While state police and volunteer searchers continue to seek clues into the disappearance of Stacy Peterson, her husband, former Bolingbrook policeman Drew Peterson, has created a Web site seeking donations to offset the cost of what the site calls his “defense.”
However, the site — DefendDrew.com — had been disabled as of Tuesday evening. It was operational earlier in the day.
State police consider Drew Peterson a suspect in the disappearance of Stacy Peterson, missing since Oct. 28, but he has not been charged with any crime connected to the case.
Drew Peterson’s third wife, Kathleen Savio, died in March, 2004 in what was initially listed as an accidental drowning by the Will County Coroner’s Office. That case has been re-opened and is now being investigated as a homicide.
Drew Peterson has not been charged with a crime in that case, either, and he has denied involvement in both cases.
Still, the Web site seeks money for the Official Drew Peterson Defense Fund, according to the site.
Text on the site says “media sensationalism” has created hardship for Peterson and “his four dependent children.”
A link on the site allows donors to contribute amounts ranging from $5 to $250 through PayPal.
The site does not provide any information on how much money has been spent or billed for his defense.
The site also says any funds not used for legal fees will be placed in a trust fund for the Peterson children.
The case, which began when Stacy Peterson’s family filed a missing person report with the Illinois State Police on Oct. 29, has resulted in intense law enforcement and media attention for Drew Peterson.
He has made several appearances on high-profile television shows over the past month and appealed on television last month seeking attorneys to come forward to represent him.
