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The Murder of Sherri Rasmussen: A Cold Case Finally Solved

Friday, October 4, 2024

Detective Cliff Shepard was the lead investigator in the Rasmussen case, but he struggled to find evidence. He discovered that a crucial bite swab had gone missing. With help from Jennifer Francis, a criminalist at LAPD's Scientific Investigation Division, they located the swab at the Medical Examiner's Office. The DNA profile did not match any names in law enforcement databases, and Shepard moved on without identifying a suspect. Years later, Detective Jim Nuttall reopened the case and noticed discrepancies in the original burglary theory.

He compiled a list of female suspects and eventually focused on Stephanie Lazarus, Ruetten's ex-lover. Surveillance units followed Lazarus and obtained DNA evidence from a discarded cup, which matched the bite mark on Rasmussen. Lazarus was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Despite her initial plea of innocence, she later confessed during her parole hearing.

dna medical examiner office scientific investigation division rasmussen mark stephanie lazarus detective jim nuttall jennifer francis cliff shepard

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