27. Missing & Murdered- Laci Peterson

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On December 24, 2002, Laci Peterson, eight months pregnant, disappeared from her home in Modesto. Investigators uncovered inconsistencies in Scott Peterson’s statements and evidence of an extramarital affair. He told police he had gone fishing in San Francisco Bay the morning Laci vanished—where the remains of Laci and her unborn son, Conner, were discovered.

In 2004, Scott Peterson was convicted of first-degree murder for Laci and second-degree murder for Conner. Initially sentenced to death, his sentence was later reduced to life without the possibility of parole.

Sources:

48 Hours investigative reporting on the case timeline, marina evidence, and trial strategy (CBS News, 2003–2004).

ABC’s acquisition of taped phone calls between Amber Frey and Scott Peterson (entered as trial exhibits).

ABC News / Good Morning America exclusive interviews with Amber Frey and investigators (2003–2004).

Associated Press coverage of California Supreme Court ruling overturning death sentence (2020).

Associated Press coverage of the trial, verdict, and sentencing (2004–2005).

Autopsy reports (Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office), completed by Dr. Brian Peterson (sealed but publicly referenced in court).

Berkeley Marina parking records (Dec. 24, 2002).

California Attorney General, Respondent’s Briefs in People v. Peterson (Direct Appeal).

Cell phone records subpoenaed from December 2002–January 2003 (used in timeline reconstruction).

CNN coverage of investigation developments, body discovery, and trial timeline (2002–2004).

Court TV daily trial coverage including direct summaries from courtroom transcripts (2004).

Documented police inventories of evidence seized during arrest (vehicle contents).

FBI Trace Evidence Laboratory notes on mitochondrial DNA testing of hair recovered from the pliers.

Financial and property records documenting Peterson’s termination of lease, car sale, mail changes, and satellite cancellation.

Frey, Amber. Witness: For the Prosecution of Scott Peterson (2005).

GPS tracking logs and surveillance warrants issued January 2003 (Stanislaus County).

Habeas corpus petitions filed by Scott Peterson (2005–present).

KTVU, KRON, and Northern California regional broadcast reporting on discovery of remains at Point Isabel and Richmond shoreline (April 2003).

Law review articles discussing People v. Peterson, circumstantial evidence standards, and California’s application of Witherspoon/Witt in jury selection.

Los Angeles Innocence Project filings (2024–2025), including new-evidence submissions and requests for discovery.

Los Angeles Times investigative coverage of the disappearance, search efforts, autopsy details, and trial testimony (2002–2004).

Los Angeles Times reporting on Peterson appeals and developments (2005–2025).

Modesto Bee continuous local reporting from Dec. 24, 2002 onward (search efforts, discovery of remains, hearings, trial, verdict, sentencing, appeals).

Modesto Police Department missing person reports (Dec. 24–25, 2002).

Modesto Police Department press releases (2002–2003), including “Relationship Verified in Peterson Case” (Jan. 24, 2003).

NBC News reporting on the Supreme Court’s 2020 decision and subsequent resentencing.

NOAA & USGS tidal and hydrology data used by state experts during trial testimony.

People v. Peterson, 2020, California Supreme Court, S132449.

San Francisco Chronicle reporting on searches in SF Bay, tidal modeling testimony, and body discovery (April 2003).

San Francisco Chronicle courthouse reporting during jury deliberations and sentencing (2004).

San Mateo County Superior Court, People v. Scott Peterson, trial transcripts (2004).

Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office filings and responses in Scott Peterson post-conviction proceedings (2003–2025).