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.

[Devil_Anse]

Not only that, but Fats Waller did that song even earlier. Great song.

I agree, about Scott's expression in that pic of him and Laci, the one posted on this thread at about Post 79--he looks "hammered." That, to me, would explain his lack of expression. Laci, as usual, looks bubbly and happy. As for the rest of the family, Laci's sister Amy always looks the saddest--truly depressed, which is understandable. Scott's sister Susan Caudillo, OTOH, looks like she's handling it well. All attributable to different personalities, I guess.

And about Scott's note, I know this is not determinative of anything, but I also find it beyond weird that he would sign it "Laci's Husband," w/o adding "Scott" or "Scott Peterson." I would think he would want all the searchers, most of whom don't know him personally, to know EXACTLY who is the first person they should tell(besides police), should they find Laci.

I could easily attribute this shy manner of Scott's to a retiring personality, except I just can't imagine a guy who owned a successful restaurant as being THAT retiring. No restaurant owner I've ever known was so retiring that he couldn't at least meet the public, and talk easily to people.

[NormsRevenge]

You never know, even Clouseau got his man in the end. He's been out here a few days already, at least.

[Scupoli]

I also find it beyond weird that he would sign it "Laci's Husband," w/o adding "Scott" or "Scott Peterson."

That caught your eye too? I found it odd. Guess it wasn't just me:-)

[blondee123]

please add me to your ping list also, thanks.

[texasbluebell]

Here's an awfully sad photo I found on another forum earlier this evening. Did anyone see this? Outside the Peterson's house. I don't know, I might have held onto the Christmas tree a little longer than this.

[blondee123]

Now we're back to the dog talking

They should get the "pet psychiatrist" she talks to animals & they talk to her too!!

[KneelBeforeZod]

the mom said she always called him "Laci's Husband"

[KneelBeforeZod]

Also missing in the Bay Area/outskirts:

RUTH ANN LEAMON Date Missing :aug-19-1982 Modesto, CA

MANUEL MENDEZ Date Missing :dec-22-1996 :MODESTO :CA

Ylva Hagner Date Missing: 10/14/96 Belmont, CA

Kristen Modafferi Missing since June 23, 1997 San Francisco, CA

Jeanine Harms Missing Since July 27th, 2001 Campbell, CA

Gayle Marks Missing since: October 18, 1988 Stockton, CA

Cyndi Vanderheiden Missing since: November 14, 1998 Last seen: Clements, CA (near Lodi) Body never found, but 2 men were convicted of her murder. They also were convicted of five other serial murders, claimed to have done up to 24

VANESSA DAWN SMITH Winton, California on May 31, 1997

SUSAN ROBIN BENDER Date Missing :apr-25-1986 Modesto, CA

Chevelle Wheeler Date Missing: Oct.16,1985 Stockton, CA The serial killers that were convicted of the Vanderheiden murder bragged about killing Wheeler, but were never charged

Kevin Collins Date Missing :feb-10-1984 SAN FRANCISCO CA

TONI DANIEELE CLARK Date Missing :mar-16-1990 OAKLAND CA

MICHAELA JOY GARECHT Date Missing :nov-19-1988 HAYWARD CA

Christine Marie Eastin Missing since January 18, 1971 from Hayward, CA

Ilene Beth Misheloff Missing since January 30, 1989 from Dublin, California.

Clark Handa Date Missing :aug-23-1984 FAIRFIELD CA

Charles Tunstall last seen September 10, 1987 in Oakland, CA.

Joseph W. Cross last seen October 6, 1984 in Alameda, CA

David Arthur Preston last seen on December 2, 1988 in Union City, CA.

Robert Anthony Gonzalez last seen on January 2, 1994 in Berkeley, CA

William Dean Bleakley last seen on July 24, 1995 in Hayward, CA.

Joe Matos Dias March 5, 1989 in San Leandro, CA.

ALEXIA REALE Date Missing :jun-01-1997 :SACRAMENTO :CA

CYNTHIA LYNN SUMPTER Date Missing :apr-27-1974 :SAN JOSE :CA

AMBER JEAN SWARTZ-GARCIA Date Missing :jun-03-1988 :PINOLE :CA

ANNA CHRISTIAN WATERS Date Missing :jan-16-1973 :SAN MATEO COUNTY :CA

MICHAEL OMAS MASAOAY Date Missing :jan-25-1989 :SAN FRANCISCO :CA

Carol Jean Freeberg last seen on July 2, 1997, in Fremont.

Jose De Jesus Diaz November 1, 1982 in Oakland, CA.

Jeffrey Stewart Christian Immel last seen on February 8, 1989 San francisco

Anthony P Lee last seen on June 10, 1986 in Fremont, CA

Peter John McColl last seen on August 28, 1995, in Berkeley

Robert Godofredo Mino last seen April 1, 2000 in Hayward, CA.

Phillip Alfred Montoya last seen MArch 29, 1974 in Fremont, CA

Sheri Lynn Muhleman last seen on February 27, 1989 in Femont, CA.

Justin L Orr last seen on April 28, 2000 in Pleasanton, CA

Margaret Schultz last heard from sometime around October of 1998 in Oakland, CA.

Latoya Natasha Thomas last seen on September 30, 2000, in Hayward.

Jerry Burtin McFadden last seen March 24, 1987 in Foster City, CA.

Andrea Soto Garcia last seen on September 26, 2001, in East Palo Alto

Miguel Barreto August 25, 2001 in East Palo Alto, CA

Agnes Bross last seen on April 02, 2001 in Daly City, CA.

Kelly Vaughn Buckner last seen on February 26, 1999 in East Palo Alto, CA

Cresenciano Cruz last seen on November 20, 1999 in East Palo Alto, CA.

Agustin Guadado Duenas last seen on October 22, 2001 in East Palo Alto, CA

Lorena Franco last seen on March 20, 1999 in East Palo Alto

Ernesto Jimenez last seen on January 13, 1999, in East Palo Alto.

Erica Mendoza ast seen on April 11, 2001 in East Palo Alto, CA.

Duy Quang Phan last seen on April 17, 1992 in Half Moon Bay, CA

Chen H Ren last seen on February 6, 1994 in Daly City, CA

Bomi Yun last seen on March 3, 2002 in Millbrae, CA

Diane Genice Dye Santa Clara Co. last seen 7/30/1979

Mitchell Deon Owens Santa Clara Co abducted 2/2/1983

Lou Ellen Burleigh last seen September 11, 1977 in Walnut Creek, CA.

Lisa Dickinson last seen on September 5, 1976 in Walnut Creek, CA

Dorothy M Caylor last seen on June 12, 1985 in Concord, CA.

Lisa Ann Clark last seen on October 19, 1996 near the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Bridge, CA

Tara Lossett Cossey last seen June 6, 1979 in San Pablo, CA

Robert E McClure last seen on June 7, 1977 in Richmond, CA

Gerald Raymond Rhine last seen on January 15, 1997 in Concord, CA

Issam Ibrahim Atieh last seen on December 9, 1984, in San Francisco

Ivan Barela last in San Francisco on 11/2/1986

Salvador Cejas last seen July 6, 1997 in San Francisco, CA

Donald Bartow Newsome last seen March 15, 1983 in San Francisco, CA.

Steven Allan Davis last seen October 31, 1986 in San Francisco, CA.

Ka Hung Chiu last seen on May 15, 1986, in San Francisco, CA

Bun Wa Chew last seen on February 12, 1994, in San Francisco, CA

Leonard B Branzuela last seen on June 26, 1993 in San Francisco, CA

Frank Azpeitia last seen on October 24, 1984, in San Francisco

Denise Dorfman last seen on February 9, 1980 in San Franisco, CA

Gabriel Perenda Duenas last seen on April 8, 1987 in San Francisco, CA

Selena Marie Edon last seen on October 28, 1991 in San Francisco, CA

Stovan Fletcher last seen on December 20 1998, in Sausalito, CA

Betty Jean Glovak Flurry last seen on January 21, 1992, in San Francisco, CA

Steven Paul Gallen last seen on February 13, 1986, in San Francisco

Justine Gabrielle Flynn last seen on September 9, 1982, in San Francisco, CA

Brenton J Garmire last seen on September 26, 1990, in San Francisco

Robert Hay last seen on September 25, 1981, in San Francisco, CA

John Scott Holt February 10, 1983, in San Francisco, CA

Albert Leo Jimenez March 19, 1981 in San Francisco, CA

Julia Tang Kozicki last seen December 13, 1989 in San Francisco, CA

Noriya Kanemoto last seen on August 29, 1984, in San Francisco

Christine Ann Lape last seen on November 30, 1981 in San Francisco, CA

Robert Lewis Kuhlman last seen June 21, 1979 in San Francisco, CA

Stephanie Praszker last seen July 16, 1985 in San Francisco, CA

Dena Viola Mchan last seen on June 7, 1981 in Stockton, CA

Yolanda Asuncion last seen May 15, 2000, in Stockton, CA

Teresa Alcaraz last seen on July 13, 2001 in Stockton, CA

Juan Jose Baltazar last seen on October 24, 1998 in Stockton, CA

David Samuel Collette last seen on May 22, 1984, in Stockton, CA

Mohammed Elnadery last seen on December 18, 2001 in Stockton, CA

Victor Escalante last seen on September 1, 1994 in Stockton, CA.

Lonnie Airon McQuiston last seen on November 1, 1996, in Stockton, CA

Chantha Heang November 25, 2001 in Stockton, CA

Alma Yadira Moreno last seen on December 20, 2001, in Stockton

Toni Michelle Mozqueds last seen on July 7, 2001 in Stockton, CA.

Arnel Narvaiz last seen on July 1, 1994 in Stockton, CA

Mai Ngo last seen on November 13, 2001 in Stockton, CA

Teri Ann Nuygen last seen on September 3, 2000 in Stockton, CA

Loretta Ann Parker last seen on March 1, 2001 in Stockton, CA

Yang Vang last seen on August 7, 1998 in Stockton, CA

James Kenneth Patterson last seen on December 11, 1988 in Modesto, CA

Albert White last seen on February 2, 1992 in Stockton, CA

Ramon Soto Zuniga last seen on September 10, 1993 in Stockton, CA

Sherie Ann Graves last seen on May 1, 1988, in Modesto, CA

Ruth Leamon last seen on August 19, 1982, in Modesto.

Emil Emanuel last seen on October 2, 2001, in Modesto

Dena M Mc Cluskey last seen on October 10, 1999 in Modesto, CA

some of these are children, but not many. This doesn't include runaways, possible suicides, and people believed to have voluntarily disappeared...all of them are mysterious missing persons....

[RGSpincich]

"Laci's Husband,"

I thought that was strange too.

[RGSpincich]

That could be a neighbor's tree. It looks like it's in that area between houses.

[Devil_Anse]

That occurred to me, too--that it could be a neighbor's tree.

[Devil_Anse]

Laci's mother always called him "Laci's husband?"

Actually that doesn't sound too strange to me. If she'd said "my son-in-law," perhaps that would have caused confusion, she may have another married daughter.

I often refer to family members as "my brother," or "my father-in-law," for example. I don't assume everyone I talk to would know who I meant by a name, such as "Scott."

But this raises another question: did Scott write that note, or did someone else write it for him?

[hergus]

No ties, just interested in missing people and hope that if people are informed that we can bring them home.

Thanks about the website.

[hergus]

I don't know if the question of Laci having a cell phone has been answered yet. If so, please excuse me repeating the info.

She did have a cell phone, it was still inside the house with her purse.

[hergus]

Maybe Scott could be shy and retiring and no one would notice with Laci around?

I can see Laci out with the public at the Shack and Scott doing the business end.

[hergus]

About that tree, I have spoken with others about this as well, the houses are very close together there on Covina Ave. so it might not even be their tree.

Even if it is, once live trees start to shed what can you do with it? Maybe her mom took the tree down? Her other family? Her friends? With Scott out all day I doubt he is doing the work in the house now.

I can't ascribe a negative motive by looking at this photo. But that's just me.

[Mr. K]

I found this photo unusual- his wife is missing and he is taking down the christmas tree instead of out looking for her?

[LQQK at Me]

Anoter name that can be added to the list of missing persons is Rebekah Miller, age 33, a homeless woman, who disappeared in the early hours of Oct. 15th from a location less than a mile from the Peterson home.

[LQQK at Me]

Anoter = Another.

[Howlin]

That is a really, really sad picture. Looks like somebody's not expecting her to come home.