DeepSummary
This podcast episode discusses the 1986 murder of Sherry Ray Rasmussen, a young nursing director in Los Angeles who was brutally attacked, beaten, and shot three times in her home. For over two decades, Sherry's father Nels Rasmussen suspected that her husband John Rutten's ex-girlfriend, LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus, was responsible for the murder due to her reported obsession with Rutten. However, the initial investigation focused on the theory of a botched burglary.
In 2008, cold case detectives reopened the case and found that DNA evidence from a bite mark on Sherry's arm matched Stephanie Lazarus. After secretly collecting a DNA sample from Lazarus, detectives arrested her in 2009 and charged her with Sherry's murder. The prosecution portrayed Lazarus as a jealous ex-girlfriend who killed Sherry out of rage over Rutten's marriage, while the defense argued that the DNA evidence was mishandled and unreliable.
After a highly publicized trial, Lazarus was convicted of first-degree murder in 2012 and sentenced to 27 years to life in prison. Sherry's family, including her father Nels, finally received justice after decades of frustration with the initial investigation's focus on the burglary theory over Lazarus as a suspect.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Sherry Ray Rasmussen was brutally murdered in her Los Angeles home in 1986, with the initial investigation focusing on a botched burglary theory.
- Sherry's father Nels Rasmussen long suspected her husband John Rutten's ex-girlfriend, LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus, was the killer due to her reported jealousy and obsession.
- In 2008, the case was reopened and DNA evidence from a bite mark linked Lazarus to the crime scene, leading to her arrest in 2009.
- Lazarus was convicted of first-degree murder in 2012 after a trial where prosecutors portrayed her as a jealous ex-girlfriend who killed Sherry, while the defense challenged the DNA evidence.
- The Rasmussen family finally achieved justice after over two decades of pushing investigators to pursue Lazarus as a suspect based on Nels' initial suspicions of her involvement.
- The case highlighted flaws in the initial 1986 investigation's singular focus on the burglary theory over other potential suspects and motives.
- It raised questions about proper handling and preservation of DNA evidence over long periods for cold cases.
- The emotional impact of the murder and decades-long pursuit of justice was profoundly difficult for Sherry's family.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “The bottom line is this DNA evidence is flawed.“ by Mark Overland
- “DNA profiling technology absolutely nails her as a defendant.“ by (unidentified prosecutor)
- “I never felt so good in my life.“ by Nels Rasmussen
- “Sherry was competition. If she could get Sheri out of the way, then possibly John would be free to be with her again.“ by (unidentified)
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Episode Information
48 Hours
CBS News
6/20/24
In 1986, Sherri Mae Rasmussen was attacked, beaten and shot to death in her Los Angeles home. Her father, Nels Rasmussen, was convinced Sherri’s husband, John Ruetten, was not involved. For more than two decades, Nels tried to get the police to focus on John’s ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Lazarus, a decorated Los Angeles police detective. Detectives trailed Lazarus to obtain a DNA sample and the results were stunning: the DNA from Sherri’s bite mark and that of Stephanie Lazarus matched. “48 Hours" correspondent Maureen Maher reports. This classic "48 Hours" episode last aired on 5/26/2012. Watch all-new episodes of “48 Hours” on Saturdays, and stream on demand on Paramount+.
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