Murder of Laci Peterson
Modesto · California · United States · 2002
Content note
- The public record for this case describes violence in specific detail.
Laci Peterson, 27 and eight months pregnant, disappeared from Modesto on Dec. 24, 2002. Scott Lee Peterson was convicted in 2004 of murdering Laci and their unborn son Conner; his death sentence was reversed in 2020 and he was resentenced to LWOP in 2021.
No upcoming court date is currently confirmed.
At a glance
Scott Lee Peterson — Convicted, 2004
Serving life without parole since December 2021; appeal over a juror pending in the state supreme court; post-conviction challenge denied in April 2026.
Death sentence reversed 2020' resentenced Dec. 8, 2021.
First-degree murder (Laci); second-degree murder (Conner); multiple-murder special circumstance true.
Cal. Supreme Ct., California; Cal. Supreme Ct.
Supreme Court of California; California Supreme Court
A summary, written from the sourced timeline below — not a citation of its own.
Court listings
Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo · SC055500A
California Supreme Court
Supreme Court of California · S132449
Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus · 1056770
Supreme Court of California · S230782
Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo · SC055500A HC-3201
California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District · A167615
Timeline· 14 entries
A dated record of reported developments and proceedings.
Entries linked to a court, prosecutor, police, or government source.
2002
Dec 24 2002
Disappearance, investigation event
Laci Peterson goes missing from her home in Modesto
News reportpwc-sii.comDec 24 2002
2003
Apr 13 2003
Apr 18 2003
2004
Jan 20 2004
Update, investigation event
Venue changed from Stanislaus County to San Mateo County
News reportLos Angeles TimesJun 1 2004
Nov 12 2004
Verdict, court event
News reportSFGATEDec 13 2004
Verdict, court event
News reportLos Angeles Times
2005
Mar 16 2005
2020
Aug 24 2020
Appeal, court event
Court documentCalifornia Courts
2021
Dec 8 2021
Sentencing, court event
Resentenced to life without possibility of parole after death judgment reversed
News reportCNN
2022
Aug 11 2022
Hearing, court event
Scott Peterson appears in San Mateo County Superior Court
News reportCourthouse NewsDec 20 2022
Update, investigation event
San Mateo court denies Juror No. 7 habeas claim (Massullo order)
News reporthtv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com
2026
Apr 27 2026
Update, investigation event
San Mateo Superior Court denies third habeas corpus petition
Agency releaseStanislaus County District Attorney
Coverage· 6 works
Podcasts, documentaries, books, magazines, and reporting about this case.
This text serves as a broad narrative overview that examines the timeline of the disappearance, the unfolding police investigation, and the societal impact of a case that riveted the American public.Argues the conviction was correct and supports the prosecution's findings regarding Scott Peterson's guilt.More
Argues the conviction was correct and supports the prosecution's findings regarding Scott Peterson's guilt.
Provides a direct, participant-based account supporting the prosecution’s case and the evidence of Peterson's deception.
Reflects the jury's consensus that the prosecution's evidence was sufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Authored by Laci Peterson's mother, this memoir functions as a primary source offering contextual background on the victim and a firsthand, chronological account of the family's involvement in the investigation and trial.Strongly pro-prosecution (Victim's Family Perspective)More
Argues the conviction was flawed and that the defendant should not be on death row.
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