Michael Volpe Investigates Special Report: the disappearance of Eleanor Peterson
None of Eleanor's friends have seen her since March 2022.
Another elderly woman has gone missing, and her friends are worried that this is a sinister plot by her daughter.
Eleanor Peterson is 82. In March 2022, she- living in Pennsylvania- was planning a vacation in Florida.
She never made it.
Instead, she has wound up in a memory unit under the control of her daughter, Charlotte Fenstermacher.
Her daughter’s husband, Ron Fenstermacher, is an attorney in Pennsylvania who specializes in, “a broad range of trust, estate, tax and non-profit areas.”
His area of expertise may be a reason for Eleanor’s plight.
I left voicemails for both Charlotte and Ron but received no response.
Since March, numerous friends who I spoke with, said they have made at least two attempts to see her, and they were denied.
Eleanor’s condition remains a secret; it’s also secret is why she is being isolated from her friends.
This story has several similarities to the story I wrote yesterday about Ana Daniel: this includes that a power of attorney is being used in both cases.
Only, in this case, no one has seen this POA.
In fact, everything about Eleanor’s current condition, and the events which led to her current stay at this memory unit, remain a mystery.
I have pieced together what appears to have happened based on interviews with friends, activists and others.
Eleanor was scheduled for her well-planned vacation.
She never got there.
She was to be picked up by her boyfriend, but instead, she had some sort of medical emergency.
I cannot interview her boyfriend as he has purportedly fallen ill and is similarly in a memory unit: likely not coincidentally.
Her daughter claims that Eleanor tried to commit suicide and everything that has happened since is based on doctor’s orders.
Her friends are not buying it. Her friend Archie wrote an email to Ron in March which stated in part.
I now think I may be comprehending why mum is the word regarding Eleanor’s happiness. I cannot share anything you might say because you won’t commit to telling the actual situation. The operative word here seems to be “commit”. Anything less than commitment can only stay with me. The obvious outcome here seems to be that rumors grow and finally take on a life of their own. We have lived this scenario in our family. Unfortunately, Charlotte was open with me and others about actions she intended to take in order to control “family” money.
Charlotte tried to get my support in proving that Eleanor was incapable of handling her own affairs and friends years ago. I spent many hours in your house trying to persuade her not to go that route. You may remember the day when I arrived at 10:00 A.M. and was still at it 7 hours later when you came home from the office and it was already dark outside!
An approach to avoiding trouble in life is to avoid the appearance of wrong or malicious behavior.
Once again, I ask you both not to continue with this approach to caring.
I am disappointed that you cannot craft a statement that is considerate of all concerned. Most people have to be transparent at some point in their lives even when it is a bit or a big source of discomfort. They are transparent for their sake as well as the loved one they care for. End of life issues seem to be one of those times. Friends want reassurance that their friend is well comforted when life starts to close in and contact with people becomes at once more difficult, more precious and more desired.
I fear that Charlotte has been so open and public in the past that Eleanor’s friends will not forget Eleanor or Charlotte’s stated intentions as relates to money. Charlotte was open with others in addition to me. It’s hard to take back those statements: some believe that the intentions are unfolding in real time and they have no knowledge or information to the contrary.
I sincerely hope that you both can modify your approach to caring enough to provide comfort to all concerned.
Friends have told me that Charlotte has for years suggested that her mother is losing her faculties and needs to be placed in a home.
It’s one reason why they are concerned.
Friends have tried to visit Eleanor on at least two occasions- once in August and in November- and were turned away by the facility and Charlotte.
Meanwhile, in the last few weeks, Charlotte and Ron have hired attorney Gary Samms.
Samms has spoken with Archie, Janice Grenadier (who helped in Ana’s case and in this one), and to me. Samms specialty is below.
It’s not clear why Samms experience would be relevant here, but everyone he’s spoken with has been on the receiving end of some sort of legal threat- veiled or otherwise.
When he spoke with me, he was especially perturbed that I had the temerity to send his client, Ron Fenstermacher, an email before speaking with Samms. That email is below.
I'm looking into the whereabouts of Ms. Peterson. I have spoken with several friends and none have seen her since March. It's my understanding that she is in a memory unit and she may have attempted suicide, but none of this makes sense or can be verified.
You and her daughter, Charlotte, your wife, seem to be in control of the situation. I don't understand how that is so. What is the legal authority you have to put her in this home and keep her there? Does she want to be there and why are none of her friends allowed in there either? Are you trying to take her assets- which I'm told are plenty- while holding her effectively hostage?
Mr. Samms reached out to me after I sent this- which was on Friday Dember 16, 2022- complaining about its contents and demanding I speak only with him.
I agreed as long as he agreed to do an interview which was recorded, sending him this email, “This won't be an attempt to stall. If I don't hear back from you by the end of day tomorrow, I'm calling both your clients and I'll write the article noting your cowardice. I might even quote this email. Talk soon.”
Samms did not respond to emails, and I reached out to Ron and Charlotte after it was clear he would not.
Eleanor’s friends think it’s possible that Charlotte is now mismanaging Eleanor’s money, but that’s all conjecture. What is not conjecture is that Charlotte has made this process entirely non-transparent, which is why there is so much conjecture.