Judge: Savio estate can be re-opened
JOLIET -- Will County Judge Carmen Goodman ruled Thursday morning that the estate of Kathleen Savio could be reopened.
Savio, 40, was the third wife of retired Bolingbrook Police Officer Drew Peterson. On March 1, 2004, she was found dead in a bathtub at her Bolingbrook home.
An autopsy ruled the death an accidental drowning, but when Peterson’s fourth wife -- Stacey Peterson, 23 -- disappeared in late October, authorities decided to take another look. A new autopsy was performed and authorities now say Savio was murdered.
Stacey Peterson remains missing. Drew Peterson has not been charged in either case.
Goodman also removed Drew Peterson’s uncle, James Carroll of Westchester, as the executor of Savio’s estate. Instead, Savio’s sister and father will become executors.
The judge appointed a guardian ad litem -- or court-appointed attorney -- to represent the interest of Savio’s children.