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| When I meet
my fans, one of the questions I am often asked is: What became of the
people in my books? Here are some updates I have collected.
In many cases, it was my hope that surviving friends and relatives could heal after the deaths of their loved ones. For some people, personal growth was a new aspect to their lives, which helped them deal with tragedy. The crux of the lessons my stories offer are evidenced by the wisdom we can glean by looking back and demystifying how the idea of murder first germinates in a killer's mind.
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| A Perfect Husband | After Michael Peterson was found guilty of the first degree murder of his wife, Kathleen, the Peterson family tragedy became the basis of a Lifetime Original Movie, "The Staircase Murders." Michael Peterson is now serving a life sentence, without the possibility of parole. |
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Red
Zone: The Behind- The-Scenes Story of the San Francisco Dog Mauling |
Robert Noel and Marjorie Knoller were released from prison after
having completed their sentences for involuntary manslaughter.
Noel, who was released in 2003, will serve a two-year parole.
Knoller, who was released in 2004, will serve a three-year parole.
At the time of their release, Noel and Knoller were not allowed to
return to San Francisco. In 2007, the state Supreme Court of California ordered a Superior Court judge to review Knoller's second-degree murder conviction. Following the jury's original finding, the trial judge reduced Knoller's conviction to involuntary manslaughter. The effect of the Supreme Court's ruling is that Knoller may face a reinstatement of the original conviction, leading her to possibly return to prison to complete a longer sentence. Paul Schneider, the adult Noel and Knoller adopted as a son, was sentenced in 2003 to a third life term, this time in connection to a 1995 killing of a law enforcement official. Sharon Smith, Diane Whipple's surviving partner, began a new relationship. In 2003, Sharon and her new partner each gave birth to a child. |
|
The Embrace: A True Vampire Story |
At the time of his sentencing, Rod Ferrell became the youngest person in Florida to be sent to death row. |
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Della's Web |
Della Dante Sutorius' appeal was denied by the Ohio First District Court of Appeals. She remains behind bars for killing her husband, Dr. Darryl Sutorius, |
| All She Wanted |
John
Lotter, who was sentenced to death for the murder of 3 people in Nebraska,
lost his latest appeal. In 2003, Lotter appealed to the
Nebraska Supreme Court, seeking new evidence against Tom Nissen, his
friend and associate in the 3 murders. Nissen became a state's
witness in the trial against Lotter in exchange for life imprisonment. The
Nebraska Supreme Court denied Lotter's appeal. Lotter's legal team
had also unsuccessfully appealed the legality of his sentencing. In 2001, Brandon's mother won a civil suit against the sheriff of Richardson County, Nebraska, for negligence. Sheriff Charles Laux endangered Brandon's life by taking no action after Brandon reported being raped by Lotter and Nissen. In its ruling, the Nebraska Supreme Court held Sheriff Laux and Richardson County accountable for failing to take any action to protect Brandon. The Nebraska Supreme Court's ruling will encourage police departments to better deal with victims' issues, as well as hate crimes. |
| Toni Lawrence was released from prison in 2000. Melinda Loveless, Laurie Tackett, and Hope Rippey continue to live out their sentences in prison. | |
| The FBI Killer | Mark Putnam was released from prison in 2000, after he received time off for good behavior. Putnam was originally sentenced to 16 years in prison following the conviction of the murder of Susan Daniels Smith. After confessing to the crime, Putnam became the first FBI agent to be found guilty of a killing. |
