Mike Peterson Breaks Silence, Proclaims His Innocence In Wife's Death

DURHAM, N.C. — Mike Peterson is charged with killing his wife, Kathleen, in their Durham home last December. On Monday, Peterson broke his silence.

Back in December, Peterson called 911 and said his wife fell down a flight of stairs. Ever since then, he has maintained his innocence and said that he is dealing with life as a murder suspect.

"I'm not worried about what's going to happen because I know what happened and I know what did not happen. I know it'll all work out," Peterson said.

Peterson said the last three months have been the toughest he has ever had to endure. He said his life is a constant battle of emotions with the loss of his wife and the criminal charges against him.

"I'm just filled with this emptiness really," he said. "I couldn't have gotten through it without the kids."

However, Peterson said for the most part, the community has been supportive. However last month, Kathleen's family released a statement that questioned his credibility.

"I think it's all part of the natural process. I understand that. I know what the police have done, and I bear no problem."

Peterson still lives at the Forest Hills address he and Kathleen called home. He said it is a mixture of happy memories and heartache.

"I go into a room, and she's not there. It's five o'clock and she's not coming home, and we're not going to talk. In the evening, there's no one there," he said.

Since Kathleen died, Peterson has maintained his innocence. He is confident his name will be cleared.

"I don't know if it was murder. I don't know," he said. "When I called 911, I thought she had fallen down the stairs and as far as I know, that's what happened."