Officials reopened an investigation into the March 2004 death of Peterson's third wife Kathleen Savio, after his fourth wife Stacy Peterson went missing in October of last year. Savio was found dead in a bathtub in her Bolingbrook, Ill., home.

Will County Judge Carmen Goodman ruled Thursday that Savio's father Henry, and sister, Anna Doman would take the place of Peterson's uncle, James Carroll, as executor of Savio's estate, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The judge's ruling permits the Savios to initiate a wrongful-death suit against the 54-year-old ex-Bolingbrook police officer.

New York Attorney John Kelly, who is representing the Savios, said the suit would be initiated within two weeks, while Peterson's attorney Joel Brodsky said he would appeal Goodman's decision, the newspaper said.

Another judge Thursday denied Peterson's requests to regain possession of 11 guns taken from his home last year after his fourth wife disappeared.