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Laci Peterson was a housewife and substitute teacher whose disappearance on Christmas Eve 2002 gripped the nation. As the weeks dragged on, suspicion began to fall on her husband, Scott Peterson. On April 18, 2003, the remains of Laci and her unborn son, Conner, whom she was due to deliver on February 10, washed up three miles from where Peterson said was fishing on Christmas Eve. Peterson, his hair dyed blonde, was arrested in San Diego with $15,000 in cash and a survival kit in the truck of his car; police speculated he was preparing to flee to Mexico. It was later learned he was having an affair with Amber Frey before and after Laci went missing, and had cheated on Laci throughout their marriage. The prosecution theorized he murdered Laci because he wanted to be rid of the impending responsibility of fatherhood. On November 12, 2004, despite the lack of any direct physical evidence, he was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances in the deaths of Laci and Conner. On March 16, 2005, Peterson was sentenced to death, and sent to San Quentin State Prison.

V.K. Ramasamy was born in 1926 in India. He was an actor and producer, known for Paayum Puli (1983), Rudhra Thaandavam (1978) and Vikram (1986). He died on 24 December 2002 in India.

Tita Merello was born on 11 October 1904 in Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina. She was an actress and writer, known for Los isleros (1951), Guacho (1954) and Cinco rostros de mujer (1947). She died on 24 December 2002 in Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina.

Jake Thackray was born on 27 February 1938 in Kirkstall, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK. He is known for Jake Thackray & Songs (1981), Jake on the Box (2006) and Meet the Richardsons (2020). He was married to Sheila Marian Clarke-Irons. He died on 24 December 2002 in Monmouth, Wales, UK.

Altair Lima was born on 8 July 1936 in Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil. He was an actor, known for O Morro dos Ventos Uivantes (1967), A Gata (1964) and Mandacaru (1997). He was married to Isabel Ribeiro and Maria Célia Camargo. He died on 24 December 2002 in Angatuba, São Paulo, Brazil.

Herb Hazelton was born on 23 January 1930. He was an art director, known for The Road to El Dorado (2000), Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) and He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword (1985). He died on 24 December 2002.

John Nesci was born on 7 October 1945 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for RoboCop 3 (1993), American Playhouse (1980) and The Big Blue (1988). He died on 24 December 2002 in Rome, Lazio, Italy.

Bob Maxwell was born on 26 June 1924 in Custer, Kentucky, USA. He was an actor, known for City Heat (1984) and Tough Guys (1986). He died on 24 December 2002 in Palm Springs, California, USA.

Kjell Aukrust was born on 19 March 1920 in Alvdal, Hedmark, Norway. He was a writer and assistant director, known for The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix (1975), Freske fraspark (1963) and Flåklypa Grand Prix (2000). He was married to Kari Aukrust. He died on 24 December 2002 in Alvdal, Hedemark, Norway.

Robert Alan Leader was born on 27 January 1935 in Warren, Minnesota, USA. He was an actor, known for My Three Sons (1960) and Dennis the Menace (1959). He died on 24 December 2002 in Santa Barbara, California, USA.

James Ferman was born on 11 April 1930 in New York, USA. He was a director and writer, known for Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965), Orson Welles Great Mysteries (1973) and The Wednesday Thriller (1965). He died on 24 December 2002 in London, England, UK.

Peter Pochlatko was born in 1933 in Vienna, Austria. He was a producer, known for Der Bulle & das Mädchen (1985), Coconuts (1985) and Malina (1991). He died on 24 December 2002 in Salo, Italy.

Tomás Henríquez was born on 21 December 1921 in Barlovento, Venezuela. He was an actor, known for Sangre azul (1979), Venezuela también canta (1952) and Estefanía (1979). He died on 24 December 2002 in Caracas, Venezuela.

Luciano Chailly was born on 18 January 1920 in Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Luciano was a composer, known for Luciano, una vita bruciata (1962). Luciano died on 24 December 2002 in Milan, Lombardy, Italy.

Laurence Evans was born on 3 March 1912 in Southport, Lancashire, England, UK. Laurence was a production manager, known for The Adventures of Tartu (1943), Henry V (1944) and Too Many Crooks (1930). Laurence died on 24 December 2002 in London, England, UK.

Gloria Van was born on 17 August 1920 in Ohio, USA. She was an actress, known for Windy City Jamboree (1950), The Little Revue (1949) and Wayne King (1949). She died on 24 December 2002 in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, USA.