Welcome to the owl theory – the belief that Kathleen was attacked by a barred owl outside her home, staggered indoors while bleeding heavily, and then fell on the staircase.

As ridiculous as it sounds, this theory has actual claws. Kathleen suffered seven deep scalp lacerations, yet reportedly had no skull fracture or severe underlying brain injury – the type of damage some experts expected from repeated blows. The wounds were also described as resembling the three-pronged pattern of an owl’s talons.

Then there’s the evidence found in her hands: clumps of her own hair, pine needles and several microscopic feather fragments. Supporters argue she may have grabbed at an owl tangled in her hair while desperately trying to protect her head. Small drops of blood were also reportedly found outside the house and near the entrance.

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Barred owls lived in the area, can become territorial and have been known to dive-bomb humans – usually targeting the head. Several specialists consulted by supporters of the theory believed Kathleen’s injuries could be consistent with a raptor attack.

But before we arrest Hedwig, there are problems. The feather fragments were never conclusively identified as owl feathers. The medical examiner ruled Kathleen’s death a homicide, and the owl theory was never presented to the jury. 

Michael Peterson’s original murder conviction was later overturned because of misleading forensic testimony; in 2017, he entered an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter while continuing to maintain his innocence.

So, did Michael do it? Was it a tragic fall? Or did America’s most wanted owl commit the perfect crime and then fly the coop? In this case, the truth may not be black and white. It may be covered in feathers.

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