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CNN Saturday Morning News

Missing Pregnant Women

Aired January 04, 2003 - 09:02   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.


JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: Well, turning to our top story, it's been 11 days now since a 27-year-old pregnant woman was reported missing in Modesto, California. The more time passes, the more hope of finding her alive fades.
CNN's Ed Lavandera joins us now from Modesto with the latest. Good morning, Ed. What can you tell us?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.

Well, family here of Laci Peterson are still holding out hope that they will find her alive, but in the meantime, the investigation continues here full throttle (UNINTELLIGIBLE), investigators and police officers here in Modesto clearly working through the weekend. In fact, we understand there are several meetings scheduled between investigators as they continue to pursue all of the leads and tips that have been coming into.

We have also learned that Scott Peterson, Laci's husband, met yesterday with investigators. We're hoping to get some more information, perhaps, as to some (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- a few more details as to what happened in that meeting. Of course, not make too much of that, that has been pretty typical. Apparently he has met several times with authorities, although police have characterized his cooperation as -- that he has cooperated but only to a certain degree, to use the words of the officers here.

Meantime, there have been about 1,400 tips that have been called in to authorities here. They're -- police describe them as some being helpful, some being not helpful enough. But on that part, the investigation continues, and they're hoping that people continue to call in.

And as you mentioned just a moment ago, John, investigators tried to piece together the whereabouts of where Laci's husband was between December 23 and December 25. So if anyone saw him, his truck, or his boat during those days, of course, they continue to urge people to call.

Meantime, the family joined "LARRY KING LIVE" show last night here on CNN and clearly demonstrating once again to everyone and urging people to continue the search. And the family once again voicing their support for each other and hoping -- and holding out all hope they will still find Laci alive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LARRY KING LIVE") BRENT ROCHA, LACI'S BROTHER: I feel that she's still here, she's still with us. More importantly, if whoever has Laci, and they get to know her, they're going to understand what a great person she is. If anyone can hang in there, Laci's strong. She can win over her captor. I really think she is still with us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: Authorities here say they will continue their search. In fact, the search for Laci Peterson has been extended out into the surrounding counties around Modesto. We also understand dive teams have been working creeks, rivers, and bodies of water in the area as well. So that's another part of the investigation that continues as well, John.

VAUSE: Ed, Modesto, California, linked to the Levy case. What is this town going through? And what, how -- and what is the reaction from the locals? You said -- you mentioned earlier they're coming out, they're having these vigils, and they're taking part in the search. But what's the sort of emotional reaction, I guess, if you like?

LAVANDERA: Well, you know, there's a quote from Susan Levy in the "Modesto Bee" newspaper here this morning, where she talks about how devastating this is once again for the community to have to go through. But again, a lot of folks in this town coming out in support of this family. The command center that serves as, like, the headquarters for all of the volunteers constantly busy, people folding up flyers and passing out pictures and helping the family through this.

So clear demonstration of just how much the support this family has here in this town.

VAUSE: CNN's Ed Lavandera reporting for us live from Modesto, California. Thank you, Ed.

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 January 4, 2003 - 09:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: Well, turning to our top story, it's been 11 days now since a 27-year-old pregnant woman was reported missing in Modesto, California. The more time passes, the more hope of finding her alive fades.
CNN's Ed Lavandera joins us now from Modesto with the latest. Good morning, Ed. What can you tell us?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.

Well, family here of Laci Peterson are still holding out hope that they will find her alive, but in the meantime, the investigation continues here full throttle (UNINTELLIGIBLE), investigators and police officers here in Modesto clearly working through the weekend. In fact, we understand there are several meetings scheduled between investigators as they continue to pursue all of the leads and tips that have been coming into.

We have also learned that Scott Peterson, Laci's husband, met yesterday with investigators. We're hoping to get some more information, perhaps, as to some (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- a few more details as to what happened in that meeting. Of course, not make too much of that, that has been pretty typical. Apparently he has met several times with authorities, although police have characterized his cooperation as -- that he has cooperated but only to a certain degree, to use the words of the officers here.

Meantime, there have been about 1,400 tips that have been called in to authorities here. They're -- police describe them as some being helpful, some being not helpful enough. But on that part, the investigation continues, and they're hoping that people continue to call in.

And as you mentioned just a moment ago, John, investigators tried to piece together the whereabouts of where Laci's husband was between December 23 and December 25. So if anyone saw him, his truck, or his boat during those days, of course, they continue to urge people to call.

Meantime, the family joined "LARRY KING LIVE" show last night here on CNN and clearly demonstrating once again to everyone and urging people to continue the search. And the family once again voicing their support for each other and hoping -- and holding out all hope they will still find Laci alive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LARRY KING LIVE") BRENT ROCHA, LACI'S BROTHER: I feel that she's still here, she's still with us. More importantly, if whoever has Laci, and they get to know her, they're going to understand what a great person she is. If anyone can hang in there, Laci's strong. She can win over her captor. I really think she is still with us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: Authorities here say they will continue their search. In fact, the search for Laci Peterson has been extended out into the surrounding counties around Modesto. We also understand dive teams have been working creeks, rivers, and bodies of water in the area as well. So that's another part of the investigation that continues as well, John.

VAUSE: Ed, Modesto, California, linked to the Levy case. What is this town going through? And what, how -- and what is the reaction from the locals? You said -- you mentioned earlier they're coming out, they're having these vigils, and they're taking part in the search. But what's the sort of emotional reaction, I guess, if you like?

LAVANDERA: Well, you know, there's a quote from Susan Levy in the "Modesto Bee" newspaper here this morning, where she talks about how devastating this is once again for the community to have to go through. But again, a lot of folks in this town coming out in support of this family. The command center that serves as, like, the headquarters for all of the volunteers constantly busy, people folding up flyers and passing out pictures and helping the family through this.

So clear demonstration of just how much the support this family has here in this town.

VAUSE: CNN's Ed Lavandera reporting for us live from Modesto, California. Thank you, Ed.

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