Chandra Levy all over again?

[Kay Scarpetta]

Well, here we go again, guys. Kind of scary, how it's the same town as Chandra. Got this article from AOL...



MODESTO, Calif. (Jan. 4) - The yellow ribbons. The news trucks. The fears for the worst.

Chandra Levy's hometown has been through it all before. With the disappearance of Laci Peterson - eight months pregnant and gone since Christmas Eve - this Central California town is once again at the center of a missing person case that has captured the attention of the nation.

In May 2001, the 24-year-old Levy disappeared in Washington, D.C., triggering speculation about her relationship with Democratic Rep. Gary Condit and his possible role in her disappearance.

One year later, Levy's body was found in a Washington D.C. park, but police have made no arrests. Condit lost a bid for re-election last year.

Modesto also served as command center in the February 1999 disappearance of three women who vanished while visiting Yosemite National Park. Five weeks later, authorities found Carole Sund, 43, her daughter, Juli, 15, and Argentina exchange student Silvina Pelosso, 16, murdered in nearby foothills. Last year, a jury convicted motel handyman Cary Stayner and gave him a death sentence.

This time, the 186,000 residents hope things will turn out differently even though police - scouring neighborhoods, creeks and irrigation canals for Peterson - have so far come up empty.

Volunteers have been undaunted. For 10 days, they have taken over a suite at the Red Lion Hotel, coordinating distribution of thousands of fliers and receiving supportive e-mails from across the nation.

``The more exposure they get the more chances there is she'll come home safe,'' said Dave Montgomery, a Folsom resident who drove nearly 90 miles to pick up fliers to post in suburban Sacramento.

Kevin Jaeger, of Oklahoma City, also drove from Sacramento for fliers to pass out in various towns along Interstate 40 as he flew his airplane around the area over the weekend.

``They haven't found out what actually happened to her,'' he said. ``This way it gets out on the road.''

While many believe Peterson may still be missing, police are looking into the potential alleged role of her 30-year-old husband, Scott, in her disappearance. He has not been declared a suspect, nor has he been ruled out.

Police said Scott Peterson has cooperated ``to some degree,'' but declined to confirm whether he has an attorney.

Family members vigorously defend Peterson, a San Diego native who met his wife at California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo and married her five years ago. Both majored in agriculture.

After reporters' bruising questions to police this week about Peterson, Laci Peterson's mother, Sharon Rocha, said, ``We feel Scott has nothing to do with it.''

Joan Pernicano of San Diego, a longtime friend of Peterson's family, said, ``It breaks my heart to see what he's going through right now. I know Scott. There's no way.''

Peterson said he last saw his wife about 9:30 a.m. Dec. 24. He told police she planned to take their dog, McKenzie, for a walk at nearby East La Loma Park. Peterson said he left that morning to fish in San Francisco Bay on Christmas Eve, launching his small boat from the Berkeley Marina. Peterson reported his wife missing when he returned to Modesto that evening.

There is little to bolster or knock down his story at the Marina, a tight-knit community where residents who live aboard boats gather at the bait shop for coffee, or at the boatyard to see whose craft is under repair.

Peterson has reportedly produced a receipt from the local boat launch, but the receipts come from a self-service machine and include only the time they were issued.

Weather records show the wind was light and favorable to small boats like Peterson's.

``That morning, the water was flat,'' said Roland Jeffery, a deck hand on charter boats who spent the morning fishing from the Marina pier.

[bandito]

very scary this world is sick at times

[dawsongirl]

The whole thing sounds suspicious for the hubby. But then I guess it always does.