I stumbled upon a ‘Murder Mystery’ on my morning walk this Thanksgiving!
Hello! Hope you spent Thanksgiving in the company of people who care about you. I took time -off with my wife and kids at an Airbnb vacation home in the beautiful town of Durham, North Carolina.
On Thanksgiving morning, I woke up early as usual and stepped out for a walk. My family was asleep, so I was out exploring the woods and the town by myself. The walk gave me a chance to talk to some of the locals who were out walking their dogs.
During my stroll, I came across a magnificent large home located on the top of a hill. On the entrance was written ‘Wonderland’ on a massive iron gate that was locked.
But I felt intrigued and wanted to know more. Just then, I met a person walking his dog, and I started chatting with him. On asking if he knew the owners of this home, the stranger smiled at me. He said, “Are you new here?”
On learning that I was visiting, he started sharing the house’s somewhat macabre story. The owner Michael Peterson, an American novelist, was convicted in 2003 of murdering his second wife, Kathleen Peterson, on December 9, 2001. Eight years later, he was released from prison after he was granted a new trial, and the charge was reduced from murder to manslaughter.
Such was the mystery surrounding the case that the story was made into a Netflix documentary called “The Staircase.”
They say, ‘curiosity killed the cat,’ but I am glad that my inquisitiveness led to the discovery of such a real-life mystery. I couldn’t wait to get back to the room to watch the 13-part documentary.
The point I want to make by sharing this incident is that you never know what you may find unless you talk to people and ask around.
And the same rule applies in business as well. The more you get out there and interact with people, the more likely you will discover something new, something worth knowing.
We all tend to avoid talking to strangers these days, but I am grateful that the fellow early morning walker stopped for a few minutes to share this story with me.
Happy Thanksgiving 2020 to you and your family and please do share or comment on this article if you have the same level of curiosity as I have to learn about strangers?
personal letters kathy peterson murder mystery . michael peterson
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Kunal Jain View All →
Welcome to my world of entrepreneurship, innovation, and social impact.
I am Kunal Jain, a social entrepreneur, mentor, and business leader who has spent the last two decades building and scaling businesses in the U.S. and India. After moving to the United States in 2003 with just a few hundred dollars, I pursued the American Dream, establishing multiple successful ventures in Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), AI-driven healthcare, and entrepreneurship mentoring. Over the years, I have proudly created employment for hundreds of professionals across both countries.
Yet, my heart has always belonged to India. Born and raised in the culturally rich state of Rajasthan, I grew up watching my father, Kaushal Kishore Jain, a politician by profession and a social reformer by heart. His dedication to public service shaped my values, and in his memory, I authored my first book, A Philanthropist Without Money – Kaushal Ji, in 2019.
In 2023, I made the life-changing decision to return to India to carry forward my father’s philanthropic legacy. I now lead the Kaushalm Foundation, fostering entrepreneurship, healthcare innovation, and skill development among India’s youth. Through initiatives like the Aravali Hub, HealthPods, and Rapid Rajasthan Clinic, I am committed to empowering aspiring entrepreneurs, bridging the healthcare gap, and making a lasting impact.
Beyond business and philanthropy, poetry is my soul’s expression. My latest book, ‘Aabhas’, a collection of Hindi poetry, is deeply personal and named after my son. It reflects my journey, emotions, and observations of life, blending nostalgia, resilience, and introspection.
I am a lifelong learner—whether as an entrepreneur, mentor, father, or poet. My journey continues as I explore ways to merge technology with social good, ensuring that innovation reaches those who need it the most.
The name of my blog, ‘Baithak’, is a Hindi word symbolizing a gathering of minds—a place to exchange ideas, reflect, and inspire. I invite you to be part of this conversation.
Let’s build, innovate, and transform lives together!
