Opening statements are soon expected to be made in the trial of Drew Peterson, who is on trial on the murder of his 3rd wife.  The trial comes 5 years after his fourth wife went missing.  Her disappearance ultimately raised murder suspicions involving the death of his 3rd wide, and led to charges against him.

In 2009, Peterson, a former Chicago police officer, was charged with the murder of his 3rd wife Kathleen Savio.  She was found dead in her dry bathtub by her husband in March 2004, but investigators ruled that her death was an accident.  There was no attempt made to search the house for any evidence of murder.

However in 2007, Peterson’s 4th wife Stacey vanished without a trace.  Stacy was 17 years old, when Peterson began dating her.  At the time he was still married to Kathleen Savio. 

It was only after Stacey’s disappearance that authorities began investigating Kathleen Savio's death.  Her body was exhumed, and he was charged with murder.  Prosecutors believe that he killed Savio because she was considering divorcing him, and the divorce settlement would have completely destroyed him financially.  Peterson however continues to deny that he was involved in Savio's death or Stacy Peterson's disappearance. 

Kathleen Savio's and Stacy's families are currently united in their efforts to make sure that Peterson pays for his crimes.  Stacy's body has never been found, and she is now presumed dead.  The police have declared her disappearance a “potential homicide,” but no charges have been filed against Peterson in her disappearance.

However, her family is hoping that Peterson will be convicted in Savio's murder, and that the situation will then change for the case involving Stacy's disappearance.