Identity of second woman emerges in David Petraeus’ downfall

The FBI investigation into CIA Director David Petraeus’s extramarital affair was reportedly triggered by a string of harassing emails sent by his mistress and biographer to a perceived love rival, warning her to ‘stay away from my guy’.

Paula Broadwell allegedly sent a number of threatening emails to Jill Kelley, a 37-year-old civilian who organized parties for the US military, who became frightened and turned to the FBI for help.

As federal agents began reviewing the emails they quickly realised that Petraeus was involved in a sexual affair with a married woman and began an investigation to see if there had been any breach of national security.

Although the emails, believed to have been sent anonymously by Broadwell, 40, were said to have contained hints at classified information, the FBI concluded that there was no security threat and that they were instead looking at a case of lover’s jealousy, the Telegraph reports.

According to the report, Broadwell, a mother of two, wrote an email to Kelley and warned her to back off from the 60-year-old former general.

Kelley occasionally volunteered to organise social events for the US military in Florida at the time General Petraeus was running US Central Command and based in the same state.

“We and our family have been friends with Gen Petraeus and his family for over five years. We respect his and his family's privacy and want the same for us and our three children,” Kelley said in a statement.