Saturday marks 20 years to the day that expectant mother Laci Peterson disappeared from the California home she shared with her husband, Scott. What started as a case of a missing woman soon spiraled into an investigation that rocked the nation as two families pursued their versions of justice.
After years of heavy media and law enforcement scrutiny, followed by months of a tumultuous trial, a jury found Scott Peterson killed Laci and their unborn son, Conner.
Just Tuesday, a judge closed a chapter when she ruled Peterson would not be granted a new trial despite allegations a juror in his original trial was biased and untruthful.
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A missing person’s poster offering a $500,000 reward for the safe return of Laci Peterson is displayed on a tree at the East La Loma Park Jan. 4, 2003, in Modesto, Calif.
(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Two decades since her disappearance and death, Peterson has maintained his innocence despite his conviction years earlier. He remains in the custody of the California state prison system.
Despite a consistent flow of headlines related to Laci’s and Conner’s murders, much of recent news has been focused on Scott. Today, Laci Peterson would have been 47, and Conner would be 19.
Here’s a look at Laci Peterson’s life, her death and her family’s seemingly unending pursuit for justice.
HER LIFE
A missing person poster shows Laci Peterson, who has not been seen since Dec. 24, 2002.
(Getty Images)
Laci Denise Peterson, 27, was eight months pregnant on Dec. 24, 2002, when her husband, 31-year-old Scott, reported her missing from their Modesto, California, home. Known for her dimples and big smile, Laci and Scott had already named their son Conner.
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Peterson, born Laci Denise Rocha, met Scott in San Luis Obispo, and the pair married in 1997….
