People often search for names from the past when a big true crime case resurfaces in the news. It’s natural. You see a headline about the Los Angeles Innocence Project taking on Scott Peterson’s case, and suddenly you’re wondering about the family members who sat behind him in that courtroom decades ago. Specifically, many are asking: is Lee Peterson still alive?
The short answer is no. Lee Peterson, the father of Scott Peterson, passed away in November 2024.
He was a man who became a fixture of 24-hour news cycles during one of the most publicized trials in American history. For years, he and his wife Jackie were the faces of parental devotion, or—depending on who you asked at the time—the faces of denial. But beyond the courthouse steps and the flashing cameras of the early 2000s, Lee Peterson lived a long life that ended quietly, far from the spectacle that once defined his family name.
The Passing of Lee Peterson
Lee Peterson died on November 19, 2024. He was 85 years old.
The news didn't break as a massive tabloid headline initially. Instead, it came through a heartfelt social media post from his daughter-in-law, Janey Peterson. She shared that the family had said their "tender goodbyes" to the man they called "Pops." It was a stark contrast to the chaotic media scrums of 2003 and 2004.
Lee had been living in California, and according to family reports, he passed away peacefully. His death followed that of his wife, Jackie Peterson, who died of cancer in 2013. For those who followed the trial of Laci Peterson’s murder, Lee and Jackie were inseparable. They spent their life savings and their remaining years fighting for their son's freedom.
A Life Before the Trial
It is easy to forget that Lee Peterson had a whole existence before the Modesto police ever knocked on his door. He wasn't just "the father of Scott Peterson."
Lee was a businessman. He owned a successful packaging company in San Diego. He was a veteran, having served in the military, and by most accounts from those who knew him in Solana Beach, he was a hard-working, relatively quiet guy. He and Jackie raised a blended family. Scott was their only child together, but Lee had children from a previous marriage, and so did Jackie.
Then came Christmas Eve, 2002.
When Laci Peterson went missing, Lee’s life effectively stopped being about business or retirement. He became a primary financier and emotional anchor for Scott’s defense. He was the one often seen walking into the San Mateo County Superior Court, face set in a grim mask, shielding Jackie from the press.
The Stance That Never Wavered
What most people remember about Lee Peterson was his absolute, iron-clad belief in his son’s innocence. Even when the evidence—circumstantial as it was—piled up. Even when Amber Frey took the stand. Even when the jury returned a verdict of death.
Lee didn't budge.
He famously spoke out about the "lynch mob" mentality of the media. He felt the Modesto police had tunnel vision from day one. To Lee, Scott was a victim of a system that needed a villain, and he never stopped believing that the real killer of Laci and her unborn son, Conner, was still out there.
Honestly, it’s a heavy burden to carry for twenty years. Whether you believe Scott Peterson is guilty or innocent, the toll on Lee was visible. By the time he appeared in the 2017 A&E documentary The Murder of Laci Peterson, he looked weary. But the conviction in his voice was the same. He was a father. He was going to defend his son until his last breath. And he basically did.
Who Else Are People Looking For?
Because "Lee Peterson" is a common name, there is often confusion. If you are looking for information and seeing conflicting reports, it's usually because of these three people:
- Jesse Lee Peterson: A well-known conservative commentator and minister. He is very much alive and active in 2026.
- H. Lee Peterson: A prominent film editor who worked on Disney classics like Aladdin and Pocahontas. He is also still active in the industry.
- Lee Peterson (The Philanthropist): There was a very well-known Lee Peterson in Sarasota, Florida, who was a massive supporter of the arts and mental health advocacy. She passed away in 2017 at the age of 90.
But the Lee Peterson associated with the Scott Peterson case is the one who passed in late 2024.
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The Legacy Left Behind
Lee Peterson’s death marks the end of an era for the Peterson family’s legal battles. With both parents now gone, the mantle of Scott’s defense has largely been taken up by Janey Peterson, his sister-in-law.
Janey actually went to law school specifically to help with Scott's appeals. She has been the driving force behind getting the Los Angeles Innocence Project involved, focusing on DNA evidence from a van fire near the Peterson home and other leads they claim were never properly investigated.
Lee didn't live to see the results of this latest push. He died while Scott remains in prison, now serving life without parole after his death sentence was overturned in 2020.
What to Keep in Mind
If you are following this story or researching the family, here are the core facts to remember:
- Lee Peterson died in November 2024 at age 85.
- He remained a staunch supporter of Scott Peterson until his death.
- He was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie, in 2013.
- The current legal push for Scott Peterson is being led by other family members and the LA Innocence Project.
The story of the Peterson family is a tragedy with multiple layers. There is the loss of Laci and Conner, which remains the heart of the matter for the Rocha family. And then there is the slow, decades-long dissolution of the Peterson family as they aged and died while fighting a legal battle that has never truly ended. Lee Peterson's death is the latest chapter in that long, complicated history.
To stay updated on the legal proceedings involving the Peterson case, you can follow the official filings from the San Mateo County Superior Court or monitor the latest updates from the Los Angeles Innocence Project regarding the testing of new evidence.