Disappearance and recovery
Laci Peterson, 27, disappeared from the couple's Modesto home on December 24, 2002. She was eight months pregnant and she and Scott Peterson had named their unborn son Conner. Scott told investigators he had gone fishing that day in San Francisco Bay.
In April 2003, the remains of Conner and Laci were found separately along the eastern shoreline of San Francisco Bay, near the area where Scott said he had been fishing. DNA testing identified the adult remains as Laci and established the fetal remains as her unborn child.
Arrest, trial and verdict
Scott Peterson was arrested in April 2003 and later tried in San Mateo County after the case was moved because of extensive publicity. Prosecutors relied on a circumstantial case that included Peterson's conduct before and after Laci disappeared, his affair with Amber Frey, his statements to investigators and the recovery location of the remains.
In November 2004, the jury convicted Peterson of first-degree murder for killing Laci and second-degree murder for killing Conner. The jury also found a multiple-murder special circumstance true. He was sentenced to death in 2005.
The California Supreme Court reverses only the death sentence
On August 24, 2020, the California Supreme Court issued its opinion in People v. Peterson. The court affirmed the guilt judgment but reversed the death sentence because of significant errors in how prospective jurors with views about capital punishment were excluded during jury selection.
The distinction matters: the Supreme Court did not overturn the murder convictions. Its ruling left the findings of guilt intact and required a new sentencing outcome.
Life without parole
After prosecutors declined to seek a new death penalty proceeding, Peterson was resentenced in December 2021 to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Subsequent litigation alleging juror misconduct did not produce a new trial.
DNA requests and renewed innocence litigation
In 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project began representing Peterson in additional post-conviction litigation. The group is separate from the New York-based Innocence Project. It sought DNA testing and other discovery tied to a defense theory that Laci may have encountered a nearby burglary.
A San Mateo County judge allowed new testing on one piece of duct tape recovered with Laci's clothing but denied testing on most of the additional items requested. Prosecutors have argued that the burglary theory and much of the evidence had already been examined in earlier proceedings.
In 2025 and 2026, Peterson continued to pursue new-trial and habeas claims. In April 2026, a San Mateo County judge rejected a large habeas petition, finding the claims procedurally barred, meritless, or both, and concluding that the filing did not adequately establish an exception based on actual innocence or a fundamental miscarriage of justice.
What remains legally established
Scott Peterson continues to deny killing Laci and Conner, and his lawyers have continued to pursue post-conviction remedies. Those efforts are accurately described as legal challenges to a standing conviction—not as an exoneration, acquittal or new finding of innocence.
As of this file's 2026 review, the conviction for first-degree murder of Laci and second-degree murder of Conner remains in force, and Peterson is serving life without parole.
Timeline
December 24, 2002: Laci Peterson disappears from Modesto while eight months pregnant.
April 2003: the remains of Conner and Laci are recovered near San Francisco Bay; Scott Peterson is arrested days later.
November 2004: a jury convicts Scott Peterson of first-degree murder of Laci and second-degree murder of Conner.
2005: Peterson is sentenced to death.
August 24, 2020: the California Supreme Court affirms the convictions but reverses the death sentence.
December 2021: Peterson is resentenced to life without parole.
2024: a judge permits limited additional DNA testing while denying most of the requested testing.
2025: most claims in another appellate filing are rejected while additional litigation remains available.
April 2026: a judge denies a large habeas petition seeking relief from the conviction.
Current status
The case is solved / adjudicated. Scott Peterson remains convicted of murdering Laci Peterson and Conner and is serving life without parole. Post-conviction litigation has continued, but the convictions had not been vacated as of the 2026 review for this page.