Laci Peterson was eight months pregnant when she was reported lacking on Christmas Eve in 2002. The disappearance of the Modesto girl and her unborn little one captured nationwide consideration, and her husband, Scott Peterson, was later convicted of killing Laci Peterson and their little one.
The tragic case is the topic of a brand new Netflix docuseries referred to as “American Homicide: Laci Peterson,” and the highlight on the Petersons continues with “Face to Face with Scott Peterson,” a Peacock docuseries specializing in Scott Peterson’s “aspect of the story,” premiering on Aug. 20.
Who was Laci Peterson?
Laci Peterson was a substitute instructor described as “bubbly, vivacious and the life of each get together,” SF Gate reported in 2003.
Born in 1975, Laci was a highschool cheerleader and a softball participant who attended California Polytechnic State College, San Luis Obispo, the Related Press reported in 2004. She majored in horticulture. It was there she met her husband, and the 2 married in 1997. The couple moved to Modesto to be near Laci’s household, based on AP.
What occurred to Laci Peterson?
On Dec. 23, 2002, Laci Peterson and her husband visited her sister, Amy Rocha. That night, she spoke on the telephone along with her mom, Sharon. The next day, Christmas Eve, Scott and her stepfather reported Laci lacking.
Scott informed police he’d final seen his spouse that morning of their Central California house. He’d gone fishing, telling police he’d been on the Berkeley Marina, although Rocha later testified he’d stated he was taking part in golf that day, AP reported. When Scott returned house, Laci’s automobile was within the driveway, however his spouse wasn’t there.
In March 2003, Laci was not thought of a lacking individual however as a substitute, a sufferer of murder, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
It’d been revealed that Scott had a number of extramarital affairs, together with with Amber Frey. She’d aided authorities when she realized Scott was married and his spouse was lacking — once they’d begun relationship, Scott allegedly informed Frey his spouse was lifeless.
Extra:Homicide of Laci Peterson: Timeline as Scott Peterson’s case picked up by Innocence Challenge
Did they discover Laci Peterson?
In April 2003, the physique of Laci Peterson’s unborn little one was found on the shoreline of San Francisco Bay. The subsequent day, Laci’s physique was discovered a mile away and close to the place Scott had informed investigators he’d been fishing on Christmas Eve. The physique was lacking its head and elements of limbs, ABC Information reported.
Scott was arrested later that month in La Jolla, the Modesto Bee reported. Police had feared Scott would flee to Mexico, and when police later searched his automobile, they found “a rope, knives, 4 cell telephones, tenting provides, youngsters’s books,” hundreds of {dollars} in money, his brother’s ID, mountain climbing boots, a shovel, and a fishing pole, ABC Information reported.
How outdated was Laci Peterson?
Laci Peterson was 27 when she died.
What occurred to Scott Peterson?
Scott Peterson was charged with first-degree homicide of Laci Peterson and second-degree homicide of their little one. He was discovered responsible in 2004 of killing his spouse and their little one and dumping their our bodies into San Francisco Bay from his fishing boat.
He was sentenced to dying, however that sentence was overturned in 2020 by the California Supreme Court docket. Nonetheless, there was “appreciable circumstantial proof incriminating Peterson” within the murders, AP reported of what the Supreme Court docket justices stated of their resolution. That included Scott researching about ocean currents and buying a ship with out telling anybody, AP reported.
The place is Scott Peterson now?
Scott is serving a life sentence at Mule Creek State Jail in Ione, southeast of Sacramento, based on the California Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He has stated he’s not responsible, and his case was picked up by the Los Angeles Innocence Challenge earlier this 12 months, which works to exonerate incarcerated individuals.
USA TODAY reporters Erin Jensen and Mary Walrath-Holdridge contributed to this text.
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter masking California information at The Desert Solar. Attain her at pbarraza@gannett.com. Comply with her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.