Laci Peterson Case Potentially Re-Opened: New Requests For DNA Testing

Twenty-two years ago, one of the most harrowing disappearance cases in modern history hit the airwaves. Laci Peterson, a 27-year-old mother-to-be, was reported missing by her stepfather, Ron Grantski, and her husband, Scott Peterson. It was Christmas Eve, and Laci was eight and a half months pregnant with their first child, a son. Scott had called Sharon, Laci's mother, to see if Laci had gone to their home since they were scheduled to have Christmas dinner that evening. He reported that she had been out walking their dog, and a neighbor found the dog the next morning walking outside the Peterson home, trailing its leash. So, he started making calls to her friends and family to see if anyone had seen her or heard from her. Police mobilized quickly, and Scott allowed them into the home to collect evidence and take photos. He also allowed authorities to search both his and Laci's vehicles.

The day before, December 23rd, Scott and Laci had gone to visit Laci's sister at the salon where she worked, which was around 5:45pm, and Laci's mother spoke to her on the phone around 8:30pm. After that time, the last person to see or hear from Laci was her husband. Scott claims that he left his home on Christmas Eve morning to go fishing around 9:30am and that is the last time that he saw his wife. The bodies of Laci and her baby were discovered on April 13th and 14th of 2003. The baby's body was found first on the shoreline of San Francisco Bay by a couple out walking their dog. It was said to be badly mutilated. The following day, Laci's badly decomposing body was found. She was found only a few miles from the Berkley Marina, which is where Scott had told authorities he had been fishing on Christmas Eve, and only a mile from the body of their child. Her body had been decapitated and was missing limbs.

The rest is history, this article would be entirely too long if we laid out the entire case for you, dear readers. What is interesting, however, is that the Los Angeles Innocence Project (which is a nonprofit organization that is entirely independent from The Innocence Project) has filed new motions in this case. On April 18, 2023, Scott Peterson was arrested in La Jolla for the murder of his wife and unborn child. He had dyed his hair blonde, and $15,000 was found in his car along with four cell phones, camping gear and clothing, and two driver's licenses, one of which was his brother's. La Jolla is near the Mexican border, which prompted authorities to claim Peterson was attempting to flee the country. The car was a Mercedes he had bought in his mother's name, Jacqueline Peterson, for just under $4,000 cash. Scott had also purchased a boat on December 9th, prior to his wife's disappearance.

Scott was charged and convicted of the first-degree murder of his wife, and second-degree murder of his unborn son. He has been in prison ever since. Reactions on X have been mixed.

• More at: Twitchy - Laci Peterson Case Potentially RE-OPENED: New Requests for DNA Testing
https://twitchy.com/laura-w/2024/01/19/scott-peterson-innocence-project-n2391948