Cops Eye Hubby In Missing Wife Case

Police have told the family of Laci Peterson that her husband was having an extramarital affair and took out a large insurance policy on her life, a published report says. The 27-year-old pregnant woman has been missing since Christmas Eve.

As CBS affiliate KOVR's Gloria Gomez reports, sources say Laci's husband Scott has been seeing another woman. The girlfriend reportedly lives near Modesto in a neighboring city. It's unclear when the two met or how long the relationship has been going on, but the stunning news shut down the volunteer center for the first time since Laci's disappearance.

The Modesto Bee reported that police say Scott Peterson had taken out a $250,000 life insurance police on his wife shortly after she became pregnant last year. Detectives showed the missing woman's family photos of Scott Peterson and a woman they said he was having an affair with.

Investigators have been looking into Peterson's whereabouts on the day his wife dispappeared. Peterson told police he went fishing at the Berkeley Marina on Christmas Eve morning. That led police to search the marina waters, but they haven't turned up anything.

Police have not publicly identified him as a suspect -- but they say he's been less than cooperative.

Gomez found Peterson at his residence, but he would not confirm nor deny the affair. But he did say, "As long as it keeps people interested in the case, they can think anything they want. It's important to keep Laci's picture out there."

A family member interviewed by the Bee called his remarks "damage control."

"He's a cold and calculating type of guy. This is a guy who has to have all the nice stuff," the family member said.

Modesto residents are shocked to hear the Peterson's marriage maybe wasn't so perfect.

"It's disturbing because they are like the perfect looking couple. But you don't know what goes on behind closed doors either," Modesto resident Lisa Castro told KOVR.

Peterson had also left a note at a volunteer search center set up for his wife. It read:

"Volunteers:

As I see every person come through this door, or out searching, I tell Laci about them, looking for her. Early this morning, I felt she could hear me. She thanks you.

Laci's husband"

Volunteers had planned to open a one-day center in Los Angeles to extend the search from the Modesto area. But it's not clear if that will happen.

A spokeswoman for Laci Peterson's family says their goal has been "accomplished" -- and that was to get information about Laci to the public.

The Bee also reported that Peterson did not sit with family members at a New Year's Eve vigil held for his wife. Instead, he mingled with friends, laughing and smiling much of the time.