November 24, 2025 • 27 mins
Reid Carter begins the Scott Peterson case with Christmas Eve 2002. Laci Peterson, twenty-seven years old and eight months pregnant, disappeared from her Modesto home. Husband Scott claimed he went fishing ninety miles away, came home to empty house. But Scott had a secret. November 20th, he met Amber Frey, told her he was single. December 9th, told Amber he was a "widower" and this would be his first Christmas without his wife—two weeks before Laci vanished. December 30th, Amber saw news coverage, realized Scott lied, contacted police. Started recording their calls. Scott told her he was in Paris. He was at Laci's vigil.
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Join our new FB groups page here. Take the poll!
Join the Celebrity Trials community on social media! We're building a passionate group of true crime enthusiasts who love diving deep into the most shocking cases in America.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram by searching "Celebrity Trials Podcast" on either platform.
You'll get exclusive behind-the-scenes content, breaking news updates on cases we're covering, and early alerts when new episodes drop. Our social media is where Reid Carter's hottest takes live, including reactions that don't make it into the show.
But more importantly, it's where YOU come in. Share your theories, debate the verdicts, and connect with fellow listeners who are just as obsessed with justice as you are. Did the jury get it right? What questions do you still have? Your comments and insights often shape future episodes.
We cover the trials that matter, but our community makes the conversation unforgettable. Come for Reid's signature cynical commentary, stay for the incredible discussions with thousands of true crime fans who get it.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Calarugus Shark Media. Good morning, I'm Reed Carter. Monday, November
twenty fourth, twenty twenty five. December twenty fourth, two thousand
and two, Christmas Eve, Modesto, California, Scott and Lacy Peterson
(00:24):
woke together in their home on Covenah Avenue. Lacey was
twenty seven years old, eight months pregnant with their first child,
a boy. They'd already picked the name Connor, due February tenth,
two thousand and three. According to Scott, They ate breakfast together,
watched television. Around nine thirty am, Scott said he left
(00:46):
to go fishing at Berkeley Marina, ninety miles away alone
on Christmas Eve, while his eight month's pregnant wife stayed home.
Scott said Lacey planned to walk their golden retriever Mackenzie,
then bake, maybe go grocery shopping, spend a quiet day
at home before Christmas dinner with her family. But when
Scott returned from his fishing trip around four thirty pm,
(01:09):
the house was empty. Mackenzie was wandering the neighborhood still
wearing his leash. Lacey's purse was on the counter, her
car in the driveway, no sign of her. Scott called
Lacey's mother, Sharon Racha, Is Lacey with you? No, Sharon
hadn't seen her. Scott called Lacey's stepfather, Ron Grantsky, asked
(01:32):
if Lacey was there. No. At five forty seven pm,
Scott and Ron reported Lacey missing Christmas Eve, eight months pregnant,
vanished without a trace. What Scott didn't tell police He
had a girlfriend, Amber Fray, massage therapist from Fresno. They'd
been dating for five weeks. Scott told Amber he was single,
(01:53):
told her he'd never been married, told her December ninth,
fifteen days before Lacey disappeared, that he was a widower
and this would be his first Christmas without his wife.
Two weeks before Lacy vanished, Scott Peterson told another woman
his wife was already dead. Make it make sense, I'm
Red Carter. This is Celebrity Trials Today, Part one of
(02:14):
Scott and Lacy Peterson. The Christmas Eve disappearance, the affair,
the lies, the husband who went fishing while his pregnant
wife went missing, and the search that captivated America. This
is Celebrity Trials. Let's start with how they met. Summer
nineteen ninety four, San Luis Obispo, California, California Polytechnic State
(02:40):
University Pacific Cafe, a restaurant near campus. Lacey roacha nineteen
years old, worked there as a server, bright, smile, outgoing personality.
Everybody loved Lacey. One day, a customer walked in, Scott Peterson,
also nineteen, about to start his sophomore year at cal Poly. Handsome, charming, confident.
(03:05):
He saw Lacey, She saw him. Instant attraction. Scott asked
her out. Lacey said yes. They started dating, became inseparable.
By all accounts, they were a perfect couple. Both came
from solid, middle class families, both ambitious, Both wanted marriage, kids,
a future together. Lacey's friends described her as warm, caring, maternal.
(03:30):
She loved decorating, cooking, hosting parties, dreamed of being a mother,
having a big family, creating the kind of home where
everyone felt welcome. Scott worked in agricultural sales fertilizer. Good money,
career potential. He was a golfer, fished regularly, outdoorsy, athletic,
seemed like a good provider, a good match. August nineteen
(03:53):
ninety seven, after three years of dating, Scott proposed, Lacey
said yes. They married December ninth, nineteen ninety seven, in
a ceremony in San Luis Obispo, five years to the
day before, Scott would tell Amber Fray he was a widower.
After the wedding, Scott and Lacey moved to Modesto, California,
Lacey's hometown, close to her family Sharon Rocha, Lacey's mother,
(04:17):
and Ron Grantsky, her stepfather, lived nearby. Lacey's brother Brent
extended family, friends support system. Scott and Lacey bought a
three bedroom house on Covena Avenue one thousand, five hundred
square feet, modest but theirs. Lacey decorated it perfectly, warm, welcoming,
(04:39):
ready for children. For the first few years of marriage,
things seemed good. Scott's business was steady, Lacey worked part
time at a local women's clothing boutique. They golfed together,
took trips, spent time with family Facebook. Perfect life, or
so it seemed, But behind the scenes cracks were forming.
(05:00):
Scott cheated multiple times early in the marriage. Lacey found out.
They went to counseling. Scott promised to stop, Lacey forgave him,
decided to work on the marriage. She wanted children, wanted
a family, believed Scott could change. By two thousand and two,
Lacey was ready, thirty years old, wanted to start a family.
(05:22):
They'd been trying for months. Then Spring two thousand and two,
Lacey got pregnant, due February tenth, two thousand and three,
a boy. They named him Connor. Lacey was thrilled, decorated
the nursery, bought baby clothes, read parenting books, attended prenatal classes,
(05:42):
told everyone who would listen how excited she was, how
much she loved being pregnant, how she couldn't wait to
meet her son. Scott's reaction less enthusiastic. Friends later testified
Scott seemed stressed about the pregnancy, worried about money, worried
about losing freedom, about being tied down, but publicly he
(06:03):
played the part supportive husband, excited father to be. November
two thousand and two, Lacey was seven months pregnant, belly huge, glowing, nesting,
preparing for Connor's arrival, and Scott Scott was preparing too,
but not for fatherhood. November twentieth, two thousand and two,
(06:25):
Scott attended a business conference in Anaheim, California, American Bodyworks
Convention Fitness industry event. While there, he met Sean Sibley,
a business associate, who mentioned she had a friend Scott
might like, single woman pretty. Scott said he was interested.
The friend was Amber Frey, twenty seven years old massage
(06:47):
therapist from Fresno, single mother to a young daughter, looking
for a relationship. Stableman, someone honest. Sean introduced them. Scott
told Amber he was single, never been married, no kids,
traveled internationally for work, successful businessman, jet setter, everything Amber
wanted to hear. Their first date November twentieth, two thousand
(07:09):
and two, dinner in Fresno. Scott drove ninety minutes from Modesto,
brought champagne and strawberries. Romantic, attentive, perfect gentlemen. Amber was smitten.
This guy seemed amazing, successful, worldly, interested in her. By
the end of the night, they were planning a second date.
Over the next two weeks, Scott and Amber talked daily,
(07:32):
phone calls, text messages. He sent her flowers, told her
he was falling for her, that she was special, that
he'd been waiting to meet someone like her. But Scott
kept making excuses about why they couldn't see each other
in person, always traveling business trips, family, obligations. Amber understood
(07:52):
he was busy. Successful men are busy. December ninth, two
thousand and two, fifth wedding ann of ursary for Scott
and Lacey. They'd been married five years. Lacey was eight
months pregnant, nesting at home, planning Christmas, excited about Connor's
arrival in two months. That same day, Scott called Amber
(08:13):
told her something shocking. He'd lost his wife. This would
be his first Christmas without her. He was devastated, still grieving.
Holidays were going to be hard. Amber's heart broke for him,
poor Scott, a widower, so young, grieving during the holidays.
She wanted to support him, be there for him, help
(08:36):
him through this difficult time. Accept Scott's wife wasn't dead.
She was home in Modesto, eight months pregnant, baking Christmas cookies,
wrapping presents, very much alive. Scott Peterson told his mistress
his wife was dead, two weeks before she actually disappeared.
(08:56):
Prosecutors would later argue this proved premeditation, that Scott planned
Lacey's murder weeks in advance, that the affair with Amber
was his motive. He wanted freedom, wanted to be single,
wanted to live the fantasy life he'd created for Amber
and Lacey pregnant dependent tying him down was the obstacle.
(09:17):
Defense attorneys would argue the opposite, that Scott's lies to
Amber proved nothing, that he was a serial cheater yes,
a liar, yes, but not a murderer, That telling Amber
his wife was dead was just another lie to avoid
explaining why he couldn't spend Christmas with her. Either way,
one fact is undeniable. Scott Petersen told another woman his
(09:39):
pregnant wife was dead. Fifteen days later, Lacey vanished. Make
it make sense Christmas Eve. The disappearance ten minutes December
twenty fourth, two thousand and two, Christmas Eve morning. According
to Scott's account to police, given just hours after Lacey disappeared,
Here's what happened. He and Lacey woke around eight am,
(10:03):
ate breakfast together Cereal, watched television Martha Stewart's Christmas Special.
Normal morning, nothing unusual. Around nine thirty am, Scott said
he decided to go fishing Berkeley Marina, San Francisco Bay,
ninety miles from Modesto. He'd recently bought a small fishing boat,
(10:24):
fourteen foot aluminum boat wanted to try it out. Christmas
Eve seemed like a good day. Lacey planned to walk mackenzie,
their golden retriever, then finished Christmas preparations, baking, wrapping, maybe shower.
Her mother was hosting Christmas dinner that evening. They'd go together.
Scott left around nine thirty am. Drove to his warehouse
(10:47):
in Modesto, loaded his boat, sent a few work emails,
time stamped at the warehouse computer, then drove ninety miles
to Berkeley Marina. Arrived around twelve thirty pm. Backed his
truck and boat into the marina. Launched the boat. Went
fishing for about ninety minutes alone on Christmas Eve while
his eight months pregnant wife was home. Caught nothing. Came
(11:10):
back to shore around two pm. Loaded the boat, drove
back to Modesto, stopped at his warehouse to drop off
the boat, then home. Arrived home approximately four thirty pm.
House was dark, empty, McKenzie wandering the yard, still wearing
his leash. Back gate open. Scott called Lacey's cell phone,
(11:31):
no answer. Called Sharon, is Lacey with you? No? Called
Ron is Lacey there? No. Scott walked through the neighborhood
looking for Lacey. Asked neighbors if they'd seen her. One neighbor,
Karen Servis, said she'd found McKenzie wandering around ten thirty
(11:52):
am that morning. Muddy Leash returned him to the Peterson's yard,
assumed Lacey was home. But Lacey was and home, she
was gone. Five seventeen PM, Scott called Sharon again, more urgent,
this time, Lacey's missing. I can't find her. Mackenzie was
in the yard with his lee, Shawn. The back gate
(12:13):
was open. She's not answering her phone. Sharon panicked. Lacey
wouldn't just leave, not eight months pregnant, not on Christmas Eve,
not without telling anyone something was wrong. At five forty
seven pm, Scott and Ron reported Lacey missing. Officers responded
to the Covena Avenue house began asking questions. Where was
(12:34):
Lacey last scene home this morning around nine thirty am
when Scott left for his fishing trip. What was she wearing?
Scott wasn't sure. Maybe black pants, white top? Maybe what
was she planning to do? Walk the dog, shower, bake,
finish Christmas prep? Where did Scott go fishing? Berkeley Marina,
(12:56):
ninety miles away for ninety minutes on Christmas Eve alone.
Officers noted Scott seemed calm, unusually calm, not panicked, not frantic,
just matter of fact. My wife is missing. I don't
know where she is, like he was reporting a stolen bicycle,
(13:16):
not a missing pregnant wife. They also noted the house
was clean, very clean, mopped floors, no signs of struggle,
no blood, no forced entry, nothing out of place. Scott's
truck was muddy. He'd been to the marina boat ramp. Understandable,
but why go fishing on Christmas Eve while your wife
(13:38):
is eight months pregnant when you're supposed to attend Christmas
dinner at her family's house that evening. Scott explained he'd
just bought the boat, wanted to try it out, thought
he'd have time to fish and get back before Christmas dinner.
Simple as that. Police asked if they could search the house.
Scott said yes. They walked through, checked closets, bathrooms, garage,
(14:02):
Lacey's purse on the counter, wallet inside car, keys, cell phone,
charging everything she'd need if she left the house. In
the master bedroom, the bed was made, Lacey's clothes laid
out on the bed like she'd been planning to shower
and change, but didn't. In the nursery Connor's room, everything
was ready, crib assembled, clothes, folded, Teddy Bears, Winnie the Pooh, decorations.
(14:29):
Lacey had spent months preparing, all waiting for a baby
who'd never sleep there. Officers asked Scott to take a
polygraph test, standard procedure and missing persons cases. Scott refused,
said he'd talk to a lawyer first. That refusal raised
red flags. Why wouldn't a husband whose pregnant wife just
disappeared agree to a polygraph? If you have nothing to hide,
(14:51):
you take the test, you do everything possible to help
find your wife. But Scott refused, and that made investigat
her suspicious. By evening, words spread through Modesto Peterson pregnant, young, beautiful,
missing on Christmas Eve. The community mobilized hundreds of volunteers,
search parties, flyers, candlelight vigils, massive effort to find Lacy.
(15:17):
The story hit local news, then regional, then national. CNN
picked it up, Fox News, MSNBC. By December twenty sixth,
Lacy Peterson's face was everywhere. Missing pregnant woman, Christmas Eve disappearance,
husband's behavior suspicious and America became obsessed. Nancy Grace devoted
(15:37):
entire shows to the case. Cable news ran wall to
wall coverage, True crime forums exploded. Everyone had a theory.
Everyone suspected Scott because his story didn't make sense. Who
goes fishing ninety miles away on Christmas Eve? Who leaves
their eight months pregnant wife home alone all day when
she's about to give birth? Who comes home to find
(15:59):
their wife missing, an doesn't call police for over an hour,
And most importantly, who refuses a polygraph when their pregnant
wife disappears? The roach of family, Lacey's mother, stepfather, and
brother held press conferences tearful. Please for information. Please, if
you know anything about Lacey, call police. We just want
(16:19):
our home safe. We want to meet Connor. Sharon Roscha
spoke directly to Lacey through the cameras. Lacey, if you're
watching this, we love you, We're looking for you. Come home.
We're waiting for you and Connor. The family publicly supported Scott,
defended him, said he couldn't possibly be involved. He loved Lacey,
(16:41):
loved his son, was desperate to find them, But privately,
investigators were building a case, searching Scott's warehouse, his truck,
his boat, his computer, his phone records, his financial records,
looking for evidence, Looking for motive, they found both. Scott's
computer showed searches for San Francisco Bay tides, currents, water
(17:04):
depth searches made before Christmas Eve, before Lacey disappeared. Why
was Scott researching the bay where he supposedly went fishing
on a whim? His warehouse contained cement powder, five gallon buckets,
receipts for supplies. Scott told police he'd made cement anchors
for his boat, but investigators found only one. Where were
(17:26):
the others? Financial records showed Scott and Lacey were living
beyond their means, twenty three thousand dollars in credit card debt,
behind on bills, financial pressure, a baby on the way,
more expenses coming, and Scott had increased Lacey's life insurance
policy months earlier two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. If
(17:46):
Lacey died, Scott would collect enough to pay off debts
start over live the fantasy life he'd created for Amber.
But the biggest break came December thirtieth, two thousand and two,
days after Lacey disappeared. Amber Frey called the Modesto Police
tip line. We'll be right back with Amber Frey, the
(18:08):
mistress who didn't know she was a mistress. The recorded
phone calls, and Scott Peterson's lies that destroyed whatever credibility
he had left. Welcome back to celebrity trials. I'm reed, Carter.
(18:33):
December thirtieth, two thousand and two. Amberfrey, twenty seven years
old massage therapist from Fresno, saw a newspaper article about
Lacy Peterson's disappearance, missing pregnant woman from Modesto, husband Scott
Peterson asking for help finding her. Amber stared at the photo.
That's Scott. The Scott she'd been dating for five weeks.
(18:54):
The Scott who told her he was single, never married,
no kids. The Scott who said he was a wi
mourning his first Christmas without his wife. Except his wife
wasn't dead, she was missing and eight months pregnant. Amber
called her friend, Sean Sibley, the woman who'd introduced her
to Scott. Did you know Scott is married, his wife
(19:17):
is missing, She's pregnant. Sean was shocked, had no idea
Scott told her he was single. She never would have
introduced them if she'd known. Amber called the Modesto Police
tip line. Explained she'd been dating Scott Peterson, that he'd
lied to her, that he told her he was single,
that he said he'd lost his wife weeks before Lacey
(19:38):
actually disappeared. Detectives asked Amber to come to the station immediately.
This was huge. Amber drove to Modesto, sat with detectives,
told them everything their first date November twentieth, the phone calls,
the flowers, the lies about traveling internationally, the December ninth
(19:58):
conversation where Scott said he was a widower. Detectives believed
her knew she was telling the truth. This was the
motive they needed. Scott wanted to be with Amber, wanted
the single life, wanted freedom. Lacey and Connor were in
the way. They asked Amber to help. Would she continue
(20:19):
talking to Scott, record the conversations, try to get him
to confess or reveal information about Lacey's disappearance. Amber agreed.
Police gave her a recording device, taught her how to
use it, told her what to ask, how to keep
Scott talking. Over the next month, Amber recorded dozens of
phone calls with Scott, more than twenty nine hours of conversation,
(20:42):
all recorded all evidence the calls were damning. December thirty first,
two thousand and two, New Year's Eve, Modesto held a
candlelight vigil for Lacey. Hundreds of people gathered, praying for
Lacey's safe return, holding candles, singing, grieving together. Scott attended.
Cameras captured him there, standing with Lacey's family, but witnesses
(21:04):
said he seemed detached, aloof didn't cry, didn't show emotion.
At one point, someone saw him smile laugh at a
vigil for his missing pregnant wife. Sharon Roacha later testified
she tried to hug Scott at the vigil. He angled
away from her, avoided the embrace, didn't acknowledge her calling
(21:24):
his name, just walked away. While at the vigil, Scott
called Amber, told her he was in Paris celebrating New
Year's Eve with friends. Could hear fireworks in the background,
Except Scott wasn't in Paris, He was at Lacey's vigil
in Modesto. The fireworks. Amber heard the candlelight ceremony, music,
(21:47):
prayers for Lacey. Scott lied to his mistress while standing
at his wife's vigil. Make it Make Sense. January sixth
two thousand and three, Scott called Amber, told her he
was in Brussels business trip, missing her, wished he could
be with her. Scott was in Modesto at his warehouse.
Police had him under surveillance, knew exactly where he was
(22:11):
and he wasn't in Brussels. Throughout January, Scott continued calling Amber,
telling her he loved her, that he was traveling, that
he'd be back soon, that they'd be together, that his
wife dying was the hardest thing he'd ever gone through,
but meeting Amber gave him hope. Amber played along, asked questions,
let Scott talk, recorded everything. Meanwhile, the search for Lacey intensified.
(22:36):
Volunteers combed parks fields, waterways, bloodhounds, dive teams, helicopters, equisearch.
Texas based nonprofit sent teams to Modesto. Massive effort, nothing found.
January fifteenth, two thousand and three, detectives told Lacey's family
about the affair. Sharon, Ron and Brent were devastated. Sharon
(22:57):
later testified she immediately believed Scott killed Lacey. If he
could lie about that, he could lie about anything. The
family confronted Scott, He admitted the affair, said it was
a mistake, said it had nothing to do with Lacey's disappearance,
said he still loved Lacey, still wanted to find her,
(23:19):
but the damage was done. The family stopped publicly supporting Scott,
started cooperating fully with police. Gave interviews saying they believed
Scott was involved. January twenty fourth, two thousand and three,
Modesto Police held a press conference. Amber Fray stood at
the podium, flanked by her attorney, Gloria Allread, shaking, nervous, terrified,
(23:43):
She read a prepared statement. I met Scott Peterson November twentieth,
two thousand and two. I was introduced to him as
an unmarried man. He told me he was not married.
We started a romantic relationship. On December ninth, he told
me he had lost his wife. This would be the
first holiday without her. When I discovered he was involved
with Lacy Peterson's disappearance, I immediately contacted the Modesto Police Department.
(24:09):
The press conference was broadcast live. National News America rerupted
Scott Peterson had a mistress. He'd been lying. He told
Amber his wife was dead before she actually disappeared. This
was the smoking gun. Cable news replayed Amber's statement endlessly.
(24:38):
Nancy Grace called Scott a monster. Legal experts said the
affair proved motive. Public opinion turned completely against Scott guilty.
Everyone knew it. Scott's defense attorneys tried damage control, said
the affair was irrelevant, didn't prove murder. Lots of men cheat,
doesn't make them killers, but America wasn't buying it. The
(24:59):
recorded phone, the lies, the behavior, the timeline all pointed
to one conclusion. Scott Peterson killed his pregnant wife to
be with his mistress. March fifth, two thousand and three,
Modesto police officially reclassified Lacey's disappearance as a homicide investigation.
She wasn't missing, she was dead, and Scott was the
(25:21):
prime suspect. The search continued, waterways, fields, landfills. Nothing. Lacey's
body was still missing, Connor's body missing. No physical evidence,
no crime scene, no witnesses, no confession, Just circumstantial evidence.
The affair, the lies, the behavior, the financial motive, the timeline,
(25:42):
the cement anchors, the searches for San Francisco Bay, Scott's
refusal to cooperate fully. Prosecutors believed they could convict Scott
without a body. Circumstantial cases had succeeded before. They just
needed Lacey to be found, needed proof she was dead,
needed the bodies, and in April two thousand and three,
they got their wish. That's part one of Scott and
(26:07):
Lacy Peterson. December twenty fourth, two thousand and two, Lacey disappeared.
Scott claimed he went fishing ninety miles away, came home
to empty house, called police hours later. But Scott had
secrets an affair with Amber Frey. Told her he was single,
told her December ninth, two weeks before Lacey vanished, that
(26:29):
his wife was dead, that he was a widower. December thirtieth,
Amber saw news coverage, realized Scott lied, called police, started
recording their conversations. Twenty nine hours of recorded calls, Scott
lying about being in Paris, in Brussels, traveling internationally, all
(26:50):
while at Lacey's vigils, while police searched for his missing,
pregnant wife. January twenty fourth, two thousand and three, Amberfrey
held press conference, revealed the affair America exploded, Scott Peterson's
credibility destroyed. March two thousand and three, case reclassified as homicide.
(27:11):
Lacey presumed dead, but still no body no evidence, no
crime scene. Tomorrow Part two, April thirteenth, two thousand and three,
the body of a fetus washes ashore in San Francisco Bay,
one mile from where Scott went fishing. The next day
Lacey's body, Scott arrested, the trial, the conviction, death penalty,
(27:32):
and where Scott Peterson is today, still claiming innocence. Rest
in peace, Lacey. Someone has to say your name. I'm
Reed Carter. This is celebrity trials.
Calarugus Shark Media. Good morning, I'm Reed Carter. Monday, November
twenty fourth, twenty twenty five. December twenty fourth, two thousand
and two, Christmas Eve, Modesto, California, Scott and Lacy Peterson
(00:24):
woke together in their home on Covenah Avenue. Lacey was
twenty seven years old, eight months pregnant with their first child,
a boy. They'd already picked the name Connor, due February tenth,
two thousand and three. According to Scott, They ate breakfast together,
watched television. Around nine thirty am, Scott said he left
(00:46):
to go fishing at Berkeley Marina, ninety miles away alone
on Christmas Eve, while his eight month's pregnant wife stayed home.
Scott said Lacey planned to walk their golden retriever Mackenzie,
then bake, maybe go grocery shopping, spend a quiet day
at home before Christmas dinner with her family. But when
Scott returned from his fishing trip around four thirty pm,
(01:09):
the house was empty. Mackenzie was wandering the neighborhood still
wearing his leash. Lacey's purse was on the counter, her
car in the driveway, no sign of her. Scott called
Lacey's mother, Sharon Racha, Is Lacey with you? No, Sharon
hadn't seen her. Scott called Lacey's stepfather, Ron Grantsky, asked
(01:32):
if Lacey was there. No. At five forty seven pm,
Scott and Ron reported Lacey missing Christmas Eve, eight months pregnant,
vanished without a trace. What Scott didn't tell police He
had a girlfriend, Amber Fray, massage therapist from Fresno. They'd
been dating for five weeks. Scott told Amber he was single,
(01:53):
told her he'd never been married, told her December ninth,
fifteen days before Lacey disappeared, that he was a widower
and this would be his first Christmas without his wife.
Two weeks before Lacy vanished, Scott Peterson told another woman
his wife was already dead. Make it make sense, I'm
Red Carter. This is Celebrity Trials Today, Part one of
(02:14):
Scott and Lacy Peterson. The Christmas Eve disappearance, the affair,
the lies, the husband who went fishing while his pregnant
wife went missing, and the search that captivated America. This
is Celebrity Trials. Let's start with how they met. Summer
nineteen ninety four, San Luis Obispo, California, California Polytechnic State
(02:40):
University Pacific Cafe, a restaurant near campus. Lacey roacha nineteen
years old, worked there as a server, bright, smile, outgoing personality.
Everybody loved Lacey. One day, a customer walked in, Scott Peterson,
also nineteen, about to start his sophomore year at cal Poly. Handsome, charming, confident.
(03:05):
He saw Lacey, She saw him. Instant attraction. Scott asked
her out. Lacey said yes. They started dating, became inseparable.
By all accounts, they were a perfect couple. Both came
from solid, middle class families, both ambitious, Both wanted marriage, kids,
a future together. Lacey's friends described her as warm, caring, maternal.
(03:30):
She loved decorating, cooking, hosting parties, dreamed of being a mother,
having a big family, creating the kind of home where
everyone felt welcome. Scott worked in agricultural sales fertilizer. Good money,
career potential. He was a golfer, fished regularly, outdoorsy, athletic,
seemed like a good provider, a good match. August nineteen
(03:53):
ninety seven, after three years of dating, Scott proposed, Lacey
said yes. They married December ninth, nineteen ninety seven, in
a ceremony in San Luis Obispo, five years to the
day before, Scott would tell Amber Fray he was a widower.
After the wedding, Scott and Lacey moved to Modesto, California,
Lacey's hometown, close to her family Sharon Rocha, Lacey's mother,
(04:17):
and Ron Grantsky, her stepfather, lived nearby. Lacey's brother Brent
extended family, friends support system. Scott and Lacey bought a
three bedroom house on Covena Avenue one thousand, five hundred
square feet, modest but theirs. Lacey decorated it perfectly, warm, welcoming,
(04:39):
ready for children. For the first few years of marriage,
things seemed good. Scott's business was steady, Lacey worked part
time at a local women's clothing boutique. They golfed together,
took trips, spent time with family Facebook. Perfect life, or
so it seemed, But behind the scenes cracks were forming.
(05:00):
Scott cheated multiple times early in the marriage. Lacey found out.
They went to counseling. Scott promised to stop, Lacey forgave him,
decided to work on the marriage. She wanted children, wanted
a family, believed Scott could change. By two thousand and two,
Lacey was ready, thirty years old, wanted to start a family.
(05:22):
They'd been trying for months. Then Spring two thousand and two,
Lacey got pregnant, due February tenth, two thousand and three,
a boy. They named him Connor. Lacey was thrilled, decorated
the nursery, bought baby clothes, read parenting books, attended prenatal classes,
(05:42):
told everyone who would listen how excited she was, how
much she loved being pregnant, how she couldn't wait to
meet her son. Scott's reaction less enthusiastic. Friends later testified
Scott seemed stressed about the pregnancy, worried about money, worried
about losing freedom, about being tied down, but publicly he
(06:03):
played the part supportive husband, excited father to be. November
two thousand and two, Lacey was seven months pregnant, belly huge, glowing, nesting,
preparing for Connor's arrival, and Scott Scott was preparing too,
but not for fatherhood. November twentieth, two thousand and two,
(06:25):
Scott attended a business conference in Anaheim, California, American Bodyworks
Convention Fitness industry event. While there, he met Sean Sibley,
a business associate, who mentioned she had a friend Scott
might like, single woman pretty. Scott said he was interested.
The friend was Amber Frey, twenty seven years old massage
(06:47):
therapist from Fresno, single mother to a young daughter, looking
for a relationship. Stableman, someone honest. Sean introduced them. Scott
told Amber he was single, never been married, no kids,
traveled internationally for work, successful businessman, jet setter, everything Amber
wanted to hear. Their first date November twentieth, two thousand
(07:09):
and two, dinner in Fresno. Scott drove ninety minutes from Modesto,
brought champagne and strawberries. Romantic, attentive, perfect gentlemen. Amber was smitten.
This guy seemed amazing, successful, worldly, interested in her. By
the end of the night, they were planning a second date.
Over the next two weeks, Scott and Amber talked daily,
(07:32):
phone calls, text messages. He sent her flowers, told her
he was falling for her, that she was special, that
he'd been waiting to meet someone like her. But Scott
kept making excuses about why they couldn't see each other
in person, always traveling business trips, family, obligations. Amber understood
(07:52):
he was busy. Successful men are busy. December ninth, two
thousand and two, fifth wedding ann of ursary for Scott
and Lacey. They'd been married five years. Lacey was eight
months pregnant, nesting at home, planning Christmas, excited about Connor's
arrival in two months. That same day, Scott called Amber
(08:13):
told her something shocking. He'd lost his wife. This would
be his first Christmas without her. He was devastated, still grieving.
Holidays were going to be hard. Amber's heart broke for him,
poor Scott, a widower, so young, grieving during the holidays.
She wanted to support him, be there for him, help
(08:36):
him through this difficult time. Accept Scott's wife wasn't dead.
She was home in Modesto, eight months pregnant, baking Christmas cookies,
wrapping presents, very much alive. Scott Peterson told his mistress
his wife was dead, two weeks before she actually disappeared.
(08:56):
Prosecutors would later argue this proved premeditation, that Scott planned
Lacey's murder weeks in advance, that the affair with Amber
was his motive. He wanted freedom, wanted to be single,
wanted to live the fantasy life he'd created for Amber
and Lacey pregnant dependent tying him down was the obstacle.
(09:17):
Defense attorneys would argue the opposite, that Scott's lies to
Amber proved nothing, that he was a serial cheater yes,
a liar, yes, but not a murderer, That telling Amber
his wife was dead was just another lie to avoid
explaining why he couldn't spend Christmas with her. Either way,
one fact is undeniable. Scott Petersen told another woman his
(09:39):
pregnant wife was dead. Fifteen days later, Lacey vanished. Make
it make sense Christmas Eve. The disappearance ten minutes December
twenty fourth, two thousand and two, Christmas Eve morning. According
to Scott's account to police, given just hours after Lacey disappeared,
Here's what happened. He and Lacey woke around eight am,
(10:03):
ate breakfast together Cereal, watched television Martha Stewart's Christmas Special.
Normal morning, nothing unusual. Around nine thirty am, Scott said
he decided to go fishing Berkeley Marina, San Francisco Bay,
ninety miles from Modesto. He'd recently bought a small fishing boat,
(10:24):
fourteen foot aluminum boat wanted to try it out. Christmas
Eve seemed like a good day. Lacey planned to walk mackenzie,
their golden retriever, then finished Christmas preparations, baking, wrapping, maybe shower.
Her mother was hosting Christmas dinner that evening. They'd go together.
Scott left around nine thirty am. Drove to his warehouse
(10:47):
in Modesto, loaded his boat, sent a few work emails,
time stamped at the warehouse computer, then drove ninety miles
to Berkeley Marina. Arrived around twelve thirty pm. Backed his
truck and boat into the marina. Launched the boat. Went
fishing for about ninety minutes alone on Christmas Eve while
his eight months pregnant wife was home. Caught nothing. Came
(11:10):
back to shore around two pm. Loaded the boat, drove
back to Modesto, stopped at his warehouse to drop off
the boat, then home. Arrived home approximately four thirty pm.
House was dark, empty, McKenzie wandering the yard, still wearing
his leash. Back gate open. Scott called Lacey's cell phone,
(11:31):
no answer. Called Sharon, is Lacey with you? No? Called
Ron is Lacey there? No. Scott walked through the neighborhood
looking for Lacey. Asked neighbors if they'd seen her. One neighbor,
Karen Servis, said she'd found McKenzie wandering around ten thirty
(11:52):
am that morning. Muddy Leash returned him to the Peterson's yard,
assumed Lacey was home. But Lacey was and home, she
was gone. Five seventeen PM, Scott called Sharon again, more urgent,
this time, Lacey's missing. I can't find her. Mackenzie was
in the yard with his lee, Shawn. The back gate
(12:13):
was open. She's not answering her phone. Sharon panicked. Lacey
wouldn't just leave, not eight months pregnant, not on Christmas Eve,
not without telling anyone something was wrong. At five forty
seven pm, Scott and Ron reported Lacey missing. Officers responded
to the Covena Avenue house began asking questions. Where was
(12:34):
Lacey last scene home this morning around nine thirty am
when Scott left for his fishing trip. What was she wearing?
Scott wasn't sure. Maybe black pants, white top? Maybe what
was she planning to do? Walk the dog, shower, bake,
finish Christmas prep? Where did Scott go fishing? Berkeley Marina,
(12:56):
ninety miles away for ninety minutes on Christmas Eve alone.
Officers noted Scott seemed calm, unusually calm, not panicked, not frantic,
just matter of fact. My wife is missing. I don't
know where she is, like he was reporting a stolen bicycle,
(13:16):
not a missing pregnant wife. They also noted the house
was clean, very clean, mopped floors, no signs of struggle,
no blood, no forced entry, nothing out of place. Scott's
truck was muddy. He'd been to the marina boat ramp. Understandable,
but why go fishing on Christmas Eve while your wife
(13:38):
is eight months pregnant when you're supposed to attend Christmas
dinner at her family's house that evening. Scott explained he'd
just bought the boat, wanted to try it out, thought
he'd have time to fish and get back before Christmas dinner.
Simple as that. Police asked if they could search the house.
Scott said yes. They walked through, checked closets, bathrooms, garage,
(14:02):
Lacey's purse on the counter, wallet inside car, keys, cell phone,
charging everything she'd need if she left the house. In
the master bedroom, the bed was made, Lacey's clothes laid
out on the bed like she'd been planning to shower
and change, but didn't. In the nursery Connor's room, everything
was ready, crib assembled, clothes, folded, Teddy Bears, Winnie the Pooh, decorations.
(14:29):
Lacey had spent months preparing, all waiting for a baby
who'd never sleep there. Officers asked Scott to take a
polygraph test, standard procedure and missing persons cases. Scott refused,
said he'd talk to a lawyer first. That refusal raised
red flags. Why wouldn't a husband whose pregnant wife just
disappeared agree to a polygraph? If you have nothing to hide,
(14:51):
you take the test, you do everything possible to help
find your wife. But Scott refused, and that made investigat
her suspicious. By evening, words spread through Modesto Peterson pregnant, young, beautiful,
missing on Christmas Eve. The community mobilized hundreds of volunteers,
search parties, flyers, candlelight vigils, massive effort to find Lacy.
(15:17):
The story hit local news, then regional, then national. CNN
picked it up, Fox News, MSNBC. By December twenty sixth,
Lacy Peterson's face was everywhere. Missing pregnant woman, Christmas Eve disappearance,
husband's behavior suspicious and America became obsessed. Nancy Grace devoted
(15:37):
entire shows to the case. Cable news ran wall to
wall coverage, True crime forums exploded. Everyone had a theory.
Everyone suspected Scott because his story didn't make sense. Who
goes fishing ninety miles away on Christmas Eve? Who leaves
their eight months pregnant wife home alone all day when
she's about to give birth? Who comes home to find
(15:59):
their wife missing, an doesn't call police for over an hour,
And most importantly, who refuses a polygraph when their pregnant
wife disappears? The roach of family, Lacey's mother, stepfather, and
brother held press conferences tearful. Please for information. Please, if
you know anything about Lacey, call police. We just want
(16:19):
our home safe. We want to meet Connor. Sharon Roscha
spoke directly to Lacey through the cameras. Lacey, if you're
watching this, we love you, We're looking for you. Come home.
We're waiting for you and Connor. The family publicly supported Scott,
defended him, said he couldn't possibly be involved. He loved Lacey,
(16:41):
loved his son, was desperate to find them, But privately,
investigators were building a case, searching Scott's warehouse, his truck,
his boat, his computer, his phone records, his financial records,
looking for evidence, Looking for motive, they found both. Scott's
computer showed searches for San Francisco Bay tides, currents, water
(17:04):
depth searches made before Christmas Eve, before Lacey disappeared. Why
was Scott researching the bay where he supposedly went fishing
on a whim? His warehouse contained cement powder, five gallon buckets,
receipts for supplies. Scott told police he'd made cement anchors
for his boat, but investigators found only one. Where were
(17:26):
the others? Financial records showed Scott and Lacey were living
beyond their means, twenty three thousand dollars in credit card debt,
behind on bills, financial pressure, a baby on the way,
more expenses coming, and Scott had increased Lacey's life insurance
policy months earlier two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. If
(17:46):
Lacey died, Scott would collect enough to pay off debts
start over live the fantasy life he'd created for Amber.
But the biggest break came December thirtieth, two thousand and two,
days after Lacey disappeared. Amber Frey called the Modesto Police
tip line. We'll be right back with Amber Frey, the
(18:08):
mistress who didn't know she was a mistress. The recorded
phone calls, and Scott Peterson's lies that destroyed whatever credibility
he had left. Welcome back to celebrity trials. I'm reed, Carter.
(18:33):
December thirtieth, two thousand and two. Amberfrey, twenty seven years
old massage therapist from Fresno, saw a newspaper article about
Lacy Peterson's disappearance, missing pregnant woman from Modesto, husband Scott
Peterson asking for help finding her. Amber stared at the photo.
That's Scott. The Scott she'd been dating for five weeks.
(18:54):
The Scott who told her he was single, never married,
no kids. The Scott who said he was a wi
mourning his first Christmas without his wife. Except his wife
wasn't dead, she was missing and eight months pregnant. Amber
called her friend, Sean Sibley, the woman who'd introduced her
to Scott. Did you know Scott is married, his wife
(19:17):
is missing, She's pregnant. Sean was shocked, had no idea
Scott told her he was single. She never would have
introduced them if she'd known. Amber called the Modesto Police
tip line. Explained she'd been dating Scott Peterson, that he'd
lied to her, that he told her he was single,
that he said he'd lost his wife weeks before Lacey
(19:38):
actually disappeared. Detectives asked Amber to come to the station immediately.
This was huge. Amber drove to Modesto, sat with detectives,
told them everything their first date November twentieth, the phone calls,
the flowers, the lies about traveling internationally, the December ninth
(19:58):
conversation where Scott said he was a widower. Detectives believed
her knew she was telling the truth. This was the
motive they needed. Scott wanted to be with Amber, wanted
the single life, wanted freedom. Lacey and Connor were in
the way. They asked Amber to help. Would she continue
(20:19):
talking to Scott, record the conversations, try to get him
to confess or reveal information about Lacey's disappearance. Amber agreed.
Police gave her a recording device, taught her how to
use it, told her what to ask, how to keep
Scott talking. Over the next month, Amber recorded dozens of
phone calls with Scott, more than twenty nine hours of conversation,
(20:42):
all recorded all evidence the calls were damning. December thirty first,
two thousand and two, New Year's Eve, Modesto held a
candlelight vigil for Lacey. Hundreds of people gathered, praying for
Lacey's safe return, holding candles, singing, grieving together. Scott attended.
Cameras captured him there, standing with Lacey's family, but witnesses
(21:04):
said he seemed detached, aloof didn't cry, didn't show emotion.
At one point, someone saw him smile laugh at a
vigil for his missing pregnant wife. Sharon Roacha later testified
she tried to hug Scott at the vigil. He angled
away from her, avoided the embrace, didn't acknowledge her calling
(21:24):
his name, just walked away. While at the vigil, Scott
called Amber, told her he was in Paris celebrating New
Year's Eve with friends. Could hear fireworks in the background,
Except Scott wasn't in Paris, He was at Lacey's vigil
in Modesto. The fireworks. Amber heard the candlelight ceremony, music,
(21:47):
prayers for Lacey. Scott lied to his mistress while standing
at his wife's vigil. Make it Make Sense. January sixth
two thousand and three, Scott called Amber, told her he
was in Brussels business trip, missing her, wished he could
be with her. Scott was in Modesto at his warehouse.
Police had him under surveillance, knew exactly where he was
(22:11):
and he wasn't in Brussels. Throughout January, Scott continued calling Amber,
telling her he loved her, that he was traveling, that
he'd be back soon, that they'd be together, that his
wife dying was the hardest thing he'd ever gone through,
but meeting Amber gave him hope. Amber played along, asked questions,
let Scott talk, recorded everything. Meanwhile, the search for Lacey intensified.
(22:36):
Volunteers combed parks fields, waterways, bloodhounds, dive teams, helicopters, equisearch.
Texas based nonprofit sent teams to Modesto. Massive effort, nothing found.
January fifteenth, two thousand and three, detectives told Lacey's family
about the affair. Sharon, Ron and Brent were devastated. Sharon
(22:57):
later testified she immediately believed Scott killed Lacey. If he
could lie about that, he could lie about anything. The
family confronted Scott, He admitted the affair, said it was
a mistake, said it had nothing to do with Lacey's disappearance,
said he still loved Lacey, still wanted to find her,
(23:19):
but the damage was done. The family stopped publicly supporting Scott,
started cooperating fully with police. Gave interviews saying they believed
Scott was involved. January twenty fourth, two thousand and three,
Modesto Police held a press conference. Amber Fray stood at
the podium, flanked by her attorney, Gloria Allread, shaking, nervous, terrified,
(23:43):
She read a prepared statement. I met Scott Peterson November twentieth,
two thousand and two. I was introduced to him as
an unmarried man. He told me he was not married.
We started a romantic relationship. On December ninth, he told
me he had lost his wife. This would be the
first holiday without her. When I discovered he was involved
with Lacy Peterson's disappearance, I immediately contacted the Modesto Police Department.
(24:09):
The press conference was broadcast live. National News America rerupted
Scott Peterson had a mistress. He'd been lying. He told
Amber his wife was dead before she actually disappeared. This
was the smoking gun. Cable news replayed Amber's statement endlessly.
(24:38):
Nancy Grace called Scott a monster. Legal experts said the
affair proved motive. Public opinion turned completely against Scott guilty.
Everyone knew it. Scott's defense attorneys tried damage control, said
the affair was irrelevant, didn't prove murder. Lots of men cheat,
doesn't make them killers, but America wasn't buying it. The
(24:59):
recorded phone, the lies, the behavior, the timeline all pointed
to one conclusion. Scott Peterson killed his pregnant wife to
be with his mistress. March fifth, two thousand and three,
Modesto police officially reclassified Lacey's disappearance as a homicide investigation.
She wasn't missing, she was dead, and Scott was the
(25:21):
prime suspect. The search continued, waterways, fields, landfills. Nothing. Lacey's
body was still missing, Connor's body missing. No physical evidence,
no crime scene, no witnesses, no confession, Just circumstantial evidence.
The affair, the lies, the behavior, the financial motive, the timeline,
(25:42):
the cement anchors, the searches for San Francisco Bay, Scott's
refusal to cooperate fully. Prosecutors believed they could convict Scott
without a body. Circumstantial cases had succeeded before. They just
needed Lacey to be found, needed proof she was dead,
needed the bodies, and in April two thousand and three,
they got their wish. That's part one of Scott and
(26:07):
Lacy Peterson. December twenty fourth, two thousand and two, Lacey disappeared.
Scott claimed he went fishing ninety miles away, came home
to empty house, called police hours later. But Scott had
secrets an affair with Amber Frey. Told her he was single,
told her December ninth, two weeks before Lacey vanished, that
(26:29):
his wife was dead, that he was a widower. December thirtieth,
Amber saw news coverage, realized Scott lied, called police, started
recording their conversations. Twenty nine hours of recorded calls, Scott
lying about being in Paris, in Brussels, traveling internationally, all
(26:50):
while at Lacey's vigils, while police searched for his missing,
pregnant wife. January twenty fourth, two thousand and three, Amberfrey
held press conference, revealed the affair America exploded, Scott Peterson's
credibility destroyed. March two thousand and three, case reclassified as homicide.
(27:11):
Lacey presumed dead, but still no body no evidence, no
crime scene. Tomorrow Part two, April thirteenth, two thousand and three,
the body of a fetus washes ashore in San Francisco Bay,
one mile from where Scott went fishing. The next day
Lacey's body, Scott arrested, the trial, the conviction, death penalty,
(27:32):
and where Scott Peterson is today, still claiming innocence. Rest
in peace, Lacey. Someone has to say your name. I'm
Reed Carter. This is celebrity trials.
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