The Unseen Battle: 5 Things Laci Peterson’s Mother, Sharon Rocha, Is Doing Today (2025 Update)

The name Sharon Rocha is inextricably linked to one of the most heartbreaking and widely publicized criminal cases in American history: the murder of her pregnant daughter, Laci Peterson, and unborn grandson, Conner Peterson. While the world remains fascinated by the legal twists and turns of Scott Peterson’s conviction, many wonder about the woman at the center of the tragedy. As of late 2024 and into 2025, Sharon Rocha has stepped back into the public eye, not just as a grieving mother, but as a formidable and tireless advocate for victims' rights, ensuring her daughter's legacy is one of change and justice. The latest updates confirm that Sharon Rocha continues to live a life dedicated to family and advocacy, primarily residing in Modesto, California, the same community where her daughter's life was tragically cut short. Her recent public statements and participation in a major Netflix docuseries demonstrate her ongoing commitment to honoring Laci and Conner, while also fighting for systemic changes to protect others. This article delves into where Sharon Rocha is today and the powerful work she is doing to transform her personal sorrow into a public force for good.

Sharon Rocha: A Life Defined by Advocacy and Resilience

Sharon Rocha is best known as the mother of Laci Peterson, but her life story is one of profound resilience, turning unimaginable personal tragedy into a lifelong mission for justice. Her unwavering presence throughout the initial investigation and the subsequent murder trial of her former son-in-law, Scott Peterson, cemented her place as a symbol of maternal strength and the voice of the victim.

Sharon Rocha Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Sharon Rocha
• Role: Mother of Laci Peterson, Grandmother of Conner Peterson
• Estimated Age: Early 70s (around 72 as of recent interviews)
• Residence: Modesto, California
• Former Spouse: Dennis Rocha
• Daughter: Laci Denise Peterson (1975–2002)
• Grandson: Conner Peterson (Unborn)
• Key Public Role: National Crime Victim Service Award Recipient and Victims' Rights Advocate
• Notable Work: Collaborating with the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office to author new victims' rights laws in California.

Rocha’s public life began in the shadow of the 2002 disappearance of her daughter, Laci, who was eight months pregnant at the time. The case drew worldwide media attention, forcing Rocha and her family into an unwelcome spotlight. Despite the intense scrutiny and emotional toll, she maintained a strong, dignified front, focusing all her energy on finding Laci and later, ensuring justice was served for both Laci and Conner.

1. Still Residing in Modesto, Surrounded by Family

Despite the painful memories associated with the Central Valley, Sharon Rocha has chosen to remain in Modesto, California. This decision highlights a deep commitment to her home and her surviving family, who have been her core support system over the past two decades. Living in Modesto allows her to remain close to her other children and grandchildren, finding comfort and strength in their everyday presence. The family's bond has been crucial in their healing process. In a touching display of their enduring connection, it was revealed that Sharon Rocha purchased burial plots together with her family in mid-2003, ensuring that they would all be together eventually, a final, poignant act of love and unity following Laci and Conner's funerals. This focus on family and community is a testament to her resilient spirit, proving that she has not allowed the tragedy to isolate her.

2. A Tireless Champion for Victims' Rights and New Legislation

Perhaps the most significant chapter of Sharon Rocha's life today is her powerful role as a victims' rights advocate. She has transformed her personal grief into a mission to prevent other families from enduring similar pain and to ensure victims have a stronger voice in the justice system. Rocha currently works directly with the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office. Her work is focused on authoring and promoting new laws in California specifically designed to enhance and protect the rights of crime victims. This legislative effort is a direct result of her experience, aiming to close loopholes and strengthen the legal framework for victims and their families. Her dedication earned her the prestigious National Crime Victim Service Award, recognizing her profound impact on the legal landscape. This advocacy work is not merely symbolic; it is a hands-on, legislative effort that ensures Laci and Conner's memory is a catalyst for real, systemic change across the state.

3. Speaking Out on Scott Peterson's Ongoing Legal Battles (2025 Updates)

The case of Scott Peterson continues to generate headlines, particularly as he pursues various legal avenues, including a bid for a new trial. In what is considered a major and current update, Sharon Rocha has publicly voiced her strong opposition to his attempts to overturn his conviction. Her recent statements, some updated as recently as April 2025, make it clear that her stance remains firm. She has consistently used her platform to remind the public and the courts of the overwhelming evidence presented at trial and the pain inflicted upon her family. Her willingness to speak out during these ongoing legal proceedings is crucial, as it provides a necessary counterbalance to the media focus on Peterson’s appeals, ensuring that the victims—Laci and Conner—are not forgotten in the legal technicalities. Her message is one of certainty: justice was served, and the focus should remain on Laci's legacy, not her killer's freedom.

4. Sharing Her Story in the Netflix Docuseries 'American Murder: Laci Peterson'

In a significant move to control the narrative and offer a fresh, in-depth perspective, Sharon Rocha agreed to an extensive interview for the Netflix docuseries, *American Murder: Laci Peterson*. The documentary, which brought new attention to the case around 2024, provided Rocha with a platform to discuss her loss and the events surrounding the tragedy in unprecedented detail. In these new interviews, she opened up about her first impressions of Scott Peterson, revealing a "bad feeling" she had about her former son-in-law long before he was convicted. She also shared the heartbreaking detail that Peterson "never denied killing my daughter to me," during a private conversation, a powerful revelation two decades after the fact. Her participation in the series was a deliberate choice to ensure her daughter’s story is told accurately and with dignity, offering a direct, personal account that cuts through years of media speculation and sensationalism.

5. Honoring Laci and Conner's Memory Through a Lasting Legacy

Beyond the courtroom and the camera, Sharon Rocha’s daily life is a quiet dedication to preserving the memory of Laci and Conner Peterson. The core of her existence is ensuring that her daughter, a vibrant, loving woman, is remembered for who she was, not just how she died. Rocha often speaks about Laci’s spirit, her love for life, and the excitement she had for becoming a mother. By focusing on Laci's legacy, she provides a powerful contrast to the darkness of the crime. Her advocacy work is the most tangible expression of this legacy, transforming the profound loss into a public good. Every new law she helps to draft, every public appearance she makes, and every interview she gives is a direct tribute to Laci and Conner, ensuring their lives continue to inspire change and provide comfort to other grieving families. Sharon Rocha's journey is a sobering reminder that while justice may eventually be served, the work of healing and advocacy is a lifelong endeavor.