Peterson
Encyclopedia
Kathleen Hunt Atwater Peterson (February 21, 1953, Greensboro
, North Carolina
, USA – December 9, 2001, Durham
, North Carolina, USA), daughter of Veronica Hunt, was an accomplished student, engineer, volunteer and civic leader. She is well known as the subject of the documentary series The Staircase which addresses the circumstances surrounding her death.
She was married twice—to Fred Atwater in 1977 and Michael Peterson
in 1996.
, and graduated as the number one student in her class of 473 students. She was selected to be published in the Who's Who Book of American High School Students. She went on to Duke University
where she was selected as the first female student accepted into the school of engineering in 1971. She received a Bachelor of Science
in Civil Engineering
and then a Master's
in Mechanical Engineering
in 1975.
Kathleen later achieved executive positions at Baltimore Air-Coil-Pritchard, Merck
, and Nortel Networks, and at Nortel achieved the position of director of information services. Kathleen received numerous awards for her leadership skills and successes from Nortel. Locally, she served on the Board of the Durham Arts Council, aided the American Dance Festival and the Carolina Ballet.
Kathleen's first marriage was to a physicist, Fred Atwater. The marriage failed and ended in divorce in 1985. She had one child with him, Caitlin Atwater.
stating that she had fallen down the stairs. However, Michael was charged with and convicted of her murder.
- for details on the trial
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, USA – December 9, 2001, Durham
Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
, North Carolina, USA), daughter of Veronica Hunt, was an accomplished student, engineer, volunteer and civic leader. She is well known as the subject of the documentary series The Staircase which addresses the circumstances surrounding her death.
She was married twice—to Fred Atwater in 1977 and Michael Peterson
Michael Peterson (author)
Michael Iver Peterson is a fiction writer and politician. In 2003, he was convicted of the murder of his wife, Kathleen Peterson.-Personal life:...
in 1996.
Life and achievements
Kathleen attended J. P. McCaskey High School in Lancaster, PennsylvaniaLancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
, and graduated as the number one student in her class of 473 students. She was selected to be published in the Who's Who Book of American High School Students. She went on to Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
where she was selected as the first female student accepted into the school of engineering in 1971. She received a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Civil Engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
and then a Master's
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
in 1975.
Kathleen later achieved executive positions at Baltimore Air-Coil-Pritchard, Merck
Merck & Co.
Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...
, and Nortel Networks, and at Nortel achieved the position of director of information services. Kathleen received numerous awards for her leadership skills and successes from Nortel. Locally, she served on the Board of the Durham Arts Council, aided the American Dance Festival and the Carolina Ballet.
Kathleen's first marriage was to a physicist, Fred Atwater. The marriage failed and ended in divorce in 1985. She had one child with him, Caitlin Atwater.
Michael Peterson
In 1996 Kathleen married writer Michael Peterson. On Sunday, December 9, 2001, Kathleen was found dead lying at the bottom of a staircase. Michael had called 9-1-19-1-1
9-1-1 is the emergency telephone number for the North American Numbering Plan .It is one of eight N11 codes.The use of this number is for emergency circumstances only, and to use it for any other purpose can be a crime.-History:In the earliest days of telephone technology, prior to the...
stating that she had fallen down the stairs. However, Michael was charged with and convicted of her murder.
See also
Michael Peterson (author)Michael Peterson (author)
Michael Iver Peterson is a fiction writer and politician. In 2003, he was convicted of the murder of his wife, Kathleen Peterson.-Personal life:...
- for details on the trial