U.S. & World

Friend: I Posed As Woman To Snag Drew Peterson

Len Wawczak Says He Was 'Ashley' In A Mock Online Romance With Drew Peterson

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (CBS) ― When Len Wawczak wasn't wearing a wire to tape his former friend Drew Peterson for the police, he was often on his computer setting a different kind of trap. It involved lust and a made-up girl named Ashley.

Peterson was boasting last winter and spring about having a secret admirer named "Ashley." In late January, Peterson said he had been talking to the mysterious "Ashley," who was described as a 20-year-old. At the time, "Ashley" was reluctant to go public with her reasons for reaching out to Peterson.

CBS station WBBM-TV in Chicago has learned more about "Ashley." It is Len Wawczak.

"He became real fond of Ashley, and Ashley would be me," Wawczak said. "I am the real Ashley. I'm the one who did the blog, I'm the one who romanced drew. I'm the one who he said he wanted to take a bite out of my cute little a**. Hi, Drew."

Wawczak says as "Ashley," he and Peterson had an online relationship for more than two months.

"I started talking to him in March," Wawczak said. "According to Drew, in his own words, he fell in love with me within the first day."

When Drew Peterson went on "Larry King Live" in April, Wawczak says he told Ashley he would show his love for her on the air.

"He said every time he pulled on his ear, that meant he loved me," Wawczak said. "He tugged on his ear three different instances."

Wawczak then logged on as the real Ashley and printed out instant messages he says were exchanged between Peterson and "Ashley."

Peterson: "Get my message?"
Ashley: "Um no... what message?"
Peterson: "My Larry King message."
Ashley: "You made me smile so big."
Peterson: "That was my intention."
Then Ashley seeks to clarify: "We're talking about you pulling on your earlobe to say you love me correct?"
Peterson: "Yep."

Wawczak says he and his wife decided to cooperate with police because they became suspicious of their former friend about two weeks after Stacy disappeared. He said going undercover was difficult, and at times, he and his wife would leave the Peterson home only to find the car covered in spit.

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