Scott Peterson murder case: A detailed timeline of key events

The murder case of Laci Peterson involving her husband Scott Peterson has been the subject of numerous documentaries and each unveiled new aspects of the tragedy. Peacock's latest series titled Face to Face with Scott Peterson premiering on August 20, 2024, will perceive a fresh take on Peterson himself.

The case has already been documented in Netflix's American Murder: Laci Peterson which aired on August 14, 2024, that showed a balanced exploration of the events that led to Scott's conviction.

As of now, Scott Peterson is in Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California where he is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. His legal journey continues as he maintains his innocence and seeks a new trial. Recent developments include the involvement of the Los Angeles Innocence Project which has taken up his case in hopes of overturning his conviction.

Despite numerous appeals and the retesting of crucial evidence such as a piece of duct tape found on Laci’s body, all efforts to secure a retrial have so far been unsuccessful. Peterson, now 51, has participated in the Peacock documentary to state his case from behind bars.

---

How did Scott Peterson murder Laci Peterson?

A picture of a lying gun (Image sourced from Unsplash)

December 23, 2002: The last known contact between Laci and her family occurred on this date. Laci spoke with her mother Sharon Rocha around 8:30 p.m. and it was a day before she was reported missing.

December 24, 2002: Laci Peterson was reported missing from her home in Modesto, California. On the same day, her husband Scott Peterson told police that he left for a fishing trip at Berkeley Marina which was evidenced by a parking receipt found in his possession. A neighbor reported finding the Petersons' dog wandering the neighborhood with a leash indicating Laci might have been interrupted during a walk.

Late December 2002: Scott left a voicemail for Laci at 2:15 p.m., expressing love and stating he would see her soon, which investigators later suspected to be an attempt to establish an alibi. The detail became a critical point in the timeline because it showed Scott's possible foreknowledge of events that would transpire.

January 28, 2003: Scott Peterson's interview with Diane Sawyer was broadcast where he made contradictory statements regarding his affair with Amber Frey and Laci's knowledge of it. His demeanor and inconsistencies during the interview increased public and investigative scrutiny.

April 13-18, 2003: The decomposed bodies of a woman and a fetus were found on the shores of San Francisco Bay near where Scott claimed he went fishing. Identification and autopsy confirmed that they were Laci and her unborn son, Conner. Scott was arrested on April 18, before a golf trip, with dyed hair and significant cash, suggesting potential flight risk.

2004 - 2005: The trial of Scott Peterson unfolded with extensive media coverage. He was convicted on November 12, 2004, of first-degree murder for Laci and second-degree murder for Conner and was subsequently sentenced to death in March 2005. This sentence was later commuted to life without parole due to jury selection issues.

2020 - 2024: The California Supreme Court overturned Scott's death sentence, citing issues with how jurors were dismissed for their views on the death penalty. His legal team pushed for a retrial and advocated for new DNA tests on existing evidence. In 2024 the Los Angeles Innocence Project takes on Scott’s defense that aimed to introduce new findings that could potentially overturn his conviction.

---

Face to Face with Scott Peterson premieres on Peacock on August 20, 2024.