Peterson's second wife was Vicki Connolly. They were married from 1982 to 1992.

In 2010, Connolly testified at Peterson's trial for the death of Savio, according to ABC 7. Connolly said that during their almost decade of marriage, he had pulled a gun on her at least three times. "He put me up against the wall in the garage and grabbed me by the throat," she said, detailing one of their arguments.

She continued: "He told me he would kill me and make it look like an accident."

Furthermore, Connolly’s daughter Lisa Ward also alleged that she suffered 10 years of “physical and mental abuse” from Peterson during her mother's marriage.

Connolly eventually left him after she found out he was having an affair with a woman named Kathleen Savio, who would end up becoming his third wife.