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Family
holds press conference in
La Loma Park near Laci's home
POSTED:
Wednesday, February 5, 2003 at 3:22 PM PST
UPDATED: Sunday, February 9, 2003 at 9:09 AM PST
by Gregg DesElms
MODESTO, CA -- The family of 27-year-old missing Modesto woman Laci Peterson, who disappeared on December 24, 2002,
held a press conference today in La Loma Park, near her home, to discuss her car and her house, and to announce
plans to conduct searches each weekend in February. It was family's first press conference since another more tearful
conference the family had on January 24, 2003, marking the one-month anniversary of Laci's disappearance.
Standing before a large banner bearing Laci's photograph and the words "MISSING, $500,000 REWARD," the
family read from brief, prepared statements, after which they ended the press conference and did not take any questions
from reporters.
Laci's step-father, Ron Grantski was first to step up to reporters' microphones. He made brief mention of what
a nice day it was and how much Laci enjoyed coming to that very park to walk her golden retriever, McKenzie, or
to just walk along the paths and enjoy the outdoors.
Members
of Laci Peterson's famly speak to reporters at a press conference in La Loma Park near Laci's home on Wednesday,
February 5, 2003. From left to right, Ron Grantski, Laci's step-father; Sharon Rocha, Laci's mother; and Brent
Rocha, Laci's older brother.
Photo
by ADRIAN MENDOZA
of The Modesto Bee |
Referring to press reports that Laci's husband, Scott Peterson, had recently traded-in her 1996 Land Rover SUV
on a white 2002 Dodge Ram pickup truck, Grantski stated that the family first learned of it when they drove past
Scott and Laci's home on Covena Avenue in Modesto and noticed that the SUV was gone and that the white pickup truck
was there in its place.
"...we saw the new truck there, and Laci's car was not there," he said. "So that's how we first
found out about the car." He continued, "Then we decided that if we found out differently, that we'd
go ahead and purchase the car. And the car was in Scott's name but thanks to Mr. Roberts, it's in the family's
hands now. And we're gonna' keep it until Laci comes home."
Grantski's written statement, handed to reporters after the press conference, differed slightly from what he actually
said. The statement said, "We thought that until we find out differently the car should be here for Laci so
she has something to drive. We know that the cars were in Scott's name, but thanks to Mr. Roberts it's in the family's
hands now."
Grantski was referring to recent press reports that Doug Roberts, of Roberts
Auto Sales
on McHenry Avenue in Modesto where Scott traded-in Laci's car for the pickup truck, had approached her family on
Tuesday, February 4, 2003 and had given them the vehicle. Roberts said he did so because he wanted Laci to have
the car when she came back.
Grantski then addressed recent press reports that Scott had been talking to a realtor to investigate the possiblity
of selling the home at 523 Covena Avenue.
"About the house," he said. "The house is in both names, Laci's and Scott's. I find it hard to believe
that he thought he could sell it without Laci's signature. Of course I find it hard to understand a lot of things
Scott has done, so why should this be any different?"
"He said since the first night that he wanted the focus to be on finding Laci, not on him," Grantski
continued, pausing with a sigh to help compose himself. "But with the things he's been saying and doing, the
focus is all on him."
Speaking directly to Scott, Grantski said, "If you want to change the focus, Scott, talk to the Modesto police.
End this circus."
Grantski then addressed the issue of the toll-free tip line (1-866-LACI-INFO) that Scott and his family set up
and first announced during the second part of his exclusive interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC's Good Morning America
prorgram on Tuesday, January 28, 2003.
"We've heard there's another tip line for information about Laci," he said. "The only tip line that
we support and encourage the public to use is the Modesto Police number which is (209) 342-6166, and the Laci Peterson
Web Site at www.lacipeterson.com"
Click
here for a story about
the 1-866-LACI-INFO tip line.
Grantski then addressed the matter of Laci's due date. She was 8 months pregnant when she disappeared on December
24, 2002. From the beginning, Laci's family has always said that February 10, 2003 was her due date. But in recent
television interviews, Scott and his family have used the date February 16, 2003.
"And one other thing," he said. "The baby is due on the 10th of February, which is this coming Monday.
We've confirmed that date. It's not the 16th... I know people have
been putting it in the paper and in the news that it's the 16th. The date has been confirmed, the 10th."
He then thanked reporters for their support, saying, "without you folks, um, who knows where we'd be."
Becoming slightly emotional, he continued, "But please understand that this is not the easiest time for us...
especially with the baby coming close... it's not that easy right now."
Grantski then told reporters that he would let Brent Rocha, Laci's older brother, talk. Brent approached the microphones
and began by saying that he was not going to talk about the car or the house; that he would leave that to Ron,
adding that he represents how everyone in the family feels. He then began reading from his statement.
"Thanks
for being here. We appreciate the media support. Laci's family and friends will be conducting searches during the
remaining Saturdays of the month of February.
"The first
search
will be held this Saturday, February 8th at 9 a.m. and will include a search of the Delta Mendota Canal. Volunteers,
friends, and family will meet at the Orchard Restaurant parking lot in Vernalis which is near
I-5 and Hwy 132.
"Other tentative locations on the following Saturdays may include searches of Lake Don Pedro on February 15th
and Lake Pardee on February 22nd.
"Additional information will be available on the lacipeterson.com web site.
"We would like to encourage volunteers to join in the searches for Laci. Where appropriate, we encourage searches
by boat, horseback, quads, bikes, etc. If you are unable to join us in any of these organized searches we still
ask that ranchers, farmers, property owners with acreage to search their land, any bodies of water, and any areas
surrounding their properties."
Brent then thanked
the reporters and ended the press conference. As he walked away from the microphone, one reporter asked, "Were
you angry at Scott for selling the car?" There was no reply. Instead, Kim Petersen, family spokesperson and
Executive Director of the Sund/Carrington Foundation told reporters how they could get written copies of Grantski's
and Brent's statements.
Detailed maps of, and directions to, the areas to be searched during the remaining Saturdays in February will be
available on this web site in the next day or so.
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