Sister of murdered woman speaks about shocking murder

Oxygen True Crime has taken viewers on the winding road of some of the most tragic cases of Accident, suicide or murder. The series looks at unbelievable but true stories of suspicious deaths. Things are not always what they seem when you go down the rabbit hole, as new evidence, clues and details come to light about what actually happened. Investigators and families of the victims help paint the picture by telling these often heartbreaking stories.

The season finale focuses on the death of Patty Wlasiuk in 2002. She was initially thought to have drowned after her pickup truck overturned in the frigid waters of Guilford Lake in upstate New York. That’s the story Patty’s husband Peter told police, but further investigation revealed that a different scenario led to her death. Peter was eventually arrested and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for first-degree murder.

Before the episode, we spoke to Patty’s sister Wendy Jennings about how she is processing the loss of her sister 22 years later.

Wendy Jennings: I was happy because it brought the issue back to the forefront so that people who knew the situation at the time were thinking about it again… When Oxygen contacted me, it was about getting it out there. That’s the story. He’s been convicted not once, but three times. There’s a chance he could be released soon. Do we really want that to be the situation?

What was it like to go through all of that again?

It’s funny because the more you talk about it, the less emotional you get. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t bring you back a lot. I’ve done interviews several times for different programs. I think I found it easier to talk when I had more time. It’s something I talk about anyway when something’s coming up or an anniversary. Last year my sister’s son died. We’ve been processing that. We’re having him buried next to my sister, so there are a lot of connections.

Peter Wlasiuk (The Evening Sun)

There were a lot of moving parts in this investigation. How do you look back on the police work that went into arresting Peter?

I remember being glad at the time that we had such determined people. From the coroner to the police and the accident reconstruction and the constant idea that they were not going to let this case go. It was really the first major case of its kind in this area and this county. It was a big deal at the time. Today, unfortunately, other people have gone through similar situations. It was the starting point where other police departments know what to look for and how to keep the investigation focused. It really was a big deal here. We were glad that these people worked on the case and kept working until they found answers.

How did you cope with the loss?

I think the fact that Patty left behind children made a big difference because you realize you have to keep going because of the children. My mother and grandmother were here. My grandmother lived with Patty for several years, so there was a lot of closeness. You had to be strong for her too. It was a hard situation for my mother and grandmother. It was important to draw strength from the connection with family and to stay close to each other. I think the fact that my husband was in the police before the accident helped because he understood the technical aspect but also the emotional aspect. For me, his support was crucial at that time. I basically drove to Baltimore once a month to visit my family and make sure everything was OK. I also called regularly to stay in touch.

What would you like to tell viewers about this case and Patty as a person?

I want people to just remember that he was found guilty. Do we really want him back in society in this case? I know people still talk about how loved Patty was. They say the same thing about my mother and grandmother… I think with Patty, people should just remember what a kind, caring, loving person she was who did everything she could to help in any way she could. She worked in the hospital and her patients loved her. The paramedics and police officers who came and went to the emergency room loved her. The nurses and doctors loved her. The love she had and felt for them. Her children can relate to that, so despite the horrific situation, it’s a positive memory.

Peter eventually remarried and his wife has been trying for years to build a broad support base to get him out of the marriage. What do you think about all this?

When that one show ended, they went to Attica and interviewed him, and he wouldn’t answer the questions. So, you can assume that if he didn’t want to answer those questions, he’s hiding what? One of the people who was involved with him at the time has since become disillusioned with him. She regrets being involved in the first place. I know it’s a case of, “Yep, I could have told you. You had to learn the hard way.” All that “justice for Peter” and all that stuff, I’m sitting there shaking my head. I’m thinking, “If you guys are really stupid enough to think after three trials, ‘Okay, he was innocent.’ That’s her fault. In my heart, I know that. When we found out he got married in prison, all I could think was, ‘She’s going to learn the hard way, too.’ That’s what he does. He uses and burns bridges and drops you like a hot potato.

Accident, suicide or murderJune 22, 8/7c, Oxygen