Episode 106: Ed Petersen – Exxon Oil Executive Kidnapping, Sidney Reso

Retired agent Ed Petersen served with the FBI for more than 27 years. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, he reviews the investigation of the kidnapping and murder of Exxon Oil Executive Sidney Reso. During his career, Petersen handled a variety of responsibilities to include the coordination of complex investigations involving white-collar type crime, fraud, embezzlement, organized crime, foreign counter-intelligence, terrorism and violent crimes, extortion, kidnapping, fugitive and bank robbery cases. Petersen was an FBI certified Hostage Negotiator, Police Instructor and S.W.A.T. Team coordinator. He also served as the FBI’s liaison with professional sports and other state, local and federal law enforcement agencies. Upon retiring, he became the Director of Security for Major League Baseball (MLB), Office of the Commissioner. and in this capacity, worked with all major league clubs regarding integrity of the game issues as well as facility security, trademark infringement and counterfeit products investigations. As co-founder of Buckley Petersen Global, Inc., he has contributed to security assessments and the development of crisis readiness and response plans for corporations, schools, hospitals and professional sports.

Special Agent (Retired)

Ed Petersen

6/16/1969 – 11/29/1996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following are links to newspaper articles about the kidnapping and murder of Exxon Oil executive Sidney Reso:

People Magazine – July 6, 1992: Hoping Against Hope

The New York Times – July 1, 1992: Twisted Tale of a Kidnapping And of Dreams Gone Wrong

New York Daily News – May 22, 2010: Ransom gone bad Exxon oil executive Sidney Reso killed in kidnap try by Arthur and Irene Seale

The Star-Ledger – January 21, 2010: Woman convicted in kidnapping, ransom of Exxon exec in Morris gets released

NBC Connecticut – January 21, 2010: Exxon Exec Kidnapper Goes Free After 17 Years

 

Arthur and Irene Seale (l.) were convicted of killing Exxon exec Sidney Reso (inset) after kidnapping him from his New Jersey home. (DeMaria/News (top photos) Read New York Daily News article here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jerri Williams

View posts by Jerri Williams
Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, jokes that she writes about the FBI to relive her glory days. After 26 years with the Bureau specializing in major economic fraud and corruption investigations, she calls on her professional encounters with scams and schemers to write police procedurals inspired by true crime FBI cases in her Philadelphia FBI Corruption Squad crime fiction series featuring flawed female FBI agent Kari Wheeler. Jerri’s FBI for Armchair Detectives nonfiction series enables readers to discover who the FBI is and what the FBI does by debunking misconceptions about the FBI in books, TV, and movies. Her books are available as ebooks, paperbacks, and audiobooks wherever books are sold. She’s also the host of FBI Retired Case File Review, a true crime podcast with more than 300 episodes available on all popular podcast apps and YouTube.

9 Comments

  1. D.L.November 7, 2021

    PS Please forgive me, I meant to thank FBI Retired Special Agent Ed Peterson, and the entire FBI Team that worked on this case, for working so hard to solve this heinous crime, and find Mr. Reso so his body could be laid to rest.

    Reply
    1. Jerri WilliamsNovember 8, 2021

      Will do!

      Reply
  2. D.L.November 7, 2021

    Sadly, I remember this kidnapping like it was yesterday, as it happened very close to my parent’s house.

    Thank you for this heartbreaking yet poignant interview, Jerri.

    What disgraceful and despicable human beings the Seale’s are (I learned many new details un this interview; I can’t believe those two were even more callous and inhumane than what was reported at the time). That Irene was released from prison in 2009 is another disgrace– although I understand that perhaps a deal was made that she’d get less jail time if she led authorities to Mr. Reso’s remains. But still…

    My heart still goes out to the Reso family.

    I’m glad to hear the Morristownship Police and Sheriff’s Offices, and all the local police worked so well together; it certainly seemed that way during this local “tragedy” (I feel like the word “tragedy” doesn’t even begin to suffice the torment both Mr. Reso and his family, respectively, endured.

    Thank you for bringing this case to light to your listeners.

    Reply
    1. Jerri WilliamsNovember 8, 2021

      Another example of how important it is for law enforcement agencies to work together. Thanks for listening!

      Reply
  3. Gabriel JoseOctober 14, 2021

    What a terric interview Jerri. You did a great job with this, asking questions at the right place and letting the narrative flow as needed

    Reply
    1. Jerri WilliamsOctober 17, 2021

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Apache.orgJanuary 24, 2019

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  5. Lou FerrareseMarch 11, 2018

    excellent interview with great detail

    Reply
    1. Jerri WilliamsMarch 11, 2018

      I agree! Ed Petersen made us feel like we were there.

      Reply

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