Laci Denise Rocha Peterson
"When I die I don't want people to be missing me. I want people to be happy."
-Laci Denis Rocha Peterson
She was a gregarious hometown girl with deep dimples, a broad white smile and dark brown eyes. She reveled in the company of loved ones. The little 5'1" of energy, light and excitement was strong, willful and wasn't afraid of anything.
On April 13, 2003, a couple walking their dog discovered her son's decomposing, but well-preserved, body on the San Francisco Bay shore in Richmond's Point Isabel Regional Shoreline park, north of Berkeley. One day later, her body washed to shore one mile away from where her baby's body was found.
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Sharon and Dennis Robert Rocha met in high school. They owned a dairy farm west of Escalon, California. 
Sharon and Dennis divorced when Laci and her brother Brent were young. Sharon and the children moved to the quiet town of Modesto, though the children visited the dairy farm on weekends.
Sharon eventually married Ron Grantski, who helped raise Laci and Brent from the time Laci was two years old. Sometimes Ron called Laci "jabber jaws" as a child because of how much she talked.
Dennis also remarried, gaining a stepson, Nathan Hazard, and with his second wife, had another daughter, Amy Woodward.
While attending Thomas Downey High School, Laci was a cheerleader and a softball player.
In 1993, she went to college at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where she majored in horticulture.
Later, she met Scott while he was working at the Pacific Café in Morro Bay. She gave Scott her phone number, and immediately after meeting him, she told her mother that she had met the man that she would marry. Scott later called Laci and they began dating, their first date being a deep-sea fishing trip on which Laci got seasick. As Laci's relationship with Scott grew more serious, he put aside his dreams of professional golf in order to focus on a business path. The couple eventually moved in together.
While Scott finished his senior year, Laci took a job in nearby Prunedale. Around this time, Scott engaged in the first of at least two affairs, and Lacy knew it.
Despite Scott being a dirty cheater, after a two-year courtship and Lacy's graduation, the couple married on the beach at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort in San Luis Obispo County's Avila Valley on August 9th, 1997.
Soon the couple opened a small, popular sports bar called The Shack, near the college campus, which they ran for two years. Scott flipped burgers and Laci handled all the decorating.
They then sold the business in 2000 and in October of that year, they purchased a three-bedroom, two-bath bungalow house for $177,000 on Covena Avenue in an upscale section of Modesto, California, to start a family. Laci soon took a part-time job as a substitute teacher, the rest of the time she'd spent gardening and cooking. Scott landed a job as sales manager for a fertilizer manufacturer in which Scott earned a salary of $5,000 a month before taxes.
Laci Peterson eventually became pregnant in May, 2002. She was over the moon with excitement in anticipation for the little bundle of joy growing in her tummy. However, it has been rumored that Scott didn't want to have kids and wasn't really that happy about Laci's pregnancy.
Later that year, Laci had been sitting with her mother one day on the couch when Laci told her to feel her tummy because Connor was kicking. Sharon put her hand on her daughter's tummy and as she did Laci allegedly told her that Scott never did this, that he never was interested in feeling the baby growing inside of his wife. That in fact, was the last time Sharon would see her daughter alive.
The couple selected the name Conner and began decorating a nursery for him. Laci's initial due date was February 10th, 2003, but was changed to February 16th, 2003 during her second trimester.
In November 2002, when Laci was seven months pregnant, Scott was introduced by a friend to a Fresno massage therapist named Amber Frey. Amber was a single mother and was looking for someone she could settle down with. Scott told her he was single, and the two began a romantic relationship.
On December 2nd, Scott visited Amber and her daughter. He took them hiking and then cooked them dinner.
On December 10th, Laci had her baby shower. Scott and his half sister, Ann, were in attendance. Ann said that Scott seemed miserable to be there.
On December 9th, the friend that set Scott and Amber up together, tells Scott that if he doesn't tell Amber that he is married that they will.
Also on this day, Scott secretly bought a boat with cash for $1,400. He then went to see Amber again to tell her that he was married and that "he lost his wife."
Scott returned again on December 11th, to see Amber. This time he had three dozen roses in hand. He then took her to a Christmas party. At the same time, Laci attended a Christmas party in Modesto. She went alone to the party, except for that little precious life growing inside her tummy.
Scott stayed the night at Amber and the next morning he told her that he had to leave and go to Maine for work. He also told her that this would be the first Christmas he'd spend without his wife.
The last time Scott's parents saw Laci was during a three-day weekend they spent together in Carmel, California the week before Christmas 2002.
Sometime that month, Scott acquired a two day fishing pass that was good for the 24th as well as the 25th.
The last two people to have contact with Lacy before she died, besides Scott, were her half-sister, Amy Rocha, and her mother, Sharon.
December 23, 2002, Scott Amber and told her that he was duck hunting in Maine.
Later that evening, Amy had cut Scott's hair at the salon where she worked, with Laci present. Amy said that Laci was wearing a black top with cream colored flowers on it. She also had on cream colored Capri pants and a black jacket followed by a cream scarf.
While cutting Scott's hair, Amy talked to Laci about Christmas eve dinner and how she had to pick up fruit baskets for their grandfather. Scott volunteered to go pick them up for Amy, since she was going to be working all day. He said that he was going to be going that way anyone because he was going golfing. Scott then invited Amy over for pizza and to watch football. Amy already had plans, so she passed.
Scott and Laci left the salon around 6:30 p.m. Scott alleges that they grabbed pizza on the way home. When they got home they ate pizza and watched football. Sharon spoke with Laci later that night, on the telephone around 8:30 p.m. to confirm their plans for Christmas eve dinner. Scott and Laci then got ready for bed and Laci put on Scott's blue pajama bottoms.
They both got in bed and watched the movie called "The Rookie" before falling asleep.
Either on December 24th or 26th 2002, a house across the street from the Modesto, Calif., home Laci shared with her 30-year-old husband, Scott, was burglarized. The family that lived there, had been gone for Christmas, so they didn't realize that it had been broken into until they got back. Another neighbor had been driving through the neighborhood on that day and had noticed a van parked in the driveway. Two men had been standing by the van.
The two men were eventually tracked down. They admitted to robbing the house on the 26th. They also said that they had nothing to do with Laci's disappearance. The police held a press conference saying that the two men had nothing to do with Laci's disappearance. There were reporters camped out that day in front of Laci and Scotts home. This casts a doubt on claims that the two robbers were there on the 26th instead of the 24th.
Scott alleged that Lacey got up around 7 a.m., got dressed and threw the pajama bottoms in the hamper. She then went down to have a bowl of cereal. Scott got up around 8 a.m. and he also had cereal and Lacy sat with him and had a piece of toast. He said that is when he took a shower as Laci talked about her plans for that day. She allegedly wanted to make a french toast bake for Christmas morning brunch. He said Laci was going to finish mopping, and then she was going to go for a walk the the dog and then to the grocery store for the ingredients for the french toast bake and after that she was going to make gingerbread cookies. Scott claimed that he last saw Laci mopping the floor as she watched Martha Stewart on tv.
Scott loaded three large patio umbrellas into the back of his truck. He wanted to bring them to his warehouse. A neighbor witnessed Scott doing this and waved at him. Scott waved back and wished her a good morning. Scott told the police he left around 9:30 a.m. on December 24 to go fishing by himself.
It was a nine minute drive from Scott and Laci's home to the warehouse. Phone records showed that Scott checked his voicemail at 10:08 a.m. and that he had received a message from his boss. When he arrived at the warehouse he logged onto his computer, checked his email and then sent an email to his boss. Scott also briefly used Google. After that, there is 20 minutes unaccounted for.
Before Scott left the warehouse, he pulled up the door and unloaded some tools from his truck and put them inside. Scott claimed that this is when he cut his finger. He decided that it was too cold to go golfing that day so he hitched up the boat to his truck and left to go fishing.
10:15 am, a neighbor found the family dog, a golden retriever named McKenzie, running loose in the neighborhood, wearing a collar and a muddy leash. She returned the dog to the yard.
Laci's 1996 Land Rover Discovery SE was in the driveway.
Scott drove 90 minutes away to the Berkeley Marina. He got a launch ticket from there, proving that he had launched his boat from there at the time he claimed he did.
Scott allegedly set anchor near Brooks Island to fish. He tried around 20 minutes to catch some fish, but gave up after he couldn't catch anything.
When he arrived back to the marina, he talked to some guys about fishing. Some maintenance men saw someone matching Scott's description trying to get his boat hooked back up to his truck.
Around 2:15 p.m. Scott called Laci's phone and left a message.
“Hey beautiful, I just left a message at home. Uh, it’s 2:15. I’m leaving Berkeley, I won’t be able to get to Vella Farms to get that basket for papa. I was hoping you would get this message and go on out there. I’ll see you in a bit sweetie. Love ya, bye.”
Scott stopped for gas at 3:25 p.m. at a Cheveron station in Livermore, which was 48 minutes from the warehouse. He then called Laci's phone again at 3:52 p.m.
Scott said he arrived back at his warehouse at 4:15 p.m. and put the boat back.
Scott returned home around 4:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. and discovered that Laci wasn't home. He said her vehicle was still in the driveway and her purse, containing her keys and wallet, was on the table inside the house. Scott that he noticed the dog in the yar and let it in. He then dumped the mop bucket that was still in the kitchen. He then took a shower, did some laundry and had a bite to eat.
5:20 p.m.: Scott calls Sharon and asked if Laci was there. He says "Laci's missing." He told her that he came home from fishing and found the dog and her car there, but not Laci. Sharon tells him that his wife is not there. She says that she will call around and see if she can find Laci while he canvases the neighborhood with McKenzie.
At about 5:47 p.m., Laci, was reported missing by her parents.
OPERATOR: Hi, can I help you?
RON GRANTSKI: Yes. My son-in-law called. He'd been playing golf this morning. He left at 9:30. My daughter has been missing since this morning. She's eight months pregnant. She took her dog for a walk in the park. The dog came home with just the leash on.
OPERATOR: So the dog came back without your daughter?
GRANTSKI: Right.
OPERATOR: OK, what is your address there sir?
GRANTSKI: Well, I'm at (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: Is that where she is?
GRANTSKI: No, it's over at Maloma (ph) Park is where she went for the walk. What is Scott and Laci's address? I can't remember.
OPERATOR: What's your telephone number, sir, in case we get disconnected?
GRANTSKI: It's 404 -- Jesus, I can't believe (UNINTELLIGIBLE). (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: OK, so what's the address where she lives and she's missing from?
GRANTSKI: Her address is (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: Is that between (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and Edgebrook Drive?
GRANTSKI: Yes.
OPERATOR: OK. Is that a house or an apartment?
GRANTSKI: That's a house.
OPERATOR: What is your name?
GRANTSKI: My name is Ron. I'm her stepdad.
OPERATOR: OK, what is your name, your last name?
GRANTSKI: Grantski.
OPERATOR: G-R-A-N-S-K-Y?
GRANTSKI: G-R-A-N-T-S-K-I. Her husband is Scott Peterson is on his way over to the park to try to...
OPERATOR: What's your stepdaughter's name?
GRANTSKI: Scott Peterson.
OPERATOR: No, no, no, your stepdaughter.
GRANTSKI: Laci Peterson.
OPERATOR: Laci P-E-T-E-R-S-O-N, right?
GRANTSKI: P-E-T-E-R-S-O-N.
OPERATOR: And she's white, black, Hispanic, Asian?
GRANTSKI: She's Portuguese and white.
OPERATOR: How old is she?
GRANTSKI: She's 26.
OPERATOR: What time did she leave the house and didn't come back?
GRANTSKI: That we don't know. We just had a call from our son-in-law that he left this morning at 9:30 to play golf. He came back home about a half hour ago and she's nowhere around.
OPERATOR: OK, so she went to walk the dog where? What park?
GRANTSKI: Walked it in that park, Maloma Park. What's that park over there? What's it called?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
GRANTSKI: Yes, it's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) over there, you know, by the tennis courts. OK.
OPERATOR: That's (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
GRANTSKI: Yes, you got a flashlight. Absolutely.
OPERATOR: And she's eight months pregnant you said?
GRANTSKI: Pardon?
OPERATOR: You said she's eight months pregnant?
GRANTSKI: Yes, ma'am. Can you get a squad car for me over there? Is that possible?
OPERATOR: Is this over there at Dry Creek Park?
GRANTSKI: I'm sorry, go ahead.
OPERATOR: Is that over there at Dry Creek Park?
GRANTSKI: Yes, that's what it is.
OPERATOR: What was she last seen wearing?
GRANTSKI: I don't know. Scott would. I don't know. She's eight months pregnant. There can't be that many people. She's got short, black hair. She's about 5'1".
OPERATOR: Hold on. She's 5'1"?
GRANTSKI: Yes, dark eyes.
OPERATOR: Dark hair and eyes?
GRANTSKI: Yes.
OPERATOR: So the dog came home without the leash, right?
GRANTSKI: The dog came home on the leash without her.
OPERATOR: OK. You're going to -- so her husband is looking for her right now. Are you going to stay here at (INFORMATION WITHHELD)?
GRANTSKI: I'll stay here, yes, if I have to stay here.
OPERATOR: Because we're going to send an officer over there as soon as they're available, OK, where you're at right now.
GRANTSKI: OK, good.
OPERATOR: What's the phone number there, sir?
GRANTSKI: OK, my house number is (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: No, no, where you're at. Is that where you live at Mossey (ph) Way?
GRANTSKI: That's my house.
OPERATOR: OK.
GRANTSKI: That's my house.
OPERATOR: OK, what's your phone number?
GRANTSKI: (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: Yes.
GRANTSKI: (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: OK, and her husband's name was?
GRANTSKI: Scott.
OPERATOR: Scott Peterson. Do you know what he's wearing?
GRANTSKI: No. He just called me from the house. I have no idea. He's walking -- he's going over there looking for her. He's all shook.
OPERATOR: OK. What's her home phone number there?
GRANTSKI: Her house number?
OPERATOR: Yes.
GRANTSKI: It's (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: OK. We'll have someone out there as soon as they're available.
GRANTSKI: Let me give you the cell phone. He might have his cell phone with him.
OPERATOR: OK.
GRANTSKI: (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: Yes.
GRANTSKI: (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: OK, we'll have someone out there as soon as they're available, Ron. Hello.
GRANTSKI: Yes.
OPERATOR: OK, we'll have someone out there as soon as they're available.
GRANTSKI: OK.
OPERATOR: OK?
GRANTSKI: OK.
OPERATOR: Thanks, bye-bye.
The whole neighborhood along with family and friends helped the police search East La Loma Park for any signs of Laci. There was even a helicopter overhead aiding in the search. The police also asked Scott if they could look through his house, which he agreed. All the police found was indentations on Laci and Scott's perfectly made bed, like someone had been sitting on it. When Laci and Scott's vehicle's were searched, the police found a tarp and those beach umbrellas in Scott's truck.
Scott's office where he worked was a storage shed. The police wanted to check the boat he had in there. Scott said there was no electricity. The police shined their headlights in the shed and took a couple of pictures. The police left and called MID and asked when the power was going to be back on. The said the MID power was never off.
The brought Scott in for an interview and asked him about his marriage with Laci. Scott says that they never fought and that their marriage was fine.
Dec. 27, the F.B.I. get involved.
On December 29th, Amber's police friend called her back and told her to call the Modesto Police Department.
On December 30th, Amber Frey contacted the Modest Police Department. Investigators went out there immediately and talked with Amber. She told them about her affair with Scott. She said that she had been involved with him for over a month and he never once told her about Laci. Investigators asked Amber if she'd start recording her phone conversations with Scott and she agreed.
Dec. 31, Modesto police shift their focus in case to foul play. Also a vigil was held that night. Later it is found out that Scott was talking to his girlfriend on the phone at the vigil. He told his girlfriend that he was in Paris at a party.
On January 5th, 2003, Scott drove 170 miles out to Berkeley Marina in a rental car. He walked out onto the peer and stared for around 5 minutes before driving back and going home. Scott did this the next day as well, except this time, he drove very erratically. Perhaps he was aware of the police surveillance? In any case, Scott lost the police in the crowd of traffic while leaving the marina.
Also, later on the night of January 6th, Scott called Amber and confessed that he was married and that Laci disappeared on Christmas eve. He also told her that before Laci went missing, she knew about the affair and she was fine with it.
Jan. 9, 2003 A sonar search of water at the Berkeley Marina turns up a submerged object that may indicate a human body. But police say inclement weather and fatigue among the divers is preventing
them from retrieving the object or investigating it any further until the weekend.
Also that day, Scott once again drove to the Marina, stared out into the water and left. This time he didn't go back home and instead stayed at a hotel.
On January 12th, Scott went to watch Ann's son being christened. Then he went home and had his cable upgraded to include two hardcore porn channels. He also called Amber that night.
Jan.11, a search in the Berkley Marina turned up an old anchor and no clues as to what happened to Laci.
Jan 16, 2003 Modesto police tell Laci Peterson's family Scott was having an affair. They also inform the family that Scott had taken out a $250,000 life insurance policy on her, according to one of
Laci's family members. Laci's family severs ties with Scott.
Jan. 18, Authorities investigate Scott's whereabouts in connection with the disappearance Kristin Smart of a San Luis Obispo in 1996, when Scott and Laci Peterson lived there. Authorities later determine he had nothing to do with the second missing woman.
Jan. 24, 2003, The police had a press conference, during which Amber Frey, a massage therapist from Fresno, comes forward and confirms she had an intimate romantic relationship with Scott Peterson.
By now, Scott was staying with Ann. Ann, her husband, Tom, and Scot were having wine after finishing dinner. Scott seemed that he was having fun and wouldn't talk about Laci.
While staying with his sister, Scott seemed obsessed with the water where police were searching for Laci's body. The room that he was staying in over looked the bay and it was said that Scott would become angry and would yell and pace around.
Scott would also hit on the young babysitter that would come to the house and watch Ann's baby.
On January 29th, Scott sold Laci's car. And that is not the only thing that Scott was trying to sell. Sometime in this month, he put his home up for sale as well.
On February 10th was Connor's date to be born.. Also on that day was Amber's birthday. Scott gave her an amber necklace, a Nora Jones CD and a bunch of wild flowers.
On February 18th, Scott's residence is searched again. They impound his new truck.
On March 6th, the police declared Laci Peterson's case a homicide.
On April 12th, Scott bought a red Mercedes.
April 18, Police in San Diego arrest Scott Peterson, who is found carrying a large amount of cash and his brother's passport, along with 200 Viagra pills, 200 sleeping pills, camping gear, a Map Quest printout of where Amber lived and four cellphones. He had dyed his hair red. He had been driving 80 miles an hour, weaving in and out of traffic, only an hour away for Tijuana, Mexico. So the police decided to pull him over.
On the way to jail the call came in over the police radio in the car about the bodies that had been recovered being confirmed to be that of Laci and Connor. Scott sniffles and the cops ask him if he would like something to eat. Scott casually told the officers that he wanted a Double Double with Cheese, a small fry and a vanilla shake from In And Out Burger.
On April 21st, Scott was arraigned and charged with two counts on premeditated murder with special circumstances. Which means that if he is found guilty he would get the death penalty.
On June 10th, a gag order was placed forbidding the trial's participants to talk about the case.
Sept. 21, A jailed inmate told investigators Scott Peterson had met with him in Fresno in Nov. 2002 to discuss possibly kidnapping his wife Laci. Peterson's family says Scott and Laci Peterson were in San Diego at the time.
On August 29th, Laci Peterson and Connor are buried in a private ceremony.
On September 26th, Laci's family filed a civil lawsuit against Scott, which would make it so he could never profit from Laci or Connor's deaths.
Oct. 15, Sources say that telephone logs show that Scott called his girlfriend, hundreds of times after his wife's disappearance.
On October 29th, An FBI expert testifies that mitochondrial DNA tests had loosely linked a strand of hair found embedded in a pair of needle-nosed pliers on Scott Peterson's boat to Laci.
It is also mentioned that the necklace and ring that Laci never went anywhere without was left on her dresser. And the maternity pants that was found on Laci's body was the same that her sister said she was wearing on December 23rd. So it was theorized that Laci was killed on the 23rd.
Cadaver dogs were also Scott had been fishing on the 24th, and the dogs picked up her scent at the marina. Investigators also found a white like substance on the end of Scott's boat trailer. They also found a dust pan and a sledge hammer that was covered in the same substance.
On December 3rd, Scott plead not guilty.
On May 27th, 2004, the jury was finalized.
Oct. 29, An FBI expert testifies that mitochondrial DNA tests had loosely linked a strand of hair found embedded in a pair of needle-nosed pliers on Scott Peterson's boat to Laci.
Oct. 31 Laci sister testifies that Scott had told her he planned to play golf, not go fishing, on Dec. 24. A neighbor also reportedly claimed that the night Laci went missing, Scott said he'd been golfing.
Nov. 6, A police detective says in his testimony, that Scott told his girlfriend he was a recent widower on Dec. 9, 2002, two weeks before his wife disappeared, and that Peterson had a handgun in his truck when police responded to his missing-person report.
Nov. 13, Detective Philip Owen testifies Laci's body was found in tan pants. Her sister testifies she had been wearing Dec. 23. Scott had said she was wearing black pants the next morning. Detective Brocchini testifies Scott drove to the Berkeley Marina three times in early January and looked out over the water, twice on days police were searching the bay.
On November 12, 2004, Scott Peterson was convicted of first degree murder for Laci's death and second degree murder for the baby Conner's death.
Scott's boat was a fresh water boat. Where he took the boat on the day Lacy disappeared was salt water. His wife had no idea he had the boat. He made home made anchors. When the police went and searched the boat, the tarp that covered it was covered in gasoline. It is speculated that he attached them to the body.
When the police were searching the marina, Scott would watch the police.
Scott's sister believes he had something to do with Lacy and the baby's murder.
The death of Laci and Conner Peterson led to the passage of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which is also known as Laci and Conner's Law. On April 1, 2004, Sharon Rocha and her husband Ron Grantski were in attendance at the White House when President George W. Bush signed the bill into law. The Act provides that, under federal law, any person who causes death or injury to an unborn child while in the commission of a crime upon a pregnant woman will be charged with a separate offense.
They then sold the business in 2000 and in October of that year, they purchased a three-bedroom, two-bath bungalow house for $177,000 on Covena Avenue in an upscale section of Modesto, California, to start a family. Laci soon took a part-time job as a substitute teacher, the rest of the time she'd spent gardening and cooking. Scott landed a job as sales manager for a fertilizer manufacturer in which Scott earned a salary of $5,000 a month before taxes.Later that year, Laci had been sitting with her mother one day on the couch when Laci told her to feel her tummy because Connor was kicking. Sharon put her hand on her daughter's tummy and as she did Laci allegedly told her that Scott never did this, that he never was interested in feeling the baby growing inside of his wife. That in fact, was the last time Sharon would see her daughter alive.
On December 2nd, Scott visited Amber and her daughter. He took them hiking and then cooked them dinner.
On December 10th, Laci had her baby shower. Scott and his half sister, Ann, were in attendance. Ann said that Scott seemed miserable to be there.
On December 9th, the friend that set Scott and Amber up together, tells Scott that if he doesn't tell Amber that he is married that they will.
Also on this day, Scott secretly bought a boat with cash for $1,400. He then went to see Amber again to tell her that he was married and that "he lost his wife."
Scott returned again on December 11th, to see Amber. This time he had three dozen roses in hand. He then took her to a Christmas party. At the same time, Laci attended a Christmas party in Modesto. She went alone to the party, except for that little precious life growing inside her tummy.
Scott stayed the night at Amber and the next morning he told her that he had to leave and go to Maine for work. He also told her that this would be the first Christmas he'd spend without his wife.
Sometime that month, Scott acquired a two day fishing pass that was good for the 24th as well as the 25th.
On December 20th, Scott bought a fishing pole.
The last two people to have contact with Lacy before she died, besides Scott, were her half-sister, Amy Rocha, and her mother, Sharon.
December 23, 2002, Scott Amber and told her that he was duck hunting in Maine.
Later that evening, Amy had cut Scott's hair at the salon where she worked, with Laci present. Amy said that Laci was wearing a black top with cream colored flowers on it. She also had on cream colored Capri pants and a black jacket followed by a cream scarf.
While cutting Scott's hair, Amy talked to Laci about Christmas eve dinner and how she had to pick up fruit baskets for their grandfather. Scott volunteered to go pick them up for Amy, since she was going to be working all day. He said that he was going to be going that way anyone because he was going golfing. Scott then invited Amy over for pizza and to watch football. Amy already had plans, so she passed.
Scott and Laci left the salon around 6:30 p.m. Scott alleges that they grabbed pizza on the way home. When they got home they ate pizza and watched football. Sharon spoke with Laci later that night, on the telephone around 8:30 p.m. to confirm their plans for Christmas eve dinner. Scott and Laci then got ready for bed and Laci put on Scott's blue pajama bottoms.
Either on December 24th or 26th 2002, a house across the street from the Modesto, Calif., home Laci shared with her 30-year-old husband, Scott, was burglarized. The family that lived there, had been gone for Christmas, so they didn't realize that it had been broken into until they got back. Another neighbor had been driving through the neighborhood on that day and had noticed a van parked in the driveway. Two men had been standing by the van.
The two men were eventually tracked down. They admitted to robbing the house on the 26th. They also said that they had nothing to do with Laci's disappearance. The police held a press conference saying that the two men had nothing to do with Laci's disappearance. There were reporters camped out that day in front of Laci and Scotts home. This casts a doubt on claims that the two robbers were there on the 26th instead of the 24th.
Scott alleged that Lacey got up around 7 a.m., got dressed and threw the pajama bottoms in the hamper. She then went down to have a bowl of cereal. Scott got up around 8 a.m. and he also had cereal and Lacy sat with him and had a piece of toast. He said that is when he took a shower as Laci talked about her plans for that day. She allegedly wanted to make a french toast bake for Christmas morning brunch. He said Laci was going to finish mopping, and then she was going to go for a walk the the dog and then to the grocery store for the ingredients for the french toast bake and after that she was going to make gingerbread cookies. Scott claimed that he last saw Laci mopping the floor as she watched Martha Stewart on tv.
Scott loaded three large patio umbrellas into the back of his truck. He wanted to bring them to his warehouse. A neighbor witnessed Scott doing this and waved at him. Scott waved back and wished her a good morning. Scott told the police he left around 9:30 a.m. on December 24 to go fishing by himself.
It was a nine minute drive from Scott and Laci's home to the warehouse. Phone records showed that Scott checked his voicemail at 10:08 a.m. and that he had received a message from his boss. When he arrived at the warehouse he logged onto his computer, checked his email and then sent an email to his boss. Scott also briefly used Google. After that, there is 20 minutes unaccounted for.
Before Scott left the warehouse, he pulled up the door and unloaded some tools from his truck and put them inside. Scott claimed that this is when he cut his finger. He decided that it was too cold to go golfing that day so he hitched up the boat to his truck and left to go fishing.
When he arrived back to the marina, he talked to some guys about fishing. Some maintenance men saw someone matching Scott's description trying to get his boat hooked back up to his truck.
Around 2:15 p.m. Scott called Laci's phone and left a message.
“Hey beautiful, I just left a message at home. Uh, it’s 2:15. I’m leaving Berkeley, I won’t be able to get to Vella Farms to get that basket for papa. I was hoping you would get this message and go on out there. I’ll see you in a bit sweetie. Love ya, bye.”
Scott stopped for gas at 3:25 p.m. at a Cheveron station in Livermore, which was 48 minutes from the warehouse. He then called Laci's phone again at 3:52 p.m.
Scott said he arrived back at his warehouse at 4:15 p.m. and put the boat back.
4 p.m.: Laci Peterson's stepfather, Ron Grantski, calls Laci but gets the answering machine and leaves a message.
Scott returned home around 4:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. and discovered that Laci wasn't home. He said her vehicle was still in the driveway and her purse, containing her keys and wallet, was on the table inside the house. Scott that he noticed the dog in the yar and let it in. He then dumped the mop bucket that was still in the kitchen. He then took a shower, did some laundry and had a bite to eat.
5:20 p.m.: Scott calls Sharon and asked if Laci was there. He says "Laci's missing." He told her that he came home from fishing and found the dog and her car there, but not Laci. Sharon tells him that his wife is not there. She says that she will call around and see if she can find Laci while he canvases the neighborhood with McKenzie.
At about 5:47 p.m., Laci, was reported missing by her parents.
OPERATOR: Hi, can I help you?
RON GRANTSKI: Yes. My son-in-law called. He'd been playing golf this morning. He left at 9:30. My daughter has been missing since this morning. She's eight months pregnant. She took her dog for a walk in the park. The dog came home with just the leash on.
OPERATOR: So the dog came back without your daughter?
GRANTSKI: Right.
OPERATOR: OK, what is your address there sir?
GRANTSKI: Well, I'm at (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: Is that where she is?
GRANTSKI: No, it's over at Maloma (ph) Park is where she went for the walk. What is Scott and Laci's address? I can't remember.
OPERATOR: What's your telephone number, sir, in case we get disconnected?
GRANTSKI: It's 404 -- Jesus, I can't believe (UNINTELLIGIBLE). (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: OK, so what's the address where she lives and she's missing from?
GRANTSKI: Her address is (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: Is that between (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and Edgebrook Drive?
GRANTSKI: Yes.
OPERATOR: OK. Is that a house or an apartment?
GRANTSKI: That's a house.
OPERATOR: What is your name?
GRANTSKI: My name is Ron. I'm her stepdad.
OPERATOR: OK, what is your name, your last name?
GRANTSKI: Grantski.
OPERATOR: G-R-A-N-S-K-Y?
GRANTSKI: G-R-A-N-T-S-K-I. Her husband is Scott Peterson is on his way over to the park to try to...
OPERATOR: What's your stepdaughter's name?
GRANTSKI: Scott Peterson.
OPERATOR: No, no, no, your stepdaughter.
GRANTSKI: Laci Peterson.
OPERATOR: Laci P-E-T-E-R-S-O-N, right?
GRANTSKI: P-E-T-E-R-S-O-N.
OPERATOR: And she's white, black, Hispanic, Asian?
GRANTSKI: She's Portuguese and white.
OPERATOR: How old is she?
GRANTSKI: She's 26.
OPERATOR: What time did she leave the house and didn't come back?
GRANTSKI: That we don't know. We just had a call from our son-in-law that he left this morning at 9:30 to play golf. He came back home about a half hour ago and she's nowhere around.
OPERATOR: OK, so she went to walk the dog where? What park?
GRANTSKI: Walked it in that park, Maloma Park. What's that park over there? What's it called?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
GRANTSKI: Yes, it's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) over there, you know, by the tennis courts. OK.
OPERATOR: That's (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
GRANTSKI: Yes, you got a flashlight. Absolutely.
OPERATOR: And she's eight months pregnant you said?
GRANTSKI: Pardon?
OPERATOR: You said she's eight months pregnant?
GRANTSKI: Yes, ma'am. Can you get a squad car for me over there? Is that possible?
OPERATOR: Is this over there at Dry Creek Park?
GRANTSKI: I'm sorry, go ahead.
OPERATOR: Is that over there at Dry Creek Park?
GRANTSKI: Yes, that's what it is.
OPERATOR: What was she last seen wearing?
GRANTSKI: I don't know. Scott would. I don't know. She's eight months pregnant. There can't be that many people. She's got short, black hair. She's about 5'1".
OPERATOR: Hold on. She's 5'1"?
GRANTSKI: Yes, dark eyes.
OPERATOR: Dark hair and eyes?
GRANTSKI: Yes.
OPERATOR: So the dog came home without the leash, right?
GRANTSKI: The dog came home on the leash without her.
OPERATOR: OK. You're going to -- so her husband is looking for her right now. Are you going to stay here at (INFORMATION WITHHELD)?
GRANTSKI: I'll stay here, yes, if I have to stay here.
OPERATOR: Because we're going to send an officer over there as soon as they're available, OK, where you're at right now.
GRANTSKI: OK, good.
OPERATOR: What's the phone number there, sir?
GRANTSKI: OK, my house number is (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: No, no, where you're at. Is that where you live at Mossey (ph) Way?
GRANTSKI: That's my house.
OPERATOR: OK.
GRANTSKI: That's my house.
OPERATOR: OK, what's your phone number?
GRANTSKI: (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: Yes.
GRANTSKI: (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: OK, and her husband's name was?
GRANTSKI: Scott.
OPERATOR: Scott Peterson. Do you know what he's wearing?
GRANTSKI: No. He just called me from the house. I have no idea. He's walking -- he's going over there looking for her. He's all shook.
OPERATOR: OK. What's her home phone number there?
GRANTSKI: Her house number?
OPERATOR: Yes.
GRANTSKI: It's (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: OK. We'll have someone out there as soon as they're available.
GRANTSKI: Let me give you the cell phone. He might have his cell phone with him.
OPERATOR: OK.
GRANTSKI: (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: Yes.
GRANTSKI: (INFORMATION WITHHELD).
OPERATOR: OK, we'll have someone out there as soon as they're available, Ron. Hello.
GRANTSKI: Yes.
OPERATOR: OK, we'll have someone out there as soon as they're available.
GRANTSKI: OK.
OPERATOR: OK?
GRANTSKI: OK.
OPERATOR: Thanks, bye-bye.
Scott's office where he worked was a storage shed. The police wanted to check the boat he had in there. Scott said there was no electricity. The police shined their headlights in the shed and took a couple of pictures. The police left and called MID and asked when the power was going to be back on. The said the MID power was never off.
The brought Scott in for an interview and asked him about his marriage with Laci. Scott says that they never fought and that their marriage was fine.
Dec. 25th, Local authorities launch a massive and futile search along Modesto's Dry Creek.
Dec. 26, Modesto police officers arrived with a search warrant at 7:45 p.m. at the Peterson's house in the La Loma neighborhood.
Authorities were forced to obtain a warrant when Scott would not voluntarily allow them to search the home.
Scott and Laci's cars were confiscated as well Scott's boat.
Dogs were brought in and they followed Laci's scent, but stopped in the middle of the street. This suggested that Laci did not leave on foot, rather she was taken in a vehicle.
The police also held a press conference were they showed pictures of Scott's truck asking people to contact them if they had seen it in and around the marina.
Also that day, after no hearing from Scott for a few days, Amber called his house to leave a voicemail. She was surprised when he answered because he had told her previously that he would be in Paris. After Amber hung up, she called one of her police friends to look into Scott.
Authorities were forced to obtain a warrant when Scott would not voluntarily allow them to search the home.
Scott and Laci's cars were confiscated as well Scott's boat.
Dogs were brought in and they followed Laci's scent, but stopped in the middle of the street. This suggested that Laci did not leave on foot, rather she was taken in a vehicle.
The police also held a press conference were they showed pictures of Scott's truck asking people to contact them if they had seen it in and around the marina.
Also that day, after no hearing from Scott for a few days, Amber called his house to leave a voicemail. She was surprised when he answered because he had told her previously that he would be in Paris. After Amber hung up, she called one of her police friends to look into Scott.
Dec. 27, the F.B.I. get involved.
On December 29th, Amber's police friend called her back and told her to call the Modesto Police Department.
On December 30th, Amber Frey contacted the Modest Police Department. Investigators went out there immediately and talked with Amber. She told them about her affair with Scott. She said that she had been involved with him for over a month and he never once told her about Laci. Investigators asked Amber if she'd start recording her phone conversations with Scott and she agreed.
Dec. 31, Modesto police shift their focus in case to foul play. Also a vigil was held that night. Later it is found out that Scott was talking to his girlfriend on the phone at the vigil. He told his girlfriend that he was in Paris at a party.
On January 5th, 2003, Scott drove 170 miles out to Berkeley Marina in a rental car. He walked out onto the peer and stared for around 5 minutes before driving back and going home. Scott did this the next day as well, except this time, he drove very erratically. Perhaps he was aware of the police surveillance? In any case, Scott lost the police in the crowd of traffic while leaving the marina.
Also, later on the night of January 6th, Scott called Amber and confessed that he was married and that Laci disappeared on Christmas eve. He also told her that before Laci went missing, she knew about the affair and she was fine with it.
Jan. 9, 2003 A sonar search of water at the Berkeley Marina turns up a submerged object that may indicate a human body. But police say inclement weather and fatigue among the divers is preventing
them from retrieving the object or investigating it any further until the weekend.
Also that day, Scott once again drove to the Marina, stared out into the water and left. This time he didn't go back home and instead stayed at a hotel.
On January 12th, Scott went to watch Ann's son being christened. Then he went home and had his cable upgraded to include two hardcore porn channels. He also called Amber that night.
Jan.11, a search in the Berkley Marina turned up an old anchor and no clues as to what happened to Laci.
Jan 16, 2003 Modesto police tell Laci Peterson's family Scott was having an affair. They also inform the family that Scott had taken out a $250,000 life insurance policy on her, according to one of
Laci's family members. Laci's family severs ties with Scott.
Jan. 18, Authorities investigate Scott's whereabouts in connection with the disappearance Kristin Smart of a San Luis Obispo in 1996, when Scott and Laci Peterson lived there. Authorities later determine he had nothing to do with the second missing woman.
Jan. 24, 2003, The police had a press conference, during which Amber Frey, a massage therapist from Fresno, comes forward and confirms she had an intimate romantic relationship with Scott Peterson.
By now, Scott was staying with Ann. Ann, her husband, Tom, and Scot were having wine after finishing dinner. Scott seemed that he was having fun and wouldn't talk about Laci.
While staying with his sister, Scott seemed obsessed with the water where police were searching for Laci's body. The room that he was staying in over looked the bay and it was said that Scott would become angry and would yell and pace around.
Scott would also hit on the young babysitter that would come to the house and watch Ann's baby.
On January 29th, Scott sold Laci's car. And that is not the only thing that Scott was trying to sell. Sometime in this month, he put his home up for sale as well.
On February 10th was Connor's date to be born.. Also on that day was Amber's birthday. Scott gave her an amber necklace, a Nora Jones CD and a bunch of wild flowers.
On February 18th, Scott's residence is searched again. They impound his new truck.
On March 6th, the police declared Laci Peterson's case a homicide.
On April 12th, Scott bought a red Mercedes.
On April 13th, a couple was out walking their dog with they found a late term male fetus lying in a marshy area of San Francisco Bay shore. The baby was found with plastic tape around neck and major gash on his torso. Later it turns out to be Conner.
The next day, the body of a woman wearing beige maternity pants and a maternity bra was found washed a shore, one mile from where the baby's body was found. This turned out to be Laci. Laci was missing her head, forearms and one of her feet. She had two cracked ribs and all of her internet organs were missing, except for her uterus. There was also marine life living in her torso.
The next day, the body of a woman wearing beige maternity pants and a maternity bra was found washed a shore, one mile from where the baby's body was found. This turned out to be Laci. Laci was missing her head, forearms and one of her feet. She had two cracked ribs and all of her internet organs were missing, except for her uterus. There was also marine life living in her torso.
April 18, Police in San Diego arrest Scott Peterson, who is found carrying a large amount of cash and his brother's passport, along with 200 Viagra pills, 200 sleeping pills, camping gear, a Map Quest printout of where Amber lived and four cellphones. He had dyed his hair red. He had been driving 80 miles an hour, weaving in and out of traffic, only an hour away for Tijuana, Mexico. So the police decided to pull him over.
On the way to jail the call came in over the police radio in the car about the bodies that had been recovered being confirmed to be that of Laci and Connor. Scott sniffles and the cops ask him if he would like something to eat. Scott casually told the officers that he wanted a Double Double with Cheese, a small fry and a vanilla shake from In And Out Burger.
On April 21st, Scott was arraigned and charged with two counts on premeditated murder with special circumstances. Which means that if he is found guilty he would get the death penalty.
On June 10th, a gag order was placed forbidding the trial's participants to talk about the case.
Aug. 22, sources tell Fox News that Scott Peterson had admitted, then denied, involvement in his wife's disappearance in a wiretapped telephone conversation with his then-girlfriend Frey.
Sept. 21, A jailed inmate told investigators Scott Peterson had met with him in Fresno in Nov. 2002 to discuss possibly kidnapping his wife Laci. Peterson's family says Scott and Laci Peterson were in San Diego at the time.
On August 29th, Laci Peterson and Connor are buried in a private ceremony.
On September 26th, Laci's family filed a civil lawsuit against Scott, which would make it so he could never profit from Laci or Connor's deaths.
Oct. 15, Sources say that telephone logs show that Scott called his girlfriend, hundreds of times after his wife's disappearance.
On October 29th, An FBI expert testifies that mitochondrial DNA tests had loosely linked a strand of hair found embedded in a pair of needle-nosed pliers on Scott Peterson's boat to Laci.
It is also mentioned that the necklace and ring that Laci never went anywhere without was left on her dresser. And the maternity pants that was found on Laci's body was the same that her sister said she was wearing on December 23rd. So it was theorized that Laci was killed on the 23rd.
Cadaver dogs were also Scott had been fishing on the 24th, and the dogs picked up her scent at the marina. Investigators also found a white like substance on the end of Scott's boat trailer. They also found a dust pan and a sledge hammer that was covered in the same substance.
On December 3rd, Scott plead not guilty.
On May 27th, 2004, the jury was finalized.
Oct. 29, An FBI expert testifies that mitochondrial DNA tests had loosely linked a strand of hair found embedded in a pair of needle-nosed pliers on Scott Peterson's boat to Laci.
Oct. 31 Laci sister testifies that Scott had told her he planned to play golf, not go fishing, on Dec. 24. A neighbor also reportedly claimed that the night Laci went missing, Scott said he'd been golfing.
Nov. 6, A police detective says in his testimony, that Scott told his girlfriend he was a recent widower on Dec. 9, 2002, two weeks before his wife disappeared, and that Peterson had a handgun in his truck when police responded to his missing-person report.
Nov. 13, Detective Philip Owen testifies Laci's body was found in tan pants. Her sister testifies she had been wearing Dec. 23. Scott had said she was wearing black pants the next morning. Detective Brocchini testifies Scott drove to the Berkeley Marina three times in early January and looked out over the water, twice on days police were searching the bay.
On November 12, 2004, Scott Peterson was convicted of first degree murder for Laci's death and second degree murder for the baby Conner's death.
Scott's boat was a fresh water boat. Where he took the boat on the day Lacy disappeared was salt water. His wife had no idea he had the boat. He made home made anchors. When the police went and searched the boat, the tarp that covered it was covered in gasoline. It is speculated that he attached them to the body.
When the police were searching the marina, Scott would watch the police.
Scott's sister believes he had something to do with Lacy and the baby's murder.
The death of Laci and Conner Peterson led to the passage of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which is also known as Laci and Conner's Law. On April 1, 2004, Sharon Rocha and her husband Ron Grantski were in attendance at the White House when President George W. Bush signed the bill into law. The Act provides that, under federal law, any person who causes death or injury to an unborn child while in the commission of a crime upon a pregnant woman will be charged with a separate offense.
Laci's stepfather, Ron Grantski, died in his sleep at his Modesto home on April 8, 2018, at age 71, after a lengthy period of failing health. He was buried next to Laci and Conner. Laci's father, Dennis Rocha, died December 9, 2018, at the age of 72.
