Time and Time again we have heard of missing people and their tragic story of no return. So, why was it so shocking when eight-months-pregnant Laci Peterson went missing on Christmas Eve day 2002?
It seemed that the whole nation was praying and waiting for this beautiful, vibrant young mother-to-be, to be found alive. When 27-year-old Laci did not come home to her Modesto, California home, husband Scott Peterson called her parents claiming that Laci was “missing.”
From his first chosen word of “missing,” Scott Peterson became a major suspect. He was undoubtedly going to be faced with some major questions. Where was Scott Peterson when his pregnant wife was taken from their home? Scott was reportedly fishing the day of her disappearance while Laci was home baking for Christmas day.
Although Scott had his alibi, he did not have police convinced. When searching the Peterson’s home, they found a wet mop outside the kitchen door that was believed to be used to clean up evidence. They then found dried-up blood stains as well as cement residue inside Scott Peterson’s truck.
The police also followed up on Scott’s new boat that he had recently purchased that Laci’s family knew absolutely nothing about. Although search teams were out every day and night and the reward was up to $500,000, Laci’s body was no where to be found.
Without a body, the police feared that they had no case. Months passed with no sign of Laci and speculation grew more and more around Scott Peterson. Scott seemed to be laughing much too often, never seemed to shed a tear and even tried to sell his and Laci’s home and car.
But things took an even crazier twist when a Fresno woman named Amber Frey stepped forward claiming to be Scott Peterson’s girlfriend. Frey was made to believe she was dating an attractive young widower who was still grieving from his wife’s tragic death. With Amber Frey going straight to the police, they urged her to call Scott without letting on that she told the police and to tap their phone conversations.
Scott consistently told Amber that “He had a lot to tell her and that she did not know the true story of Laci’s disappearance.” He also told her that he “could not wait to see her, so they could be together again.” Scott Peterson continued these phone calls on an average of three times a day, while he was suppose to be grieving over her missing wife and child.
When the police finally let the affair of Amber Frey and Scott Peterson known to the public, the perfect marriage of Scott and Laci Peterson was completely shattered. Finally, the police and the public saw Scott Peterson’s deadly motive. Three months after the horrible day of Christmas Eve, the remains of Laci Peterson and their son Connor washed ashore about 90 miles from their home where Scott Peterson had been reportedly fishing on the day of Laci’s disappearance.
Feeling that they had had enough to charge Scott Peterson with Laci and Connor’s murder, police arrested Scott at a golf course just miles from the Mexico border. Scott was arrested with newly dyed blonde hair and a beard with $15,000 in his pocket, camping supplies in his car and three different cell phones packed away in a bag. Scott Peterson was taken to jail where he would remain until his high-profile murder trial began.
After two long years of pain for Laci Peterson’s family and friends, Scott Peterson was brought to justice on Nov. 12, in Redwood, Calif. The jury found Scott Peterson guilty of first-degree murder against Laci Peterson and second-degree murder against their son, Connor.
On Nov. 22, the jury will begin deliberation again to decide whether Scott Peterson will be imprisoned for life without parole or if he will be given the death penalty.
Although Laci’s tragic death was a horrible display of violence, Laci’s life brought about some changes in the law. With the help of Laci’s family, President Bush signed the bill, called the “Laci and Connor Law,” which stated that if a pregnant women is murdered, the suspect must be charged with two accounts of murder.
