The Strange Stephanie Lazarus Case

Summary by Krater

This video examines the 1986 murder of Sherri Rasmussen and the 20-year investigation that ultimately led to the conviction of LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus in 2012.

From the video

Answers: Who murdered Sherri Rasmussen and how was the case solved after 20 years?

• Sherri Rasmussen murder case
• Stephanie Lazarus conviction
• Cold case investigation
• LAPD detective murder trial
• DNA evidence in cold cases

What it concludes

• Sherri Rasmussen was murdered in her home in 1986, and the case went cold for two decades before DNA evidence linked LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus to the crime.
• Investigators initially treated the crime scene as a botched burglary, overlooking potential motives related to Stephanie Lazarus's obsession with John Ruetten.
• Cold case detective Jennifer Butterworth re-examined the evidence in 2004 and found that the suspect's saliva matched an unknown female profile.
• Stephanie Lazarus was convicted of first-degree murder in 2012 and sentenced to 27 years to life in prison, with motive established as jealousy.