Laci Peterson, who was eight months pregnant, went missing on Christmas Eve in 2002, a case that garnered national attention. Her husband, Scott Peterson, was later convicted of killing her and their unborn child.
The case is explored in the new Netflix docuseries “American Murder: Laci Peterson,” and Scott Peterson’s perspective is the focus of “Face to Face with Scott Peterson,” a docuseries on Peacock that premiered on August 20.
Laci Peterson was a substitute teacher known for her lively personality. Born in 1975, she was active in sports during high school and studied horticulture at California Polytechnic State University, where she met Scott. They married in 1997 and settled in Modesto near Laci’s family.
On December 23, 2002, Laci and Scott visited her sister. That evening, Laci spoke with her mother, but by Christmas Eve, Scott and her stepfather reported her missing. Scott claimed he last saw Laci that morning before going fishing at the Berkeley Marina, although he had initially mentioned playing golf. When he returned home, Laci’s car was in the driveway, but she was missing.
By March 2003, Laci was deemed a homicide victim, not just missing. Investigations revealed Scott had multiple extramarital affairs, including with Amber Frey, who assisted law enforcement upon learning about Laci’s disappearance.
In April 2003, the remains of Laci’s unborn child were found in San Francisco Bay, followed by Laci’s body the next day in the same vicinity where Scott claimed to have been fishing. Her remains were dismembered and missing parts.
Scott was arrested later that month, with authorities fearing he might flee to Mexico. They discovered in his car various suspicious items, including cash, knives, and a shovel.
At the time of her death, Laci Peterson was 27 years old. Scott was charged with first-degree murder for Laci and second-degree murder for their child. He was convicted in 2004, sentenced to death, but this sentence was overturned in 2020. The California Supreme Court acknowledged the strong circumstantial evidence against Scott, such as his research on ocean currents.
Currently, Scott is serving a life sentence at Mule Creek State Prison in California. He maintains his innocence, and his case has recently attracted attention from the Los Angeles Innocence Project, which seeks to exonerate those wrongfully convicted.