Podcast Summary: Clues with Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore
Episode Title: Laci Peterson | Clues
Release Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Clues features hosts Morgan Absher and Kaylyn Moore as they revisit the infamous 2002 Laci Peterson murder case. The pair undertake a meticulous, evidence-focused examination, exploring both the prosecution’s and defense’s main arguments. Their approach: break down how a wandering dog, a secret boat, and a mistress’s brave confession brought the case to the nation’s attention—and how lingering questions have fueled decades of debate surrounding Scott Peterson’s guilt or innocence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Was Laci Peterson?

• [08:13]

• Laci Rocha Peterson was born in 1975 in Modesto, California.
• Known as “just happy to be where she is and who she is. Just so sure of herself.” (Morgan, quoting SFGate, 08:46)
• Married Scott Peterson in 1997. Described as "an absolutely gorgeous bride."
• Dreamed of motherhood; by 2002, she was eight months pregnant with their son.

2. The Timeline Leading Up to Laci’s Disappearance

• [10:55]

• December 14, 2002: Laci attends a Christmas party alone; Scott claims to be on a business trip.
• December 23: She and Scott attend a doctor's appointment, visit her sister Amy; later calls her mom to confirm Christmas Eve plans.
• December 24: According to Scott, he leaves at 9:30am for a solo fishing trip at Berkeley Marina—something he later admits after originally claiming he went golfing.

Scott’s Alibi Under Scrutiny

• [12:11 - 15:14]

• Scott tells multiple people he went golfing; later admits to going to the marina, alone, in a boat his family didn’t know he owned.
• Short time on water (about 30-45 minutes), according to ticket and voicemail timestamps. (See [13:36] for the “Hey beautiful, I just left you a message at home…” voicemail).
• The marina is over 80 miles (2.5 hours) from the Peterson home.

“So he made a five hour round trip journey to be on the water for about 30 minutes…on Christmas Eve.” (Kaylyn, 15:08)

3. Discovery Lacy Was Missing

• [16:49]

• Neighbor finds Peterson’s dog, Mackenzie, wandering with leash.
• Scott comes home around 4:45pm, showers, washes his clothes, and eats before calling Laci’s mother at 5:15pm to say Laci is missing.
• Laci’s family is immediately concerned, unlike Scott, who seems detached and calm.

4. The Affair and a Break in the Case

• [19:26]

• Scott was involved with Amber Frey, who knew nothing of his marriage.
• Scott told Amber his wife was “dead” before Laci disappeared.
• Amber later cooperates with police, making recorded calls to Scott.

“Amber mentioned that on December 23, Scott had actually called her and talked about wanting to go get a vasectomy…seeing an image of his almost fully formed son [at a doctor’s appointment].” (Kaylyn, 21:16)

• Scott’s suspicious behavior: trying to sell the house and Laci’s car, turning the nursery into storage, subscribing to multiple explicit TV channels days after Laci vanished ([24:46] onward).

5. The Investigation: Concrete Clues and a Secret Boat

• [35:50 - 46:17]

• Scott bought a small boat in cash, kept it secret from family; claimed December 24 was its first use.
• Investigators find two strands of Laci’s hair wrapped in pliers on the boat ([37:01]).

“Finding her hair wrapped up in the pliers, I find it really hard to think…it’s from any other reason but using those as a way to tie weights to her...” (Morgan, 74:45)

• Cement dust and multiple indentations in the warehouse indicate several anchors were made; only one is found.
• Argument that anchor size, lack of rope on the boat, and the marina’s conditions suggest intent to weigh down a body.

6. Bodies Discovered and Arrest

• [30:57, 33:24]

• In April 2003, the bodies of Laci and Connor are found washed ashore, near Berkeley Marina where Scott was fishing.
• Autopsy reveals lack of definitive trauma, but Laci’s head/limbs missing; evidence of duct tape, cracked ribs, and torn umbilical cord.
• Scott arrested with $15,000 cash, multiple cell phones, survival/camping gear, Viagra, and his brother’s ID.
• He gives evasive explanations for these items:

“He was found with nearly $15,000 in cash. He was found with a lot of Viagra on him, about 100 sleeping pills. He had camping and survival equipment, several changes of clothes, four cell phones and two driver's licenses.” (Kaelyn, 34:13)

7. Forensic and Behavioral Evidence

• GPS tracking shows Scott returning to the Marina several times in various rented vehicles, but only staying for minutes at a time ([53:24-54:52]).
• Prosecution suggests he was checking to see if the bodies had surfaced.

“To me, it really seems like Scott wasn’t this worried husband searching for his wife. It goes back to he knew where they were and he was making sure that they didn’t surface.” (Morgan, 58:53)

• Search history reveals prior research about tides and fishing—potentially to plan body disposal ([49:28]).

8. Defense Arguments & Ongoing Doubts

• [60:39 - 73:00]

• Innocence Project of LA (LAIP) now assisting Scott’s appeal. Defense points:
  • Eyewitnesses claim to have seen Laci walking the dog after Scott left.
  • Medina family robbery across the street (possibly connected timing).
  • A suspicious blood-stained van found and not DNA tested.
  • Discrepancies in pawned jewelry and life insurance.
• A controversial re-enactment sought to show it was impossible to dump a body from Scott’s boat, but was discounted due to it using the wrong boat; the defense declined to recreate it with the actual evidence boat ([71:08-72:14]).

9. Conviction and Aftermath

• In 2004, Scott convicted of first-degree murder (Laci) and second-degree murder (Connor); sentenced to death, later changed to life without parole after appellate review found jury selection issues ([60:07]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Close your eyes, exhale, feel your body. Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts…” (Morgan, joking amidst the episode’s tension, 15:18)
• “Finding her hair wrapped up in the pliers, I find it really hard to think it’s from any other reason but using those as a way to tie weights to her.” (Morgan, 74:45)
• “Turning Connor’s room into a storage unit…just…to me, comes across as someone who not only knows that his family’s not coming back, but doesn’t want them to come back.” (Kaylyn, 75:05)
• “I want to see it all. I mean, where are the holes for you in this case? Are there clues we didn’t touch on that you’re like, that’s what convinced me?” (Morgan, 75:41)
• “Lacey was this deeply caring person, who without a doubt would have made an amazing mother. And to me, it really shows what a remarkable person she was, because even after her death, Lacey was…able to advocate for her own child, but for so many others.” (Morgan, 76:16)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [08:13] Laci Peterson’s early life and marriage to Scott
• [10:55] The days before Laci’s disappearance and Scott’s initial alibi
• [12:11-15:14] Timeline problems, Scott’s suspicious behavior
• [19:26] Amber Frey’s discovery and cooperation with police
• [24:46] Scott’s post-disappearance behavior (selling house/cars, cable subscription)
• [30:57] Bodies discovered; details from autopsy report
• [33:24] Scott’s arrest—contents of his car and physical transformation
• [37:01] Forensic clue: Laci’s hair found on boat pliers
• [41:02-46:17] Cement anchor evidence and DIY anchor analysis
• [53:24] GPS tracking revelations and Scott’s repeated return to the crime scene
• [60:39-63:52] Defense and Innocence Project arguments; alternative theories
• [71:08-73:00] Defense’s recreation video debate and why it was not submitted

Tone & Language

Morgan and Kaylyn maintain a conversational, detail-oriented, and respectful tone throughout, layering empathy for the victims with skepticism toward suspect behaviors and prosecutorial missteps. They sprinkle in moments of lightness, like wedding dress anecdotes, but never lose sight of the gravity of the case.

Closing Reflections & Impact

• The episode ends with a look at Laci’s broader legacy via the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (“Laci and Connor’s Law”).
• A sobering statistic from a 2022 Harvard study: homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women in the US.
• “Justice isn’t always as clear cut as we would like…but what remains undeniable is the profound loss felt by Laci’s family…” (Kaylyn, 77:48)

For Further Discussion

The hosts invite listeners to share what piece of evidence convinced them most—or least—of Scott Peterson’s guilt, and which clues they feel don’t fit. They stress the importance of community dialogue and signal openness to revisiting controversial or developing cases as new evidence or legal outcomes emerge.

Overall, the episode provides a comprehensive, accessible, and balanced analysis of the Laci Peterson case, highlighting not just notorious crime details but systemic questions that still shape how true crime is understood.