Divers set to renew search in SF Bay

The Modesto Bee ^ | January 11, 2003 Posted: 04:55:09 AM PST | Ty Philips and Patrick Giblin

[runningbear]

MODBEE.COM

Looking west toward Alcatraz Island from the restored Berkeley pier, you can see the old pier stretching out into San Francisco Bay.
AL GOLUB/THE BEE

Susan Caudillo, center, sister of Scott Peterson, and Kim McGregor, a neighbor of the Petersons, watch as Laci Peterson's brother, Brent Rocha, is interviewed on KFIV 1360 AM on Friday morning in Modesto.

JOAN BARNETT LEE/THE BEE

Divers set to renew search in SF Bay

January 11, 2003 Posted: 04:55:09 AM PST

By TY PHILLIPS and PATRICK GIBLIN

Divers plan to return to San Francisco Bay today to determine if an object found two days ago is a body.

Searchers with sonar equipment spotted the object Thursday afternoon while hunting for clues in the disappearance of

Laci Peterson, the 27-year-old pregnant Modestan who has been missing since Christmas Eve.

Modesto police said they put off the object's retrieval until today to give divers a rest and to let stormy weather pass.

Nevertheless, the media showed up Friday at the Berkeley Marina on the chance that divers would go after the object. But police stuck to their plan to attempt the retrieval today.

Officials said there was a 50 percent chance of the object's being a body.

The Bee reported incorrectly Friday that a body -- not Laci Peterson's -- had been pulled from the bay. Police told of the body's recovery on Thursday, then later in the day alerted The Bee that the report was incorrect, and that no body had been found. The Bee received the corrected information before press time, but the incorrect report still appeared in Friday's editions.

"Clearly, in the media frenzy that is associated with this case, there have been a number of rumors that have made it difficult to separate fact from fiction," Police Chief Roy Wasden said. "That led to a miscommunication between The Bee and the Police Department."

Peterson's husband, Scott, 30, has told police that he last saw his wife at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 24 as he left to go fishing out of the Berkeley Marina. He said his wife had planned on taking their dog for a walk in East La Loma Park.

Family members at the volunteer search center Friday clung to hope that gets more difficult to summon with each passing day.

"As a family, we don't feel that (today's) search will end up having anything to do with finding Laci," said Amy Rocha, Laci Peterson's sister.

"They're trying to clear Scott, and they're going to have to search that area to do that. We just feel that it's been so hyped that it's going to be Laci. And we don't believe that it is."

She said the family has "the same positive attitude we've always had."

"But it has gotten harder. The days go by so quickly for us that sometimes we don't realize how long it has been."

At the marina, harbor master Ann Rial Hardinger said the mystery object was found close to the end of the old Berkeley pier, which is 2 1/2 miles long. Anglers said the water depth at the end of the pier is 12 to 17 feet.

Hardinger said searchers had been using three of the harbor's boats while operating the sonar device.

[runningbear]

post me on anything new... lol.. Jerry Rivers..... wooo wee!

[NormsRevenge]

WhoreAldo is there still? They should make good use of that anchor .. if ya get my drift. LOL ;-)

[RGSpincich]

When I hear it, you'll hear it. But I expect this case to get cold until the families and friends start talking.

[runningbear]

you know, driving on Hwy 132, thru the San Joaquin Confluence, the water levels have been normal up until, since I have noticed, last week. Now they are higher, due to possible, water releases from Don Pedro, and rain run offs from Dec. The currents are swift these times, and if a body was disposed of in water, and channels down the river streams, and ultimately to the Delta, she is long gone. FYI...

[RGSpincich]

The bay is polluted enough.

[runningbear]

LOL... don't forget, cops who shoot in the air and bullet comes down to to bite em in the arse!.... Gary Condit's brother did it!..;o)

[alexandria]

Well, they are pulling out a VERY heavy hitter. The quote that you posted from McAllister was from the Cary Stayner murder trial of which he was the defense attorney.

[vikingchick]

Fox: they have NOT ruled out the Berk Marina as a possible crime scene. They may go back later.

[NormsRevenge]

Good point. I wouldn't eat any of the fish out of the bay, personally.

[runningbear]

thanks... maybe not cold yet, just that the investigators are going more into a thinking mode to gather the "what next" steps. Something will give, time will tell. If anything, if Scott is guilty, this was his wake up call to either make further he didn't have anything to do with Laci's dissappearnce and come clean, or cover up totally; out of sight, out of mind scenario.

[wimpycat]

Oh sh**! He defended Stayner?

BTW, one or both of these two families has got some serious bucks.

How else could Scott and Laci, in their mid-20's, have bought their own restaurant (before they sold it and moved to Modesto)? Did they have the credit record to borrow the money? Somebody either loaned or co-signed for them.

Who's got the money? His family or hers?

[wimpycat]

If this case does go cold, Laci's family is NOT going to like it when Scott tries to move on with his life. They might start remembering things that their minds can't admit right now.

[vikingchick]

I read somewhere (I have no link) that his family was described as wealthy. I've also read he was one of several children.

[wimpycat]

Hypothetical: If the case goes cold and her family has their doubts about him.

The family that has the most money to throw around will have the most influence.

[Scupoli]

The currents are swift these times, and if a body was disposed of in water, and channels down the river streams, and ultimately to the Delta, she is long gone. FYI...

A few years back there was a young boy who was playing on a tree on the bank of the river. He slipped and fell in. They never found his body.

[Texas Mom]

Beautiful Cats.

[RGSpincich]

Laci's family and more background

I didn't read it all yet but looks interesting.

[RGSpincich]

Ping to #377

[wimpycat]

Ahhh...it's OK. Didn't tell me too much I was looking for, except that they were a very popular couple, always having parties and get togethers that were always done "just right".

[RGSpincich]

The grandfather may have some money.