Who ended up with the house and the couple's personal belongings?
I think the Petrsons got the personal belongings. I think they had mortgaged the house to the hilt to pay for Scooter's legal fees.
I know it's been sold, but I don't know who got the money.
Peterson house a quick sale
Buyers bid more than asking price for couple's Covena Avenue home
May 22, 2005
The Modesto home where Scott Peterson likely killed his pregnant wife
is being sold for more than the asking price of $379,996, Realtor
Mary Prieto said Thursday, nine days after it went on the market.
Prieto declined to name the amount, the buyers, their hometown or whether they
intend to live in the three-bedroom, two-bath "cottage-bungalow" at 523 Covena Ave.
Much of that information will become public when the sale is recorded after
the purchase is final. Prieto declined to disclose when that might happen.
The buyers "loved the neighborhood," Prieto said. "They
were very pleased with the charm the house has to offer."
Its garage was converted into a living room and Scott and Laci Peterson did more
remodeling and installed a below-ground swimming pool. They bought the home
in October 2000 for $177,000 — less than half the price it fetched Thursday.
Prieto represents Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson's mother and executor of her estate;
as well as Scott Peterson's parents, Lee and Jackie. Both sides agreed
to the offer Thursday, said Prieto, an agent with Prudential California.
Authorities say Scott Peterson smothered or strangled his eight-months-
pregnant wife in the La Loma neighborhood home on or just before
Christmas Eve 2002. He was sentenced to death nearly two years later.
His property rights evaporated with the conviction, but his
parents might have a claim because they loaned him money to
help fund his defense, and the loan was secured by the house.
Rocha's attorney has said the parties haven't agreed how to divide sale proceeds.
Prieto said the buyers are well aware that the house might
have been the scene of Modesto's most notorious murders. They
were "very, very pleased upon viewing the home," Prieto said.
Prudential never put a for-sale sign in the yard, relying instead
on ample publicity. Looky-loos hoping to tour the property were
screened out, said Prieto, who refused similar requests from reporters.
Prieto said she will continue accepting back-up offers until escrow closes.