Laci Peterson Investigators Await ID Of Bodies
Bodies Of Woman, Fetus Wash Up On California Shore
POSTED: 7:27 a.m. EDT April 15, 2003
UPDATED: 8:41 p.m. EDT April 15, 2003
RICHMOND, Calif. -- Coroners are working to identify the bodies of a woman and an infant found on a Northern California beach during the past few days.
An autopsy has been conducted on the woman's badly decomposed body, and investigators from Modesto, Calif., have been flown in to determine whether there is a link to the Laci Peterson case. The Modesto woman was eight months pregnant when she was determined to be missing Dec. 24, 2002.
A woman's body was found about a mile from where the body of a male infant was found.
The body had apparently washed up from San Francisco Bay. Authorities would not release details, but did confirm that the body was found at Point Isabel near the Richmond Marina.
The infant's body was found along a trail in Richmond on Sunday night by two people walking their dog. The baby's umbilical cord was still attached and it had been dead for some time. The Contra Costa County Coroner has since identified it as a full-term male.
In a press conference Tuesday, Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jimmy Lee said a hiker also found a bone that was later turned over to the Oakland Police Department.
Lee would not comment about the type of clothing found on the body, whether limbs were missing or other details of the investigation.
The Modesto Police Department held a new conference later Tuesday but shed no light on the investigation, only saying they do not have jurisdiction in the case. Spokesman Doug Ridenour said the identification process could take anywhere from days to weeks.
"It is a time consuming process," Lee said. If it is Laci Peterson, Lee said it would be the Modesto Police who would announce the information.
It's not clear when the identity of the woman's body or the cause of death will be revealed. The infant's autopsy was conducted earlier. The results from both autopsies will be used to see if the
two are related.
The 27-year-old Peterson had been due to give birth to a baby boy in February.
Her husband, Scott Peterson, has told police he went fishing that day at the Berkeley Marina and came home to find his wife missing.
The Berkeley Marina is just a few miles from the area where the body was discovered.
Scott Peterson has not been named as a suspect in Laci's disappearance. However, some family members feel he hasn't been as forthcoming as he could be about what happened to his wife.
During the Modesto police news conference, a spokeswoman read a statement from Laci Peterson's family.
"These past three and a-half months have been a constant nightmare for us," she read. "This waiting is the worst."
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An autopsy has been conducted on the woman's badly decomposed body, and investigators from Modesto, Calif., have been flown in to determine whether there is a link to the Laci Peterson case. The Modesto woman was eight months pregnant when she was determined to be missing Dec. 24, 2002.
A woman's body was found about a mile from where the body of a male infant was found.
The body had apparently washed up from San Francisco Bay. Authorities would not release details, but did confirm that the body was found at Point Isabel near the Richmond Marina.
The infant's body was found along a trail in Richmond on Sunday night by two people walking their dog. The baby's umbilical cord was still attached and it had been dead for some time. The Contra Costa County Coroner has since identified it as a full-term male.
In a press conference Tuesday, Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jimmy Lee said a hiker also found a bone that was later turned over to the Oakland Police Department.
Lee would not comment about the type of clothing found on the body, whether limbs were missing or other details of the investigation.
The Modesto Police Department held a new conference later Tuesday but shed no light on the investigation, only saying they do not have jurisdiction in the case. Spokesman Doug Ridenour said the identification process could take anywhere from days to weeks.
"It is a time consuming process," Lee said. If it is Laci Peterson, Lee said it would be the Modesto Police who would announce the information.
It's not clear when the identity of the woman's body or the cause of death will be revealed. The infant's autopsy was conducted earlier. The results from both autopsies will be used to see if the
two are related.
The 27-year-old Peterson had been due to give birth to a baby boy in February.
Her husband, Scott Peterson, has told police he went fishing that day at the Berkeley Marina and came home to find his wife missing.
The Berkeley Marina is just a few miles from the area where the body was discovered.
Scott Peterson has not been named as a suspect in Laci's disappearance. However, some family members feel he hasn't been as forthcoming as he could be about what happened to his wife.
During the Modesto police news conference, a spokeswoman read a statement from Laci Peterson's family.
"These past three and a-half months have been a constant nightmare for us," she read. "This waiting is the worst."
Previous Stories:
- April 14, 2003: Body, Infant Wash Up On Shore; Laci Investigators Called In
- March 5, 2003: Police Declare Laci Peterson 'Homicide Victim'
- February 18, 2003: Search Warrant For Scott Peterson's Home Obtained
- February 8, 2003: New Search For Missing Calif. Woman Begins
- January 24, 2003: Woman Confirms Affair With Missing Teacher's Husband
- January 10, 2003: Police Searching Marina For Clues About Missing Pregnant Woman
Copyright 2003 by TurnTo23.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
