Disclaimer: The article contains mentions of abuse and murder. Readers’ discretion is advised.
In 2004, Scott Peterson, the husband of Laci Peterson was convicted of the first-degree murder of Laci and the second-degree murder of her unborn child. Scott Peterson was 31 and a fertilizer salesman living in Modesto, California. Laci was 8 months pregnant and 27 years old at the time of her disappearance. Scott Peterson reported her missing on December 24, 2002, after he last saw her take their dog out for a walk.
According to Fox News, Laci Peterson’s sister told the police that Scott wished to spend the day of the disappearance golfing and not fishing, which was inconsistent with what Scott told authorities. When Laci and her son’s remains were found, Scott attempted to flee with $100,000 in cash and his brother’s passport. He also dyed his hair and grew a goatee, making suspicions stronger.
Prosecutors argued that Scott Peterson was having an affair with Amber Frey, from about a month before Laci’s disappearance. Frey testified against him in court where Scott pleaded not guilty. Soon after Laci Peterson’s disappearance, Scott was looking to sell their house in Modesto. He had already sold Laci’s car and converted their baby’s room into a storage space. Scott was charged with Laci and her unborn child’s murder. He was accused of dumping their bodies from his fishing boat.
The trial ended with Scott Peterson‘s conviction and the court sentencing him to death. However, in 2020, the California Supreme Court overturned the death sentence owing to an improper dismissal of prospective jury members at the time of the trial. Scott is currently 50 and is serving a life sentence at the Mule Creek State Prison in California.
What did Laci Peterson’s autopsy reveal?
In April 2003, Laci Peterson’s body along with the remains of her unborn child, were found by the San Fransisco Bay. ABC News reported that Laci Peterson’s head was missing along with some parts of her limbs. The immediate report also failed to determine the cause of death and did not confirm any human-made wounds. This lack of evidence may be owed to the decomposition of the body over the four months after her disappearance. The remains were barely identifiable as human remains.
Laci Peterson’s case saw new forensic complications when the remains of her unborn child were also found at the location. According to CBS News, a forensic pathologist testified in court, that Laci likely gave birth after her death. Her uterus reportedly did not return to its normal size like it does after childbirth.
The baby was found with plastic tape wrapped around the neck and the skin of the child wasn’t very decomposed. The placenta and umbilical cord were not found. The birth was found to be natural and there was no sign of a possible C-section. The condition of Laci Peterson’s remains could also be a result of fish eating the flesh away and the strong currents of San Fransisco Bay.
It was explained that the head and chest were missing, making it difficult to retrieve information from the condition of the brain and lungs. During the trial, prosecutors argued that the fetus was expelled from Laci Peterson’s corpse. The defense argued that the fetus was born before Laci died, making it unlikely that Scott Peterson was the murderer.
The Murder of Laci Peterson is a 2017 documentary series that is streaming on Hulu. It follows the case of Laci’s disappearance and death. It includes accounts of those who were closely related to the victims.
