Maxwell Peterson: Wisconsin Teenager With Angelman Syndrome Life Taken By The Person He Trusted The Most [Discretion Advised]

Maxwell Peterson, 16-years-old, was a beloved student at East High School in Madison, Wisconsin. His special education teacher, Josh Albarelli, spoke with WISC News 3 . He spoke about the happiness Maxwell brought to him as well as his fellow students.

“The thing I’ll remember about him is we made those delivery routes and he was so engaging to everybody. Random people in the hallway, staff, visitors, he loved watching and engaging with people.”

Maxwell Peterson suffered from a rare neurogenetic disorder known as Angelman syndrome. The repercussions of this condition include delayed development, intellectual disability, severe speech impairment, and problems with movement and balance. Most of the time people who suffer from Angelman Syndrome are happy and affectionate people. This is what makes what happened to Maxwell even more disturbing.

On Tuesday, July 23, Maxwell Peterson’s parents received news that there was going to be a change in their son’s respite-care. Respite-care facilities are usually short-term facilities that a guardian or a parent can place their loved one in for temporary relief. At 5:30 in the afternoon, Theodore Peterson, Maxwell’s father, sent his wife a text saying he was taking Maxwell for a walk in the park close to their home.

When Theodore arrived at the park, it is believed that he took a knife and slit his son’s throat. After that, he shot himself in the head with a nail gun. Maxwell died at the scene. However, Theodore was flown to the University of Wisconsin Hospital, where he remains in critical condition on life support.

The only motive police can find at this time was the change in the respite-care situation. Investigators have stated they do not believe the mother knew anything about her husband’s intentions. As you can expect, those in the close Angelman syndrome community are left in shock by what has happened.

WISC spoke with Jeff Mears, whose son Colin has Angelman syndrome. He gave an idea of what must have been going through Maxwell (Max) Peterson’s mind at the park that day.

“That poor boy is probably sitting there thinking what did I do wrong. He’s not mad at his dad probably. He’s just, ‘What did I do wrong? And that’s probably the toughest. I just had to come home and get to my boy. I mean it’s tough.”

Eileen Braun is the Executive Director of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation. She spoke of the shock to the community when they heard of this heartbreaking incident.

“It’s really rocked the Angelman community as people are finding out about this today. I just know from the outpouring from our families that our hearts are truly broken.”

She also gave advice to parents who find themselves in the same situation as the Petersons.

“I just want to encourage our families to seek out each other. Rely on the support of each other and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Maxwell Peterson will be missed by his teacher and his classmates. Grief counselors have been provided by the school district, but according to his teacher, the truth hasn’t quite set in. He expects that to change in the coming weeks when school begins.

“I think it will set in once school starts. When we get the cafe running again there will be a huge piece (Maxwell) that’s not there anymore.”