Episode Overview

Podcast: Murder: True Crime Stories
Episode: 40 Years Later: The Murder of Sherri Rasmussen 2, with Vanessa Richardson
Release Date: February 19, 2026
Host: Carter Roy
Guest: Vanessa Richardson

Main Theme:
This episode marks the 40th anniversary of Sherri Rasmussen’s murder, revisiting her case to dissect how police investigative failures—and possible bias within the LAPD—let her killer walk free for decades. With guest Vanessa Richardson, the show explores the profound personal impact on the Rasmussen family, the persistent campaign for justice, and scrutinizes the institutional issues that allowed the case to turn cold before finally being solved—revealing the murderer was a police officer all along.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Introduction and Initial Investigation

• Sherri Rasmussen, a 29-year-old nurse, found murdered at her Los Angeles condo on February 24, 1986.
• Her husband, John Rutten, discovered the crime scene:
  • Car missing, glass shattered, Sherri's body bruised and cold, obvious struggle (06:19).
• Initial theory by detectives Lyle Mayer & Steve Hooks:
  • Murder was a burglary gone wrong (07:36).
  • “The pile of electronics next to her body suggested the culprit intended to rob the place, and the fact that her BMW was stolen bolstered their theory.” — Carter Roy [07:36]
• Forensic evidence included:
  • Attempted restraints (rope, speaker wire), bullet holes in blanket (used as silencer), broken shelves, and—critically—a bite mark on Sherri’s arm (08:44).

2. Early Overlooked Suspects and LAPD Dismissals

• Sherri’s father, Nels Rasmussen, immediately raised suspicions about two individuals:
  • A nurse Sherri had passed over for a promotion
  • John’s ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Lazarus, an LAPD officer who had been harassing the couple (12:59).
• Police dismissed these ideas, focusing on "burglary" despite family protest.
• Multiple fingerprints, but mostly from Sherri or John, with a few unclaimed.
• “For some reason, though, investigators missed the bloody print Detective Mayer had noticed on top of the CD player.” — Carter Roy [14:38]
• Sherri’s car found unlocked with keys in ignition, furthering burglary theory, although not stripped or tampered with (27:17).

3. The Investigation Goes Cold

• No substantial leads; police continued arresting and fingerprinting local burglars—never matching evidence to a suspect (27:17 - 32:23).
• Stephanie Lazarus, after the murder, filed a report that her police-issued .38 revolver was stolen—the same type of gun used to kill Sherri (28:19).
• Despite Sherri's and John's families repeatedly asking police to look into Stephanie, they were told there was "nothing there" (30:26).
• “Her father, Nels, was confident that he mentioned John's ex girlfriend, who, who he didn't know by name, as a potential suspect. At least three times...they were confident that a robber was responsible for Sherry's murder.” — Carter Roy [22:15]

4. Technological Advances & Cold Case Reopened

• Years passed; no suspects identified, and the case faded from active investigation.
• In 2005, DNA analysis showed the attacker was a woman (35:26).
  • “Jennifer's analysis focused on the bite mark found on Sherry's forearm. She determined that saliva from the wound fit a woman's DNA profile. That was a surprise...she passed the results on...” — Vanessa Richardson [35:26]
• In 2008, cold case detective Jim Nuttall noticed inconsistencies and reopened the file. He called John Rutten for possible leads; John immediately named Stephanie Lazarus (36:39).
• With caution (due to Stephanie's status as a police officer with connections), detectives reviewed all leads, then placed Lazarus under secret surveillance to obtain her DNA (39:51).
• “Seconds after Stephanie threw away her soda in a Costco trash can, the surveillance team swiped her cup and straw. They used those to get a viable DNA sample.” — Vanessa Richardson [39:51]
• DNA matched Stephanie to the bite mark on Sherri’s arm—23 years after the murder (40:42).

5. Arrest, Trial, and Aftermath

• Stephanie Lazarus was tricked into coming to the station for a fake interview before being arrested (41:15).
• Her arrest caused public uproar. While LAPD claimed this proved no one was above the law, many believed the department had shielded her for decades (41:15 - 42:11).
• Stephanie retired with full pension before trial and never testified or issued a public statement (42:11).
• “Despite her official plea, the evidence was clear. On March 8, she was found guilty of first degree murder and was sentenced to 27 years to life in prison.” — Carter Roy [42:11]
• Rasmussen family sued the city and LAPD, alleging a cover-up; their suit was dismissed under governmental immunity (43:34).

6. Parole, Confession, and Legacy

• Stephanie became eligible for parole in 2023 and finally confessed at her hearing, but John's testimony and lack of remorse led to her denial (44:50).
• Memorable quote: “Her confession provided a small amount of closure for Sherry's mother, Loretta. Sadly, her father Nels passed away in 2020, but he did live to see his daughter's killer finally locked away.” — Vanessa Richardson [44:50]
• Carter Roy closed with a reflection on transparency and trust in law enforcement, emphasizing that justice shouldn't rely on luck or persistence by grieving families (45:37).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carter Roy [01:29]:
  “Could they really trust the officers who were meant to protect them? People's lives are like a story. There's a beginning, a middle and an end. But you don't always know which part you're on. And sometimes the final chapter arrives far too soon.”
• Vanessa Richardson [12:59]:
  “He knew the police's working theory about the burglary, but he wasn't convinced. Off the top of his head, he could think of two people who might want Sherry dead. One was a nurse who worked under her...the second was John's ex girlfriend.”
• Carter Roy [39:00]:
  “He swore Nuttall and the others to absolute secrecy. He even created a generic a case number in the LAPD's database that they could use to log evidence. That way, if Stephanie was keeping tabs...she wouldn't realize the cold case had been reopened.”
• Vanessa Richardson [44:50]:
  “Though she may be granted parole in the future, her confession provided a small amount of closure for Sherry's mother, Loretta. Sadly, her father Nels passed away in 2020, but he did live to see his daughter's killer finally locked away.”
• Carter Roy [45:37]:
  “Today, on the 40th anniversary of her murder, we remember Sherry. Her story should remind us all how important transparency is during a criminal investigation because everyone has blind spots, even seasoned homicide detectives who are trying to do their job.”

Important Timestamps / Segments

• Opening Reflections on Accountability: [00:42–01:29]
• Discovery of the Crime Scene: [06:19–07:06]
• Police Focus on Burglary Theory: [07:36–10:05]
• Early Suspicions and LAPD Dismissal: [12:59–14:38]
• Evidence Processing and Cold Case Stall: [14:38–27:17]
• Stephanie Lazarus' Reported Gun Theft: [28:19]
• Case Goes Cold and Family Frustrations: [30:26–34:12]
• DNA Advances, Case Reopened: [35:26–40:42]
• Stephanie's Arrest and Trial: [41:15–43:34]
• Parole, Confession, and the Family's Closure: [44:50–45:37]
• Episode Conclusion and Legacy Statement: [45:37]

Final Thoughts

This episode adeptly combines a clear recounting of the Rasmussen case’s facts with a deep exploration of human impact and institutional failure. The hosts maintain a respectful tone, giving voice to the family’s relentless pursuit for justice and providing pointed commentary on police accountability. Key quotes and personal recollections from the hosts and family members enliven the story, making the cautionary lessons around investigative transparency and perseverance in the face of official indifference resonate long after the episode ends.