Peters Murder Investigation Renewed

by Amy Kolb Noyes

Thursday, September 2 marks the eleventh anniversary of the murder of
Morrisville resident Cheryl Anne Peters. The Vermont State Police, the
Morristown Police Department, the Lamoille County Sheriff's Department
and the criminal division of the Attorney General's office will be
commemorating this anniversary by renewing the investigation into Cheryl
Peters' homicide.
Vermont State Police Lt. Thomas Nelson is heading up a team of at least
10 investigators on the case. He said some of those investigators are
new to the case, while others were involved at the time of the murder.
Investigators will start with a list of 15 people to interview in
connection with the case. Lt. Nelson said some of the people they plan
to interview were talked to as part of the original investigation. Other
interviewees he termed "new persons who may have information on the case."
Police will also be taking a renewed look at the physical evidence in
the case. Lt. Nelson said they hope to be aided by advances in forensic
science over the past eleven years.
Lt. Nelson recapped the case stating Morristown Police responded to
Cheryl Peters' home on Washington Highway during the early afternoon on
September 2, 1993. At that time her cousin and roommate had found Cheryl
lying dead on her couch, with a single gunshot wound to the head.
The Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called in
to assist in MPD's investigation. It was concluded Cheryl was murdered
the previous evening, possibly in her sleep, while lying on the couch.
"When she died, Cheryl was the mother of four daughters and one son, a
resident of Morrisville and employed at the local hospital," Lt. Nelson
stated. "She also was in the process of divorcing her then husband
Carroll Peters, age 39, of Hyde Park, Vermont and planning to move out
of town. Numerous investigative actions and inquiries over the years
have not yet resulted in the arrest of her killer."
Lt. Nelson continued, "Tragically one of Cheryl's daughters, Jodie, died
this past May in 2004, she too the victim of homicide. Jodie L. Whitney,
age 35, was killed and then reported missing by her husband Edgar G.
Whitney Jr., age 33, on May 27th. Edgar Whitney has since confessed to
killing her at the couple's home in Johnson, Vermont. Edgar Whitney
stands charged with murder and is in custody awaiting trial."
Lt. Nelson told the News & Citizen Jodie's death is the main impetus for
the renewed investigation.