One of Their Own
Digest
This episode of 48 Hours delves into the chilling murder of Sherry Rasmussen, a young nurse, in Los Angeles in 1986. The initial investigation focused on a burglary gone wrong, but the Rasmussen family suspected John Rotten's ex-girlfriend, an LAPD detective named Stephanie Lazarus, from the start. Sherry had confided in her family and friends about Lazarus's obsessive behavior, including confrontations and stalking. Despite these concerns, the police dismissed the family's suspicions and pursued the burglary theory. Years later, a DNA sample from a bite mark on Sherry's arm led investigators to Lazarus, who was arrested and charged with murder. The trial revealed a complex web of relationships, jealousy, and a possible cover-up. Ultimately, Lazarus was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 27 years to life in prison. The episode highlights the importance of thorough investigations, the devastating impact of unsolved crimes on families, and the complexities of justice in the face of a shocking revelation.
Outlines
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Introduction
This Chapter introduces the case of Sherry Rasmussen's murder in Los Angeles in 1986. It highlights the initial investigation's focus on a burglary gone wrong and the Rasmussen family's suspicion of John Rotten's ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Lazarus, an LAPD detective. The chapter also introduces the reporters, Joel Rubin and Andrew Blankstein, who are consultants to 48 Hours.
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The Crime Scene
This Chapter describes the crime scene where Sherry Rasmussen was found murdered in her Los Angeles home. It details the brutal nature of the crime, including the victim's injuries and the evidence found at the scene. The chapter also introduces the victim, Sherry Rasmussen, and her background as a successful nurse and newlywed.
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The Initial Investigation
This Chapter examines the initial investigation into Sherry Rasmussen's murder. It highlights the police's focus on a burglary theory and their dismissal of the Rasmussen family's suspicions about Stephanie Lazarus. The chapter also explores the evidence collected at the scene, including a saliva sample from a bite mark on Sherry's arm.
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The Cold Case Reopened
This Chapter details the reopening of Sherry Rasmussen's cold case in 2008. It highlights the discovery of DNA evidence from the bite mark on Sherry's arm, which led investigators to Stephanie Lazarus. The chapter also describes the process of obtaining a DNA sample from Lazarus and the shocking results that confirmed her involvement in the crime.
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The Arrest of Stephanie Lazarus
This Chapter focuses on the arrest of Stephanie Lazarus, an LAPD detective, for the murder of Sherry Rasmussen. It describes the covert operation undertaken by detectives to apprehend Lazarus without tipping her off. The chapter also details the interrogation of Lazarus, her initial denial of involvement, and her eventual arrest.
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The Trial
This Chapter covers the trial of Stephanie Lazarus for the murder of Sherry Rasmussen. It outlines the prosecution's case, which presented Lazarus as a jealous ex-girlfriend driven to kill by Sherry's marriage to John Rotten. The chapter also details the defense's strategy, which focused on challenging the DNA evidence and the credibility of the prosecution's witnesses.
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The Verdict and Sentencing
This Chapter concludes the episode with the verdict and sentencing of Stephanie Lazarus. It highlights the jury's decision to find Lazarus guilty of first-degree murder and the subsequent sentencing of 27 years to life in prison. The chapter also includes statements from the Rasmussen family and John Rotten, expressing their grief and seeking closure after years of seeking justice for Sherry.
Keywords
Sherry Rasmussen
Sherry Rasmussen was a 29-year-old nurse who was murdered in her Los Angeles home in 1986. She was a successful nursing director at a hospital in Los Angeles and had recently married John Rotten. Her murder remained unsolved for 23 years until DNA evidence linked the crime to Stephanie Lazarus, a former LAPD detective.
Stephanie Lazarus
Stephanie Lazarus was a former LAPD detective who was convicted of the murder of Sherry Rasmussen in 2009. She was John Rotten's ex-girlfriend and was suspected by the Rasmussen family from the beginning of the investigation. Lazarus was arrested after DNA evidence from a bite mark on Sherry's arm linked her to the crime. She was sentenced to 27 years to life in prison.
John Rotten
John Rotten was Sherry Rasmussen's husband. He was the one who discovered her body and was initially a suspect in the murder investigation. He had a previous relationship with Stephanie Lazarus, who was later convicted of Sherry's murder. Rotten testified at the trial, stating that Lazarus was upset about his marriage to Sherry and begged him not to go through with it.
Cold Case
A cold case is an unsolved criminal investigation that has been inactive for a significant period of time. Sherry Rasmussen's murder was a cold case for 23 years before DNA evidence led to the arrest and conviction of Stephanie Lazarus. Cold cases often remain unsolved due to lack of evidence, witness cooperation, or investigative resources.
DNA Evidence
DNA evidence is a type of forensic evidence that uses genetic material to identify individuals or link them to a crime scene. In the case of Sherry Rasmussen's murder, DNA evidence from a bite mark on her arm played a crucial role in identifying Stephanie Lazarus as the suspect. DNA evidence has revolutionized criminal investigations, providing a powerful tool for solving crimes and exonerating the innocent.
Murder Trial
A murder trial is a legal proceeding in which a defendant is accused of killing another person. The trial involves presenting evidence, testimony, and legal arguments to determine the defendant's guilt or innocence. The trial of Stephanie Lazarus for the murder of Sherry Rasmussen was a high-profile case that garnered significant media attention due to the shocking revelation that the suspect was a former LAPD detective.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is the largest municipal police department in the United States. The LAPD was involved in the investigation of Sherry Rasmussen's murder, which ultimately led to the arrest and conviction of one of their own officers, Stephanie Lazarus. The case highlighted the complexities of law enforcement and the potential for misconduct within police departments.
48 Hours
48 Hours is a long-running American news magazine program that airs on the CBS television network. The program often features in-depth investigations of crime stories, including cold cases, murders, and other criminal investigations. The episode of 48 Hours that covered Sherry Rasmussen's murder provided a detailed account of the case, including interviews with the Rasmussen family, John Rotten, and Stephanie Lazarus's defense attorney.
Q&A
What was the initial theory behind Sherry Rasmussen's murder?
The initial theory was that Sherry was killed during a burglary gone wrong. The police believed that she had interrupted two men trying to burglarize her home and they had killed her to silence her.
Why did the Rasmussen family suspect Stephanie Lazarus from the beginning?
The Rasmussen family suspected Lazarus because Sherry had confided in them about Lazarus's obsessive behavior, including confrontations and stalking. They believed that Lazarus was jealous of Sherry's relationship with John Rotten and may have been motivated to harm her.
What evidence ultimately led to Stephanie Lazarus's arrest?
DNA evidence from a bite mark on Sherry's arm linked Lazarus to the crime scene. The DNA test indicated a 1.76 trillion to one chance that it belonged to someone other than Lazarus.
What was the defense's strategy in the trial?
The defense focused on challenging the DNA evidence, arguing that it was mishandled and unreliable. They also attempted to cast doubt on the prosecution's motive, suggesting that Lazarus was not as obsessed with John Rotten as the prosecution claimed.
What was the outcome of the trial?
Stephanie Lazarus was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 27 years to life in prison. The jury reached their verdict after a trial that lasted more than four weeks and involved testimony from over 60 witnesses.
What impact did this case have on the Rasmussen family?
The case had a profound impact on the Rasmussen family, who endured years of grief and frustration as they sought justice for Sherry. The trial provided them with some closure, but they continue to grieve the loss of their daughter.
What lessons can be learned from this case?
This case highlights the importance of thorough investigations, the devastating impact of unsolved crimes on families, and the complexities of justice in the face of a shocking revelation. It also raises questions about the potential for misconduct within law enforcement and the need for accountability when officers are suspected of crimes.
Show Notes
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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