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Newport Beach Police start true-crime podcast series as hunt for fugitive intensifies

Posted at 12:41 PM, Sep 20, 2018
and last updated 2019-12-19 15:46:54-05

(KGTV) — Newport Beach police have written and produced a new podcast in hopes of bringing attention to their search for a local man accused of killing his wife.

News of the podcast, "Countdown to Capture," comes the same day as police increased the reward for Peter Chadwick's capture to $100,000. Chadwick is accused of killing his wife, Quee, and leaving her body in a San Diego County dumpster.

Episodes will be released on Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays, police said. The first two episodes have already been released here. The podcast will cover evidence against Chadwick, court records, and how police believe he has evaded capture.

RELATED: Reward increased to $100,000 to find Newport Beach fugitive

"Over the course of two weeks, we'll be releasing a total of six podcast episodes, each about 15 minutes long. Listeners will hear about Peter Chadwick's crimes, his arrest, the beginning of his court proceedings, and how he has been able to escape justice - so far," a police release read.

The search for Chadwick began in January 2015.

Police say the wealthy Newport Beach man called to report his wife had been killed by a handyman from a San Diego gas station on Oct. 11, 2012. He added that he had been kidnapped by the handyman and forced to drive south with her body.

RELATED: Deputies investigate body found inLakeside

He was arrested near the U.S.-Mexico border. His wife's body was discovered in San Diego a week later.

Chadwick was charged with murder, including a special circumstance allegation of killing for financial gain, making him eligible for the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

Police believe the couple was looking into divorce at the time.

As he awaited trial, Chadwick moved to his father’s home in Santa Barbara, according to OC Weekly. He fled in 2015.

RELATED: Body found in Lakeside is Newport Beach mom

Court documents claim Chadwick studied how to live off the grid, withdrew millions of dollars from his accounts, and told one of his sons he planned to escape to Canada or Mexico, according to the OC Weekly.

U.S. Marshals put Chadwick on their "15 Most Wanted List" in 2012 after the death of his wife.