The trial of Drew Peterson finally reached its conclusion today three years after the former suburban Chicago police officer was first charged with the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

A jury of his peers found Peterson guilty of first-degree murder; he now faces a possible 60 years in prison.

Peterson was not suspected of killing Savio, who was found dead in 2004, until his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson mysteriously vanished in 2007. Her whereabouts remain unknown.

As prosecutors had no physical evidence linking Peterson to Savio's death, they relied instead on secondhand hearsay statements attributed to the women. This was made possible by the newly minted "Drew's Law," which could also serve as ground for Peterson's appeal.

Relatives of Savio hope today's conviction paves the way for Peterson to be charged in connection with Stacy's disapperance. "Stacy, you are now next for justice," said Savio's half-brother Nicholas.

Sentencing will take place in November.

[photo via AP]