The Murder of Laci & Connor Peterson

Do you think Scott Peterson murdered his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son? We all certainly have an opinion but I feel that his guilt is quite apparent.

On Dec. 24, 2002, Scott and Laci Peterson enjoyed breakfast together and watched a few minutes of TV before he headed out for a fishing trip while Laci took their dog for a walk. Eight months pregnant with her first son, a baby she planned to name Connor, Laci went missing that Christmas Eve, never to be seen alive again.

The Peterson’s neighbor found their dog, his leash attached, wandering in front of their home. Scott told police that he drove to his warehouse, retrieving boats he would bring to Berkeley Marina. Timestamps from the marina confirmed this account of events.

Scott said he assumed Laci went to visit her mother, but when he called, she was not there. About 30-minutes after Scott called, Laci’s stepdad called 911 to report her missing.

Police suspected Scott in Laci’s disappearance, noting his odd behavior. Police said he seemed more concerned about his car door hitting another driveway and pictures of his boat in his shop than his missing wife.

Scott Peterson’s Many Extramarital Affairs

Soon, police learned that Scott was having an affair with Amber Frey, a single mom introduced to Scott by a friend. The two began a romantic relationship soon after their Nov. 2002 meeting.

Frey came forward admitting to the affair on national TV, changing the course of the investigation entirely. Peterson said Laci knew about his affair and was perfectly fine with the relationship. Frey, on the other hand, knew nothing of Laci or Connor.

Laci lived only one month after Scott began his affair with Amber Frey, though she was one of many women who he dated on the side while a married man.

Laci & Connor Corpses’ Found

On April 13, four months after Laci and Connor disappeared, a couple found a decomposing late-term male fetus with its umbilical cord still attached. An Associated Press (AP) journalist reported that Connor had a 1.5-ft. Nylon tape wrapped around his neck and a cut on his body.

On April 14, a woman found the body of a recently pregnant woman washed ashore in the bay. The decomposed corpse was nearly unrecognizable. She had been decapitated and her limbs were missing. An autopsy later confirmed that all of her internal lower organs, with the exception of the fetus, had been removed from her body, explaining the rapid deterioration of the corpse.

DNA later confirmed the bodies belonged to Laci and Connor. Police took Scott into custody on April 18 at the airport. He carried his brother's passport and a wad of money. Scott looked very different with his once brown-colored hair now an unusual shade of blonde.

Scott Peterson Sentenced to Death

Despite little evidence tying Scott to the murders, prosecutors had enough circumstantial evidence to convict him for the murders of Laci and Connor. A single hair was the only piece of forensic evidence presented at Scott’s trial. Other evidence used to convict Scott included:

• Changed hair color/ appearance
• Purchased vehicle in his mother's name
• Added two porno channels to the family TV two days after Laci went missing
• Traded in her Land Rover for a truck

On Nov. 12, 2004, Scott Peterson was convicted of first-degree murder in Laci’s death and second-degree murder in Connor’s death. Judge Alfred A. Delucchi sentenced Scott to death. He was sent to San Quentin State Prison. In 2020, California Gov. Newsome committed Scott’s death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.