The Laci Peterson case is shocking enough, but American Murder also sheds light on an alarming statistic that remains relevant in the US today – that of pregnant women.
Despite his ongoing efforts for a retrial, Scott Peterson continues to be incarcerated for the 2002 killing of his wife Laci and their unborn child Conner. Though he was initially sentenced to death in 2005, his punishment was later commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in 2021.
The new true crime series, American Murder: Laci Peterson, delves into the case with extensive coverage, including interviews with Modesto detectives who led the investigation, Laci’s loved ones, and various members of Scott’s family.
From a statistical standpoint, when a woman goes missing, her spouse or partner is often the primary suspect. However, this risk is heightened when the victim is pregnant.
In American Murder Episode 3, Sharon Hagan, a criminal investigative profiler, emphasizes the alarming statistic.
“According to the speaker, individuals who are low-risk victims like Laci, who tend to lead a secluded lifestyle with a small social circle, are most at risk of harm from their intimate partners.”
Pregnancy greatly increases the likelihood of victimization for women, as supported by the statistics on homicide. In fact, it is the leading cause of death for pregnant women.
In 2022, a report was released on the subject, with findings from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health indicating that pregnant or recently postpartum American women face a higher risk of being killed than dying from pregnancy-related complications.
According to a report from postdoctoral researcher Rebecca Lawn and professor Karestan Koenen, a combination of intimate partner violence and firearms is responsible for the majority of pregnancy-related homicides in the US from 2009 to 2019, with 68% involving the use of guns.
Skye Borgman, director of American Murder, shared her reasoning behind including this detail in the film in an interview with Netflix, stating, “There’s a statistic that never fails to shock me – homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women.”
Despite the constant disbelief from others, I stand firm in my belief that what I say is true. It’s easy for us to overlook the severity of intimate partner violence. It’s a daunting issue that I hope will leave a lasting impression on those who read this. My goal is for people to contemplate it on a deeper level.
When discussing her decision to focus on the Peterson case, the filmmaker explained, “I have a strong interest in women’s issues. While these issues may also affect men, they hold a particular significance for women. They are always a top priority for me.”
In this specific instance, I believe that Laci, and to some extent Conner, have been somewhat overshadowed by other stories, and it was important to me for Laci to be at the forefront of this narrative.
You can now watch American Murder: Laci Peterson on Netflix.
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