Drew Peterson: Part 2 : Profiling a Psychopath

Psychopaths present themselves initially as intensely interested in a woman. And according to Sandra Brown, M.A., author of "Women Who Love Psychopaths," they have connected the dots to design the best approach to get her.

Kathleen Savio: In 1992, Kathleen Savio accountant in her late twenties when a mutual acquaintance who happened to be a police officer’s wife set up a blind date for her to meet Drew Peterson. What Kathleen did not know at the time was Drew was still married to his second wife Vicki Connelly. But, Drew charmed her telling Kathleen he was divorcing Vicki because she was a herion addict. And what would Drew have to gain by lying? A clever psychopath always pre-sets the stage for their prey. In addition, he sealed his love bond with Kathleen knowing damn well she would never make contact with Vicki, much less allow the woman anywhere near her.

Drew Peterson was indeed, the master of his own stage. Kathleen likely thought to herself his explaination about Vicki sounded logical. The relationship built quickly, sharing feelings, talking, and eye-gazing. All the phases Peterson created to form his false "love bond."

Within a few short months Peterson quickly moved through the stages of psychopath attraction (as detailed in the book) and bonding like "road runner on crack" asking Kathleen to marry him. With excitement in her voice she called members of her family to share the news of the couple’s engagement and impending marriage. Kathleen felt good about her decision knowing she was marrying a man who made her feel safe and secure. And in a blink of an eye, they were married.

The majority of those whom fall prey to men such as Drew Peterson have invested themselves totally in the relationship similar to an invisable toxic drug. Kathleen was no different. After her first child was born, the "love bond" shifted, Peterson became verbally abusive telling her she was "dog ugly" or fat after the birth of her son. She tried to please him and return to the place where the fire began in the relationship when they were dating. It was too late, Peterson had already worked at the core of her soul, over time isolating her from family and friends until she had no support system left. When his words were not enough to break her, he used his fists to drive his point home. Within two years another child was born to the marriage. But another child in the marriage only added to the madness.

Being married to a psychopath with a badge and gun was no different than living in a house without a door to exist. Drew Peterson had carefully set the stage not just with Kathleen, but those with whom he worked.

Part 3 of this series continues Saturday, September 11, 2010

[Susan Murphy Milano is with the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education. She is an expert on intimate partner violence and homicide crimes. For more information visit http://www.saferelationshipsmagazine.com/  She is the author of "Time's Up A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships," available for purchase at the Institute, Amazon.com and wherever books are sold.  Susan is the host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show, "Time's Up!" on Here Women Talk http://www.herewomentalk.com/ and is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated The Roth Show with Dr. Laurie Roth  http://www.therothshow.com/) ]

Mercedes McCauley : CSI Miami -Chicago Tragedy Unfolds

Last night in Chicago, a real life scene with a tragic outcome came right out of a the television show CSI Miami .

It began as a murder. Mercedes McCauley, just twenty-two years of age, existed a Chicago Church with another person. They were sitting in a car parked on the street. The shooter pulled up beside them and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

Mercedes was taken to the hospital in critical condition. An hour or so afterwards, police arrived at the hospital. The young woman's father over heard the officers talking about a man named Glenn Martinez. He asked what was going on. The police informed the father that the man had committed suicide over on Lake Shore Drive.

"That's the man who shot my daughter", he told police. Apparently, the two were involved in a relationship. Glenn Martinez who was a fan of CSI, matter of fact he never missed an episode.

After he shoots and kills Mercedes McCauley. He heads to the lake, shoots himself in the chest, then throws the murder weapon about fifteen feet into the lake. He was trying to make it look like someone shot him.

Had police not been at the hospital and the father not overheard the conversation, both cases would have gone unsolved. The gun was recoverd today by divers.

Mercedes McCauley did in fact have a criminal order of protection. She was scheduled to be in court on April 17, 20o8.

Real life tragically, does imitate those "entertainment" type shows that are so popular like CSI and others currently on the air.

But this is not entertainment. It is real life. Martinez used a gun. In my book, he was a coward and a murder. Taking away a father's daughter. Leaving her family to live with the aftermath of a war where the death toll numbers do not accurately tell the real story of its victim's.

No this was just not some random act. Or another "domestic violence" incident. It was a murder of the worst kind, one that society continues to ignore. Relationship murder victims have surpassed the number of those killed fighting for our Country.

The enemies of this war are armed and dangerous. They are the friendly neighbor. The person who gives you a ride when you are late for work. The officer who was just at your home investigating a crime. Or, the postman who delivered your mail just this morning.

The victims, we are less likely to remember. There are just far too many of them.

Here is the link to the story: http://www.nbc5.com/news/15812028/detail.html?dl=headlineclick&taf=chi