American Murder on Netflix: Where is Laci Peterson’s mother Sharon Rocha now?

Netflix's American Murder: Laci Peterson touches up on the unfortunate disappearance and eventual murder of Laci Peterson and her baby boy, Conner, who wasn't even born, in 2002. Laci's mother, Sharon Rocha, was devastated by the loss.

This series documents not only Laci Peterson's murder but also Sharon's experiences as she moves through her grief and works hard to get justice. The documentary explains how Sharon would never be the same after Laci had reportedly gone missing on December 24, 2002.

Sharon was among the first to learn about Laci's status from the latter's then-husband, Scott Peterson, who was later convicted of the murders. While Sharon had initially defended Scott, the evidence burgeoned against him.

As of 2024, Sharon lives in Modesto, California. Her will and determination to prove the case and bring out the truth about Laci and Conner had been enshrined throughout life after the tragedy.

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Sharon Rocha's early life and family background

Sharon Rocha was born to Clifton Howell Anderson and Elta Anderson and had a close-knit family. While Sharon Rocha was in high school, she met Dennis Rocha, and the two married soon after.

The couple had two children - Brent, who was born on December 11, 1971, and Laci, who was born on May 4, 1975. Sharon Rocha and Dennis Rocha's marriage was later dissolved, ending in a divorce in the year 1976. However, Sharon remained friends with her former husband.

Sharon then married Ron Grantski, who began helping Sharon take care of her children. The newlyweds formed a strong family in Modesto, California, where Sharon began living and working as a Loan Officer at Ability Ambeck Mortgage. Everything was fine in her life until the events of December 2002 took an unexpected and dramatic turn in her future.

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The tragedy of Laci Peterson's disappearance

Sharon Rocha's peaceful life was shattered on December 24, 2002, with the disappearance of Laci Peterson. Sharon had, at first, stood beside her son-in-law, Scott Peterson—who reported that Laci had gone missing—but little by little, as her doubts in his innocence grew, she had made her part of the investigation.

Sharon's role back then had been very active in the search for Laci Peterson. She had engaged in the search for her daughter and after that had been shattered by the finding of the bodies of Laci and Conner.

As more and more evidence came in, most especially Scott's extramarital affair, Sharon painfully learned that Scott was responsible for her daughter's death. This added fuel to her desire to have him brought to justice.

Her dogged advocacy for the truth proved to have played a crucial role in the investigation and subsequent conviction of Scott Peterson for the murders of Laci Peterson and Conner.

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Advocacy and legal efforts after Laci Peterson's death

After the tragedy, Sharon Rocha became a public crusader for the rights of the victims. She was integral in the passage of Laci and Conner's Law, or what was referred to as the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. The act criminalizes any form of violence towards an unborn child during an attack on the mother.

Sharon went the extra mile to assist families entangled in such tragic events, as happened to her family. In addition to this legal activism, Sharon sought to ensure other aspects of Laci's memory were preserved.

Among these actions was the establishment of the Laci and Conner Search and Rescue Fund, through which law enforcers receive financial backing for time and work devoted to search and rescue operations. Sharon also released her tale in a 2006 book, For Laci: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss, and Justice, with the idea of offering a memoir of living through loss and battling for justice.