15 years since Scott Peterson murder case shocked the world
It’s been 15 years since the world watched on in hope of finding missing 27-year-old Laci Peterson, who was eight months pregnant at the time.
The California case ended with Laci’s husband Scott Peterson eventually standing trial for her murder, and the murder of their unborn son.
On Christmas Eve 2002, Laci’s family were searching for her after her husband Scott claimed that she was missing. Days turned into weeks and then months, with no sign of Laci anywhere.
Scott had become a suspect and his erratic behaviour left the public wondering about his motives, especially his reluctance to speak to the press.
It was only after Scott’s affair with a massage therapist was revealed that the story started coming together. The woman, Amber Frey, became a key part of the investigation when she agreed to wear a wire and record their conversations.
Despite claiming that he had gone on a solo fishing trip, it was later claimed that Scott murdered Laci and took her body out on a boat in the San Francisco bay to dispose of her.
It wasn’t until April 2003 that the body of a baby boy, and soon after a woman’s body were found washed up on the shore of San Francisco bay. DNA testing quickly proved that it was Laci and her baby, who they had named Conner.
Scott was arrested and found to be in possession of items in his car that led police to believe he was going to run. These included duct tape, a knife, ropes, a water purifier and a large sum of money.
By the end of 2004, Scott had been charged with first degree murder for killing Laci, and second degree murder for killing his unborn son. He received the death penalty in 2005, and is currently imprisoned at California’s San Quentin State Prison where he is requesting a retrial.
Do you remember when this murder case was in the news 15 years ago?