Reward For Missing Woman Jumps To $500K
Anonymous Donor Writes $375,000 Check
POSTED: 9:21 am PST December 27,
2002
UPDATED: 9:31 am PST December 29,
2002
MODESTO, Calif. -- The reward for a missing pregnant Modesto women grew to $500,000 Saturday following a large donation from a man who asked to remain anonymous.
The man reportedly wrote a check for $375,000, quadrupling the reward for information leading to the safe return of Laci Peterson, 27, who disappeared while walking her dog on the morning of Christmas Eve.
Authorities said the FBI has joined in the search for Peterson Friday, who was reported missing Tuesday evening when her husband, Scott, returned home from a fishing trip in the Bay Area.Investigators have combed the Peterson residence looking for clues."They took both cars ... they've taken them and will be processing them for any possible evidence. They also took a couple computers ... they'll do a forensic investigation on the computers as well," Modesto Police Department Det. Doug Ridenour said.Police said Scott Peterson told them his wife, who is eight months pregnant, planned to walk her dog in nearby Dry Creek Park and go grocery shopping when she vanished.Authorities have used dogs, horses, helicopters and rafts in the search, but have come up empty.The husband (pictured, below right) said after returning from his fishing trip, he tried to call his wife's cell phone, but was not able to reach her, and that he found her purse in the house and her car in the driveway.
The dog was found earlier and returned by a neighbor. Police said the leash was still attached to the dog's collar.Police concentrated their search Saturday on western Stanislaus County.
The missing woman's mother made an emotional plea Friday for her daughter's return."If you have Laci, please let her go. Take her to a hospital or call the police or call an ambulance, but let her go ... let her come home. Laci, we love you, we're looking for you, we're going to find you baby, we're coming," Peterson's mother Sharon Rocha said.Police said a search warrant was served Friday at a warehouse used by Scott Peterson's business and his fishing boat was seized, but said they don't consider him a suspect.Anyone with information is urged to contact the Modesto Police Department at (209) 342-6166. 
Missing Woman Description
The man reportedly wrote a check for $375,000, quadrupling the reward for information leading to the safe return of Laci Peterson, 27, who disappeared while walking her dog on the morning of Christmas Eve.|
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The dog was found earlier and returned by a neighbor. Police said the leash was still attached to the dog's collar.Police concentrated their search Saturday on western Stanislaus County. | Video |
Missing Woman Description Previous Story:
- December 26, 2002: Search Intensifies For Missing Modesto Woman
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