U.S. & World News

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (CBS) ― While authorities search for Drew Peterson's fourth wife and re-investigate the death of his third, the former Bolingbrook police sergeant is again saying he had nothing to do with either incident, and blaming the media for his troubles.

Peterson's current wife, Stacy, 23, has been missing since Oct. 28. Peterson has been named a suspect in the case, and authorities suspect Stacy might have died in a homicide. Meanwhile, the body of Peterson's third wife, Kathleen Savio, has been exhumed after the Will County state's attorney's office called for a new investigation of her 2004 death.

On Monday, Peterson submitted a letter to the Bolingbrook Police Department expressing his intent to resign effective immediately. Police chief Ray McGury forwarded the letter to the suburb's board of fire and police commissioners, according to a news release.

In an interview on NBC's "Today" show, Peterson blamed the media for suggesting that he had been involved in the disappearance or death of either his current or former wife.

"Based on the media coverage, I'm guilty as they come," but, "I think my silence has basically painted me guilty in the media."

Peterson denied that he harmed Stacy or had anything to do with her disappearance, saying that "she found somebody else, that was her exact words." He also said he had no plans to help search for her because he thought she left willfully.

"I'm such a media sensation right now, if I go out and search, I think the search would be hampered by, number one, all the media attention I've been getting, and two – why would I look for somebody who I don't believe is missing?" Peterson said. "She's just gone. She's where she wants to be."

Stacy Peterson's family has maintained that she would never have abandoned her two children – a fact for which Drew said he had no explanation. Stacy's family has also said she was seeking a divorce from Drew Peterson at the time she disappeared and had been afraid of him.

But Drew Peterson said Stacy asked for a divorce on several occasions when upset, and he did not take it seriously.

"Stacy – I'm not trying to be funny here – but Stacy asked me for a divorce after her sister died; on a regular basis," Peterson said. "I'm not trying to be funny, but it was based on her menstrual cycle."

He said the marriage declined after Stacy's sister passed away from cancer.

"She lost her faith. She was very religious before this time, and ever since her sister died, we actually had her to a psychiatrist, and she was on medication, and every day with her thereafter, after her sister passed away, was basically an emotional roller coaster," Peterson said.

He said he had never laid a hand on Stacy, but she had once hit him in the head with a frozen steak.

Regarding Savio, Peterson said he had been the watch commander on duty for Bolingbrook police the night she was found – March 1, 2004 – and he met with her best friend and a neighbor who were both upset. He said the neighbor and friend both went into the house where Savio was staying, but Peterson himself did not.

"Kathy was always accusing me of things, like she didn't want me in the house ever because I was going to steal things," Peterson said.

Later, Peterson said he heard screaming and went inside, and found her in the bathtub. He did not answer the question of whether it appeared to be accidental.

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow ordered Savio's body exhumed last week, saying the original autopsy was likely incorrect and Savio's death was likely a homicide.

Savio's family has said she had predicted Peterson would kill her, and wanted authorities to pay attention in the event that she died.

"They're doing their best do what she asked," said Melissa Doman, Savio's niece. "It's just unfortunate that it took three and a half years and for Stacy to go missing for anyone to listen to us."

"Hopefully, there's some type of trace evidence – maybe they find a hair sample or a skin sample or something, and find out who actually murdered her," added Savio's nephew, Charlie Doman.

"I think (Drew Peterson) did it… but without proof we can't say he did it," Charlie Doman added.

Peterson said he believed the comments from both Savio's family and Stacy Peterson's might have been influenced by the media.

"Maybe they even are prompted by the media to say this or do that. I had a meeting with Geraldo Rivera. He was at my kitchen table and he asked me to tell my story. And as I'm telling the story, he says, 'Say it like this. Say it like this.' And everything he said wasn't my words, and he walks outside, and says, 'Here's a man with a noose tightening around his neck.'"

He said the purpose of his granting the interview was to curtail further media scrutiny.

"I'm doing all that I can – my God, get the media off my back, get them off my family's back. That's all I'm asking," Peterson said. "And I'm here today in an attempt to basically let them see my face – here I am – please get away from my house and leave my family alone."

"Today" host Matt Lauer reminded Peterson that he would face either life in prison or the potential for the death penalty if convicted of involvement in Savio's death or Stacy Peterson's disappearance or possible death. Peterson said he had thought about it.

"It's a frightening thing, but my family's provided for, and my kids will be OK with my brother and sister-in-law, and my son, and I can go in peace if that happens," he said.

When Lauer asked if Peterson had anything to prove his innocence, he said: "No. I don't know what to tell you. Just let the case unfold as it does."

He said if he could speak to Stacy, he would say, "Come home," he said. "Tell people where you are."

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