Early in the afternoon of 4-18-2003, the Department of Justice Crime Lab positively identified the female body that was found on Monday in the East Bay as that of Laci Peterson. They also identified the baby boy found in Richmond on Sunday as being the child of Laci and Scott Peterson. At 11:10 a.m. today, detectives from the Modesto Police Department Crimes Against Persons unit arrested Scott Peterson in San Diego for the homicide of Laci Peterson and their unborn son.
Modesto Police Chief Roy Wasden, along with Sheriff Warren E. Rupf of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, Chief Joseph Samuels of the Richmond Police Department and Chief Norm Lapera of the East Bay Regional Park Police, held a press conference at the Modesto Police Department announcing the results of the crime lab tests and the arrest of Scott Peterson.
Sheriff Rupf officially announced that the female body was positively identified as Laci Rocha Peterson and the male baby was identified identified as being Laci's unborn baby. The body of Laci was found in the East Bay Regional Park Police Department's jurisdiction and the body of the baby was found in the jurisdiction of the Richmond Police Department.
Late this morning, Scott Peterson was arrested at the intersection of Callas and Torrey Pines Road in San Diego. The arrest was made by Department of Justice Special Agent Supervisor Ernie Limon, Special Agent Peter Shear and CHP Officer Claude Jubran, without incident. He was immediately turned over to Modesto Police Homicide Detectives. Scott Peterson is being transported back to Modesto to be booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center.
The family of Laci Peterson was notified late this afternoon that the bodies were confirmed to be that of Laci and her unborn son. They were also notified of Scott Peterson's arrest. Modesto Police also notified Scott Peterson's parents.
Chief Wasden publicly thanked the numerous agencies involved in the almost four month long investigation. "During the sixteen weeks of looking for Laci Peterson, we have received tremendous support from law enforcement agencies throughout California and throughout the Nation. The Modesto Police Department Homicide team worked incredibly hard, investigating every possible lead ensuring a complete investigation was conducted that would lead to a successful prosecution."
Scott Peterson was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on two counts of murder. Modesto Police will continue the investigation and present it to the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office for filing.
Earlier this week, the bodies of a male baby boy and a female adult were found, washed up in the East Bay area.
The remains were taken to Contra Costa County for autopsy and DNA testing.
Earlier today, April 18, 2003, those remains were identified as those of Laci Peterson.
On April 18, 2003, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Scott Peterson was arrested in San Diego for the murder of Laci Peterson and her unborn son.
Events leading up to this arrest began on December 24th when the Modesto Police Department was notified by family members of Laci's disappearance.
Modesto Police initiated an investigation and interviewed Laci's husband, Scott.
A search for Laci was initiated in the Covena neighborhood, extending to the immediate area, including the park areas along Dry Creek.
Search personnel included hundreds of law enforcement personnel from the Modesto Police Department and assisting agencies, as well as hundreds of volunteers.
The search area was continuously rechecked and expanded throughout the City, County and surrounding regions.
Search personnel searched areas such as waterways, open fields, urban areas/neighborhoods, roadways and bridges.
Searches were conducted on foot, on horseback, in vehicles, in water vessels, in helicopters and in planes.
Resources used included search dogs, divers, sonar devices and other technology.
Almost immediately after Laci's disappearance, rewards were offered for her safe return. Various rewards donated by friends, family and private donors totaled $500,000.
The investigation followed a logical path, starting with those closest to Laci.
Investigators were not able to eliminate Scott. Detectives aggressively investigated and exhausted many other avenues, tips, leads and possibilities.
To date, over 9,000 tips have been received on the Laci Peterson Hotline. Of those 9,000, approximately 7,000 were phone calls to the tip hotline and approximately 2,000 were by e-mail, letter, FAX, etc.
All tips received were documented and sent to detectives for review.
A percentage of tips received were of investigative value. So far, the Modesto Police Department has dedicated over 70,000 staff hours from all levels and areas of the department.