Murder of Laci Peterson

Laci Denise Peterson (born Laci Denise Rocha, May 4, 1975) disappeared from her home in Modesto, California, on December 24, 2002, while eight months pregnant with her first child, a son she and her husband Scott Peterson planned to name Conner. Scott Peterson told police he had last seen Laci around 9:30 a.m. that day before he left to go fishing at the Berkeley Marina, roughly 90 miles from their home. A neighbor found the couple's dog loose outside the house later that morning. Scott reported Laci missing that evening, and her disappearance prompted a large search involving Modesto police, volunteers, and eventually national media attention. A reward that began at $25,000 was eventually raised to $500,000.

Detectives Allen Brocchini and Jon Buehler, the lead investigators, grew suspicious of Scott Peterson's demeanor early in the investigation. On December 30, 2002, Amber Frey, a Fresno massage therapist, contacted detectives to say she had been in a romantic relationship with Scott since November 2002, and that he had told her he was single and later a widower. This information led detectives to believe Scott had begun planning to kill Laci before her disappearance. Frey later cooperated with investigators, including recording phone calls with Scott.

On April 13, 2003, the body of a male fetus was found on the shore of San Francisco Bay in Richmond; a human torso was found nearby the next day. On April 18, 2003, DNA testing confirmed the remains were Laci and Conner. Autopsies found Laci's body was missing her head, arms, most of her legs, and internal organs due to decomposition and immersion, and that her ribs and some neck bones were cracked, though the cause and timing of this could not be conclusively determined. Forensic examiners found no evidence of human-made incisions.

The discovery of the bodies shifted the case to a homicide investigation focused on Scott Peterson. Investigators linked a hair found in Scott's boat to Laci via mitochondrial DNA testing and noted evidence of a homemade concrete anchor made in a boat Scott had purchased shortly before reporting Laci missing. On April 18, 2003, Scott Peterson was arrested at a San Diego golf course; he had dyed his hair, was found with cash, disguises-related items, and other supplies, and was using his brother's driver's license. He was charged with two felony counts of murder with premeditation and special circumstances.

Peterson's trial, moved to San Mateo County due to publicity, began June 1, 2004. Prosecutors relied on circumstantial evidence, including Peterson's changed behavior, false statements, and financial pressures, alongside forensic and hydrological testimony. The defense argued lack of direct evidence and challenged the reliability of forensic methods used. On November 12, 2004, a jury convicted Scott Peterson of first-degree murder of Laci and second-degree murder of Conner. He was sentenced to death in March 2005.

In 2020, the California Supreme Court upheld the conviction but overturned the death sentence due to improper juror dismissals. In 2021, Peterson was re-sentenced to life in prison without parole. Subsequent habeas and DNA-testing efforts, including one supported by the LA Innocence Project, have continued into 2025 without success in overturning the conviction.