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Searchers Still Looking for Peterson

Aired December 31, 2002 - 14:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Where is Laci Peterson? That answer could be worth a half million dollars in reward money now, but that's not why hundreds of volunteers are joining police in the search for the pregnant Modesto, California woman who went missing on Christmas Eve.
The latest now from CNN's Rusty Dornin -- Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, this community is really reeling from the disappearance of Laci Peterson. She was a vibrant part of that community. As you said, no big breaks so far in this case. There are a few leads that may or may not have had to do with her disappearance. One of them they are following up on is a burglary that was in her neighborhood, where Laci and Scott Peterson lived across the street, around Christmas Eve. Police are now working on the description of three suspects. There will be a $1,000 reward for any information about those suspects. Also, another mysterious lead is that the bloodhound that was put on this case -- apparently, they believe Laci Peterson took her dog for a walk in the park.

But the bloodhound used in this case, didn't go to the park. He instead led his handlers to the San Joaquin River. Now, his handler believes that Laci Peterson may have gotten into a car, and may not have gone to the park at all.

Now, of course, the search continues around the clock in the farmlands and rural areas surrounding Modesto. Laci Peterson disappeared one week ago, and for the families of missing persons, that first week anniversary can be excruciating.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF ROY WASDEN, MODESTO POLICE: This is a loving family. So, as we work through the investigation, it will take us where it takes us, and we'll just have to go those directions. This is a loving family that's had their life shattered by this disappearance, and we're doing everything we can to get this solved and come to a resolution. We'd love to find Laci alive and get her back with her family. If not, we're determined to find out what happened.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: Another lead is that police are looking at a tape from a sporting goods store in the area. A clerk there claims that they knew Laci Peterson, they saw her on Christmas Eve, so police have been going over that tape in hopes of finding any evidence that she was in that store. Meantime, of course, the volunteers continue. There is the half million dollar reward, and there will be a candlelight vigil this afternoon at 4:30 Pacific for Laci Peterson -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Live in San Francisco, Rusty Dornin, thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired December 31, 2002 - 14:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Where is Laci Peterson? That answer could be worth a half million dollars in reward money now, but that's not why hundreds of volunteers are joining police in the search for the pregnant Modesto, California woman who went missing on Christmas Eve.
The latest now from CNN's Rusty Dornin -- Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, this community is really reeling from the disappearance of Laci Peterson. She was a vibrant part of that community. As you said, no big breaks so far in this case. There are a few leads that may or may not have had to do with her disappearance. One of them they are following up on is a burglary that was in her neighborhood, where Laci and Scott Peterson lived across the street, around Christmas Eve. Police are now working on the description of three suspects. There will be a $1,000 reward for any information about those suspects. Also, another mysterious lead is that the bloodhound that was put on this case -- apparently, they believe Laci Peterson took her dog for a walk in the park.

But the bloodhound used in this case, didn't go to the park. He instead led his handlers to the San Joaquin River. Now, his handler believes that Laci Peterson may have gotten into a car, and may not have gone to the park at all.

Now, of course, the search continues around the clock in the farmlands and rural areas surrounding Modesto. Laci Peterson disappeared one week ago, and for the families of missing persons, that first week anniversary can be excruciating.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF ROY WASDEN, MODESTO POLICE: This is a loving family. So, as we work through the investigation, it will take us where it takes us, and we'll just have to go those directions. This is a loving family that's had their life shattered by this disappearance, and we're doing everything we can to get this solved and come to a resolution. We'd love to find Laci alive and get her back with her family. If not, we're determined to find out what happened.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: Another lead is that police are looking at a tape from a sporting goods store in the area. A clerk there claims that they knew Laci Peterson, they saw her on Christmas Eve, so police have been going over that tape in hopes of finding any evidence that she was in that store. Meantime, of course, the volunteers continue. There is the half million dollar reward, and there will be a candlelight vigil this afternoon at 4:30 Pacific for Laci Peterson -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Live in San Francisco, Rusty Dornin, thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com