Police end briefings on missing pregnant woman

No strong leads, but investigation continues

Police have not ruled out Scott Peterson, right, or anyone else close to Laci as a suspect in her disappearance.

Story Tools

VIDEO Volunteers are assisting authorities in northern California in the search for pregnant Laci Peterson, 27. CNN's Rusty Dornin reports (January 7) PLAY VIDEO RELATED • Laci Peterson Web site

MODESTO, California (CNN) -- Authorities searching for a pregnant woman missing since Christmas Eve said Tuesday that because there are so few details to report in the case, they will suspend daily briefings intended to keep the public informed.

"We maintain our focus on the case; we're going to continue with the investigation and the process we've taken in the last two weeks," Modesto police Detective Doug Ridenour said.

Also Tuesday, divers continued to search nearby Lake Tulloch for clues. Nothing has been found related to the case after three days of searching.

Police said they still have no strong leads in the disappearance of 27-year-old Laci Peterson, who is eight-and-a-half months pregnant. She was last reported seen the morning of Christmas Eve by her husband, who said he left the house to go on a solo fishing trip.

On Saturday, six dogs and six boats carrying investigators combed the Berkeley Marina and bay area, where Scott Peterson said he went fishing.

Also, Modesto city employees re-searched a park near the Petersons' home where Laci was planning to walk the dog the day she disappeared, and they opened all the manholes near the park and the home.

Scott Peterson, Laci's husband of five years, met with investigators Friday. Authorities have said he and anyone else close to Laci have not been ruled out as suspects. They refused to discuss Peterson during the news conference Tuesday.

Both Scott's and Laci's parents have said Scott had nothing to do with his wife's disappearance.

A police tip line has logged more than 1,600 calls. A $500,000 reward has been posted for her return. The baby, a boy, is due February 10.

Scott told police he left home December 24 for a fishing trip about 85 miles away, and he said his wife intended to walk their golden retriever and shop for items for dinner that evening.

According to a police news release, Scott said he came home that night and found the dog, with its leash on, in the back yard. A neighbor had found the dog earlier in the day, authorities said, and put it in the yard. Scott said Laci's purse was still in the house and that nothing had been disturbed.

Police said the last time another family member had contact with Laci was a telephone conversation the evening of December 23.

Police have released pictures and descriptions of Scott's bronze Ford F-150 pickup truck and 14-foot aluminum boat -- which were impounded and searched -- and asked anyone who had seen Scott, the truck or the boat between December 23 and 25 to contact authorities.

Police said they had verified that a receipt produced by Scott from a parking lot at the Berkeley Marina, where he said he had been, was legitimate. Authorities have also searched the couple's home, their vehicles and Scott's business.

Father guilty of killing 9 of his children • Helicopter crashes near U.N. • Arrest in Aruba missing girl case • FDA panel OKs drug aimed at blacks

CNN/Money: Security alert issued for 40 million credit cards • Bin Laden deputy sends message • U.S. House votes to keep U.N. dues • Iran poll to go to run-off