Case 42: Sherri Rasmussen

[@Sandra-wj4on]

First burglar (panicking): "Come on ... she dead! Let's get outta here!" Second burglar: "What about the jewelry? The stereo?" First burglar: "Leave it! Just make sure you grab that marriage certificate! That's gotta be worth more! Let's get the hell outta here!"

[@brendakauffman2222]

Lead Investigator: "Hi I'm Sherri's dad, you need to check on the ex girlfriend." Look dude, you watch too much TV. Fails to even log the multiple calls made to the department except one citation.

[@drewmadenew3000]

Legend has it that Stephanie Lazarus still has no idea what this is all about.

[@hillarysloveletterstolorne1496]

well what do you expect---it was a million years ago! ha

[@georgemorgan5906]

Let me think! No, I don’t remember beating the hell out of her and making it look like a burglary! No, I don’t think I was there. You know it’s been so long! I’ve killed so I don’t remember that but I had an ice cream the next day!! What’s this all about??

[@georgemorgan5906]

Oh, by the way, when I get out, can I have my old job back?? Come on!

[@ceruleanc505]

😂

[@fh346]

Well, I Wondered That too. No. I'm Dead Serious!!! But here's the thing. Even if the DNA was tampered with or the sample was tampered with or anything along those lines of that nature this is what cannot be denied. There were just way way way too many other coincidences that lined up. Honest and true facts! Like the Diaries she kept and all the information about John. I wondered if she could have been framed because those things do happen but in this case there were just way way way too many other coincidences that made the prosecution's case overwhelmingly having no doubt of her guilt.

[@kimbaker4352]

I just can’t believe it, I mean this is crazy, I’m just totally in shock that after 23 years I got caught.

[@brendakauffman2222]

Psychopaths truly think they are going to get away with their behavior, and she'd gotten away with it for 23 years, and she'd risen through the ranks in the LAPD to several coveted high ranking positions.

[@Smokey66s]

“I don’t know why you’re talking about a gal I murdered a million years ago, geez.”

[@sunnysmiles8211]

What detective keeps with the burglar theory when the supposed burglar ignores the jewelry and electronics, leaves her purse in a garden, but steals the WEDDING CERTIFICATE??? Re: the LAPD detective assigned to the case: We are dealing with either incompetence, negligence or a deceptive cover up. Either way the LAPD has a lot to answer for.

[@brendakauffman2222]

The LAPD was known to fierce-less-ly protect their own, particularly at that time. Rather not have someone in their station implicated. She may have seemed so unlikely with her stellar reputation in the police force. Though Sherri's dad called multiple times telling them to explore the ex girlfriend, they only once wrote a note about it in the log on the case; and, told the dad he's watched too much TV. The lead investigator never once explored the option of Lazarus. The first 3 pages of log notes is missing. Interestingly Stephanie had access to the files, as she did homicides. John Rutten definitely wasn't smart, sleeping with her after he was engaged, allowing her to come to the apartment and doing things for her his wife requested he not. He knew she'd stalked Sherri and that Sherri was uncomfortable. He even knew Stephanie had gotten into the apartment and suddenly appeared out of nowhere recently. He either ignored some clear evidence or he was in severe denial. His multiple sexual experiences with her and the emotional highs may have blinded him to exploring this option.

[@1888.cfc.]

Cover up. The cops are scum. Majority of them. They knew she done that murder and they PROTECTED her.

[@rubyred6954]

AGREED! But they’ll cover each other’s azz which is a horrific thought. The way she was protected is sickening to think they can basically K with impunity!

[@anitaholst7671]

Thus it's very easy to understand the coverup.

[@Aryasvitkona]

@@brendakauffman2222 I think she didn't have the stellar reputation yet at the time, but yeah they didn't want an LAPD officer being investigated for murder.

[@jimclifford5434]

I attended high school with Sherri Rasmussen in Arizona. So sad. Small school, so we all knew each other. She had so much going for her. She just hooked up with the wrong guy. She knew something of Stephanie Lazarus, but didn't realize how deep Stephanie looked at the relationship with John Rutten. The classic love triangle.

[@spfsincerely1341]

John Rutten was definitely the WRONG guy. Rutten was also not nice to Sherri’s family after the murder. LAPD definitely failed Sherri’s family. I wonder why Sherri’s mother and sister listed as one of five women who may have bitten her?

[@annoftheoldbogroad1534]

SPF Sincerely Totally Obviously we don’t know the full truth but that was his new bride He should have left no stone overturned Poor Sherri

[@rebeccahopkins9522]

Sherri even entered college at age 16, and was a director of nursing by her mid 20’s. Incredibly smart woman, as well as a beauty.

[@annoftheoldbogroad1534]

Laura Gonzalez Not only that he was very scared to tell them the full truth. He left so much out. Saving himself. Didnt want the whole truth to come out. Didn’t even ring Sherris parents. And apparently both families never got over that understandably. Sherris parents had to fight on alone

[@annoftheoldbogroad1534]

@Dana Davison agreed

[@neilmellican7366]

Geez, I don't know if I butchered her to death❓ What year is it ❓ What year was it in 1986❓I'll have to look at my pictures! My friend Shmeeda, we went to Hawii, maybe the big island, God I cannot remember, it was a million years ago, I'll have to ask my ex. John or one of the firemen from LAFD that I was banging at the time! What year is it❓I may have worked in KFC, which branch, which island❓I'll have to ask my buddy Sherri, no wait, I faintly remember that she was lost at sea when the RMS Lusitania was sunk by a torpedo at Oyster Harbor‼️I am trying to wind my memory back‼️ What year was it, I'll have to look at my pictues‼️❓ Golly Gosh! I have a friend named Diane, who passed away from prostrate cancer in 1935, we were all friends on the 19th floor, Did I meet Joan of Arc❓ I may have met her, Jack the Ripper❓ Florence Nightingale‼️ I may have met her on my way to the morgue, in a hospital on my way to work in the valley❓ What year was it, what island❓I'll have to look at my pictures! I have a friend named Shmeeda, Sally, Joseph, Lucifer❓ geez I cannot remember, it was a long time ago! We all lived on the 10th floor. Yeah, I may have shot her three times, I faintly remember smashing her face in with my .38 assegai‼️ What was her name.... Apple, Cherry, Pear, Orange❓ It was before Noah's Flood, I cannot remember what year. Was it in 1894❓What year is it now❓Golly Gosh, Blige me, shiver me timbers, it was before the big earthquake 65 million years ago. I cannot remember what year it was! I'll have to ask my friend Shmeeda, she takes a lot of pictures‼️

[@malovela]

This made me cry with laughter.

[@Balrog-tf3bg]

😂😂 I thought you were crazy until I realize what you were referencing

[@sheryldalton8965]

The disbelieving terror in her voice is good to hear. I've watched the video several times & watching her squirm too was priceless. Sometimes justice is a dish best served cold. When she was asked if she knew any detais about the murder i bet the actual scene was going through her mind; but that mouth never stopped haha.

[@eileencloonan8261]

Excellent Presentation! 'Casefile True Crime!'. I have to say... one of the creepiest parts of this murder was the fact that this jealous female cop actually STOLE the newlywed's Marriage License!

[@cherrytop9616]

Eileen Cloonan ....you are 100% right! so creepy and such a female thing to do. from the moment they realized the marriage license was stolen, any good detective would have known a woman did this!! Only a woman with a fierce personal jealousy would do this. HUGE MISTAKE.

[@claymac7895]

It shows how irrational Stephanie was. She had already killed Sherrie, dead people can’t be married. So stealing the marriage license meant nothing except to point right at her.

[@pal1786]

Eileen Cloonan I agree. Think about it...the only things stolen were the marriage license and the BMW that John bought Sherri for their engagement. Two very personal items. No thieves take marriage licenses. Come on. They really were some crappy detectives in 86. The sad thing is that she only got 27 years. Why not more?

[@vivians9392]

@@claymac7895 It was taken to psychologically deny their marriage ever existed, in her unstable brain. Sicko.

[@jasonhawkins7527]

This is sooo true! OMG! I listened to this episode tonight at work and they got to that point that said the marriage license was stolen and I'm like, "Wait, WTF!?" And then I forgot it was stolen once they started to look at Stephanie, and after reading this comment I'm like, "Ooohhhhhhhh yeah that's right! That horrid woman!"

[@elenaceleste983]

She's caught and still lying !

[@sandygrogg1203]

One of my two top police interviews... She’s nuts... Edited to add: It’s so ironic that Stephanie did most of the same things during her interview that the guilty always do.... Over explaining., etc.. Thungs thst are a dead giveaway for interrogates. Fun to watch her squirm...

[@elainespall5677]

@sandygrogg what is your other favourite?

[@BleakVision]

It may have been for the best that Lazarus didn‘t go to trial in the 80s. Without witnesses and no definitive physical evidence, Lazarus would probably have walked. Protected by double joepardy law, she would have gotten away with it for good.

[@nataren5700]

I had a similar thought but more so in regards to the DNA. Back in the 80's you required quite a large DNA sample to test. The small sample they had from her bite mark may not have allowed for conclusive results and they may have used up the sample they had. It would have been correct to wait for forensic science to advance. But no excuse for this case not to have been resolved by mid to late 90's as DNA forensic science was more advanced by that time. It could have been solved in 1995 . In addition results proved in the early 2000's that the perpetrator was a woman yet it took almost another 10 years because of administrative delays. Very frustrating for her family.

[@redpillfreedom6692]

@@nataren5700 Ted Kirby was caught in 1999 through DNA testing, so there definitely was no excuse for Lazarus to remain a free woman until 2009.

[@saraboyd1892]

I never thought of that BleakVision. I absolutely think you are right.

[@radar305]

Very good observation.

[@kirbykipling9515]

That's very true

[@tanyafromjefferson5484]

I've listened to this episode at least 50 times. So well done!!

[@spfsincerely1341]

Me too.

[@donnam4730]

Me too every night before I go to bed lol sweet justice

[@tanyafromjefferson5484]

Larry Dolkins 😂😂😃

[@marial3231]

Larry hahahaha

[@sandygrogg1203]

Me, too. It’s up there with the one done by Det. Jim Smith, in Canada.. Thd Russel case.

[@elenaceleste983]

Great video p0dcast- so sad it cost a beautiful person's life bc of her selfish narcissistic behavior.

[@hillarysloveletterstolorne1496]

Sherri was a Director of Nursing in her 20s. she must have been a damn good nurse AND very very smart. and as you said, she was so beautiful.

[@vincentvega8210]

Even an amateur can see shes LYING....and these detectives who do this for a living can see right thru her. Anyway they had a grand slam.....DNA.

[@delanthonyenos5073]

She knew it was over,the minute she said John Rutten.....over

[@jtveg]

That's easy to say after the fact, but so many are now being found to have been wrongly convicted (ironically through DNA evidence) because detectives, prosecutors and juries believed _"Even an amateur can see shes LYING..."_ [sic]. So it is improper to convict solely based on one's reactions or body language. Without the DNA from the bight the case was merely circumstantial and not even worth going to trial.

[@sudija9971]

John Thimakis Actually, yes, even an amateur can see she’s lying. She could not give one definite answer regarding her ex boyfriend. She disn’t even tell them right away he had been her boyfriend, but said “we went to school together”. She pretended she couldn’t remember Sherri’s name, or whether they had ever had a fight. I doubt anyone could forget such things even after 20 years. Her breathing, her nervousness... She pretended she had no idea what it was about, yet when they asked her of she knew what had happened to Sherri, she finally said “I know she got killed”. If I were in her shoes and innocent, the moment they would ask about Jihn’s wife, the usual reaction would be “Sherri? The one that got killed? Is that the case you’re working on?”. The fights, the threats, marriage certificate stolen, her gun reported stolen two weeks after the murder but not to the department she worked at, the DNA, the bullets used by the cops back then, her demeanor during the interrogation, that’s too much coincidence to cast doubt on her guilt. She was not convicted solely because of the DNA.

[@jtveg]

@@sudija9971 It is irrelevant how many examples you bring up because it only takes one amateur to convict an innocent person (which has happened plenty of times) to refute that you can gauge someone's guilt based on their memory of events that happened decades ago. Unless you can "prove" they are lying rather than they can't remember you have nothing but circumstantial evidence. The fact remains no one can "tell" when someone is lying. Even body language experts get fooled. Evidence is what is required. Without the DNA in this case there would not have been a conviction. You better hope you aren't falsely accused one day and there are like minded people on the jury because you would quickly find yourself unjustly spending time behind bars simply because some "amateur" felt you were lying.

[@sudija9971]

John Thimakis I’ll repeat it for you, she wasn’t convivted ONLY based on DNA. And with regards to the ‘interrogation’ video, I think you didn’t really understand what we are taliing about here. Of course that a jury wouldn’t say ‘she’s guilty because she acts like a veeery guilty person there’. No, we are talking here about what my, your, Mike’s or Jim’s opinion is - amateur opinion. If I were sitting in a jury, it would take much more to convict her (such as DNA and other evidence, motive, absence of alibi, witnesses etc.). So, we all see you are just trying to act very clever here, but you are wasting your time, we are talking here about our personal AMATEUR (if you wish) opinion whether she acts like a guilty person or not. Do you have an impression she is acting like an innocent person here?

[@jayelboricuacortes]

The way she answered the DNA question... “maybe” Lol then they handcuffed her and brought her back......... woahhhh that’s nuts...

[@noellegunning3301]

She put on plenty of handcuffs on other people no doubt, even after Sherri death. She finally got them on herself and an orange jumpsuit too. No harm

[@donnadouglas1883]

Crazy eyes is were she belongs...jail. be careful who you sleep with.

[@fh346]

Donna YOU Ma'am Have a Famous Name!!! I'm sure you get that all the time but when I saw your name I had to say that because that's what I noticed. I believe Donna Douglas was Ellie May on The Beverly Hillbillies. And she was one little Hottie!! LOL-LOL

[@user-hh5rn4jz6o]

The tone of the two detectives in the interview is so perfect. Friendly. Relaxed. Then occasionally a zinger. All the time they know she is leaving in handcuffs. Cats playing with a wounded mouse.

[@conniegalan5534]

The wounded mouse says she knows how it works. But she won’t be quiet. She wants to know what they’ve got. She’s used to being in control. Not happening here.

[@scienceownsimposters2142]

lol yup

[@tech5298]

Meow

[@Mark-l9k9q]

​@@conniegalan5534 Yeah, she knows they have some kind of DNA evidence on her, but she's not sure precisely what, so she can't risk giving a definitive answer to their questions.

[@littleallanpoe9980]

Kudos to the detectives who handled it out smoothly and did a good job of rattling the shit out of her so badly, that she's easily opposing her own statements. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@tonylawlor8833]

It's not all bad, this monster after her arrest was allowed retire from the force with full pension, a pension she still receives. Imo had certain police officers known about this investigation that dna sample would have been in jeopardy. The detective that was primarily responsible for her arrest Detective Nuttle was sidelined and another department, RHD, the same one that failed to investigate the case properly over the years took all the credit. Something is still not right.

[@veganandlovingit]

Bastards, no integrity

[@petroszakhariadis8623]

oh ffs, even if Mr Bean was a detective back in the the 1980s, even HEEEEEE would've worked out who the murderer was. Im like, SERIOUSLY???? It took 26 years to realise it was Stephanie????

[@colinconnolly6285]

Original detectives are a disgrace. This poor family suffered more than they had to due to negligence and/or corruption. Too bad their lawsuit failed.

[@ayatollahofarocknrolla403]

Colin you are corret. Why the cops didn't look into this woman as a prime suspect from the very beginning is unbelievable

[@Deeplycloseted435]

Colin Connolly the LAPD botched the RFK assassination, electing to put evidence in the garbage because it was “too large” to store. So steering an investigation away from one of their own, was probably no big deal to them. Cops look out for cops, always. No DNA in the 80’s, so it was simple to point a circumstantial case elsewhere. Fucking horrible though, yes.

[@fh346]

They did get a "Wrongful Death" Judgment The Pricetag of $10 Million. Of Course, It DOESN'T Bring Back Sherri.

[@fh346]

@@Deeplycloseted435 WellSaid Kev!! Sadly You are So Correct.

[@barbiekat6352]

Ayatollah of a rock n rolla The parents won a civil lawsuit against Stephanie Lazarus and were awarded a judgement. BUT they cannot collect anything from her bc because her only asset is her retirement pension and that cannot be garnished. Yes ! The department allowed her to put in for retirement after she was arrested... so that made her eligible for her $60k++ annually for life.

[@pigmanobvious]

Congratulations on solving a case that occurred a million years ago!

[@aussiealison7579]

Casefile Presents....where have you been all these years....although tragic stories of death by murder is gruesome, I've always been intrigued by all the cases eg types of people who committed murder...the how what why...who's done it....how they get resolved.....love this chanel....your aussie voice is soothing and the way you tell and picture the story is top level...I've only discovered your chanel and guys....you have me hooked line and sinker....GREAT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT....THANK YOU

[@marial3231]

Yes he has a great voice for this type of content (and other types too but for this a especially, respectful serious and yet expressive)

[@YlL-ji2sl]

Dude these detectives are so mean. Well done! 😂

[@nickinurse6433]

What I love is that the detectives are younger than her.......yet smarter. She KNOWS she's screwed......she's found out. She's so careful in her answers...always trying to figure out what they have. Was John there? Did someone ELSE say I was there.

[@christalvanlear9314]

Nicki nurse oh so careful in her answer. Trying to make sure it seems like she is trying to remember cause it was so long ago. But you can tell the whole time she is lying.

[@daz350]

What I noticed about the interview is the detectives just let her ramble on without saying much at all. Unless it was edited it was mainly Stephanie talking while her brain was trying to figure out how much trouble she was in...

[@blackie75]

They're sitting on irrefutable evidence and have the element of surprise. It's easy to appear smart under those circumstances.

[@Aryasvitkona]

@@daz350 If I remember I've seen this case covered before. This is largely unedited. The detectives really did just let her dig a hole

[@doublemarvellous5525]

"His brother played basketball"...great, thanks.So what about the murder?

[@godzillamanstreb524]

Lol

[@l-train7876]

Watch the interrogation of Stephanie Lazarous if you haven’t already. Insane.

[@southuniversityjesustv7124]

Man, what a liar. You can tell she's lying. You'd think she'd no better, than to answer their questions. As soon as the first question was asked, they knew she was lying. They purposely messed Ruttens name up and she fell for it. How many people has she sent to jail with her lies?

[@godallowsuturns679]

South University Jesus TV that’s the scary part.

[@chadcuckproducer1037]

Obviously she isn't very smart. Why show off your lock pick set?

[@scotthompson6271]

I agree!

[@cbesthelper404]

@@chadcuckproducer1037 Probably the same reason that she killed Sherri three more times after she had already mortally wounded her. Her energy against Sherri was off the charts, and still is. Notice the tone of her voice when she is forced to reply to a question about Sherri directly. Stephanie is an out-of-control jealous maniac. She isn't capable of keeping that inside. Thus, she shows off the lock pick set with fiendish excitement and anticipation, no doubt.

[@bridgettebianchi9315]

I think it seems wrong because she was at work. She didn’t realize this was an official interview, I believe.

[@showtime951]

I don't know anything about all this lying, non-verbal communication and interrogation analysis business, but I can tell you that in bed Stephanie Lazarus was CRAZEE!

[@AngieAitch]

Outstanding! I know , I know, its an old case, but, I have learned sooo much more from your coverage. Thank you x

[@russtownsend2898]

I'm thinking scheemda had sumppin to do with it.

[@dfgiuy22]

Can I look at my pictures?

[@dewydoright9878]

It was a million years ago!

[@BN-yw5iw]

I'm weak.......yup....Smeeda, and a cocaine abuser off of Roscoe.....😭😭😭

[@tiffineshah2357]

I don't understand how LAPD miss this one especially with the only thing missing is their marriage certificate.

[@KS-PNW]

The LAPD has a reputation for protecting their own.

[@arizonahighways7287]

They knew they'd nailed her in the first five minutes-

[@cbesthelper404]

Yeah. Having the DNA evidence is one thing. But to have confirmation from the Stephanie through her behavior and body language is like getting a confession. I can't imagine what those two detectives were thinking while watching her stack lie upon lie and stumble and stutter for over an hour. She almost regurgitated a few times. I think that the only thing that stifled it was the fact that she hadn't had her breakfast yet.

[@brendakauffman2222]

They already had nailed her prior because they had an exact DNA match prior to the interview. This was a way of trying to get her to admit her guilt with the element of surprise. The key is to keep the suspect talking, in hopes that they will actually end up confessing.

[@jimclifford5434]

On March 9, 2012, Lazarus was found guilty of first degree murder. During testimony heard prior to sentencing, John Ruetten said, "The fact that Sherri's death occurred because she met and married me brings me to my knees." On May 11, Lazarus was sentenced to 27 years in prison, with credit for time already served. She will be eligible for parole in 2039 at age 82.

[@newnana9070]

I doubt that the parole board is going to release her. Being eligible for parole doesn’t mean she’ll get out.

[@michiganman9599]

In 2039, Lazarus will be 79 or 78 going on 79; she was born in 1960.

[@iwantthe80sback59]

She got out in 2023.

[@jenmeadows-lawrence8015]

I enjoy your podcast so much. Thank you.

[@dwgherkemasnurdbird4803]

Oh it was awful, I remember the day I heard about it, 87 and sunny, not a cloud in the sky, my softball team had a big game that night, I went 2-3 with a walk, we ended up losing but only because Lisa our star pitcher tore her acl, it was just awful, we stranded 9 runners that day, still the dinner afterwards was great, I had surf and turf and coltons steakhouse on 7th and Washington, Did you know johns wife? Gobblygoo gobblygoo, hmmmmm, bmmm, bmmmm, I think she had a girls name? I’m a picture nut 😳

[@Civilian08]

This one's really hard to listen to. She sounds so nervous, it gave me anxiety just listening to her. And the fact that she thinks she's so sly, but we already know she's lying. It's so cringey.

[@OOoKarmaoOO]

She's stuttering her lies away

[@scienceownsimposters2142]

lol yup

[@always_b_natural703]

Her entire interrogation is on line. It's interesting to watch as she sinks lower and lower in her chair, knowing she's caught., but trying to figure a way to escape her karma. I would guess that Sherry had a good grip on Stephanie, and was possibly getting the upper hand. Stephanie bit Sherry to get her to release her grip. Without that bite, and without the swabbing, Stephanie would have gotten away with this murder. Also interesting is the way Stephanie downplayed Sherry's death, by stating she was killed and not murdered. That's a classic move by the guilty.

[@brittaewing5614]

Wow, she is such a bad lyer😅

[@jomcmenamin4579]

As allways brilliant

[@paulanthony5274]

It's like fatal attraction

[@christopherjameslee3341]

For an experienced detective, she clearly initially had no idea where the conversation with her two fellow detectives was leading. Once it does, you can hear in her voice that she knows the game is up.

[@sara-jaynedavis9319]

Don't the statute of limitation run out after a million years?

[@KS-PNW]

No statute of limitations for murder.

[@jaxcrax9644]

What would they have done had Stephanie not eagerly agreed to help question the suspect? “Did you know John Rutin?” “Yeah, I may have killed his wife. Geez, I don’t know. I think I killed her.” “We are talking to you here because we don’t want there to be any gossip about you.” “Geez, sure, I don’t know what to tell you.” “Did you kill her?” “Geez, I may have. It’s been so long ago. I saw a poster at work.” “How did you first find out she was dead?” “Geez, I think I found out when i shot her 3 times. I don’t know. What year is it?” “Did you know where they lived?” “I don’t think so. I don’t know. I might have known. I don’t remember. I must have known if I killed her; right? Geez, let me think back.”

[@brendakauffman2222]

lol

[@uratrick]

I would have to at my pictures.

[@lpr5269]

I MAY HAVE KILLED HER. I DON'T KNOW. I would have the check my pictures. I have like 10,000 pictures. I just scanned them and put them on DVD's. It took like 11 DVD's to save all the pictures. My friend Grady is dying of liver cancer.

[@Ccyawn123]

@@lpr5269 golly, it was a million years ago

[@noellegunning3301]

@@uratrick she'll be a while, there's 10,000 of them to look at😂😂

[@spfsincerely1341]

As a decorated cop, detective , internal affairs investigator, DARE advocate and instructor who knows a lot about interrogations, why oh why did she continue this interview? I would’ve lawyered up when they even mentioned Sherri Rasmussen.

[@vivians9392]

Because she knew she was guilty, but so narcissistic that she believed she could talk her way out and "handle" the interview herself. She was wrong...

[@brendakauffman2222]

They were arresting her that day with or without a confession, but agree, she should have immediately become non compliant. Just shows how psychopaths think they can outfox everyone. They think they can talk their way out of it.

[@paulabrown6840]

Can just imagine her heart rate when they told her about the DNA 😳! Notice she says “when she was killed...several times...but not murdered. Must feel like being hit by a semi 🚛!

[@haydentrudeau6816]

Paula Brown yes I've noticed it numerous times that I've listened to it

[@peggypeggy4137]

I know that DNA was used first during the 80's in England. This crime happened in 1986. I don't think DNA (in it's infancy) was widely known about in '86. Stephanie Lazarus must have been shtt'n her pants in those years before she got caught. I wonder if she was waiting for the bomb to drop.

[@patriciafoster3347]

The second the detective mentioned Johns name.

[@patriciafoster3347]

@@peggypeggy4137 if she hadn’t bitten her. She’d be free today

[@patriciafoster3347]

@@peggypeggy4137 Is why I tell my cats…don’t bite! 😽😽😽😽😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@rubyred6954]

It’s exactly disturbing, how a person like Stephanie, could BRUTALLY murder someone and then go on and just live life like a normal person, working, got married on the force for 27 years and yet all the while she K’d another person in such a horrific way. Sherri put up a fight and still it didn’t stop Stephanie. Not once did she think- I can’t follow through with this but not only did she follow through she just went in living life for YEARS like a normal, decent human being. These type of K’ers are truly scary wearing the mask of sanity. Psychologically fascinating and of course so tragic! Then to add insult to injury they never listened to the family and what they KNEW all along! The family imo by should have won their case but try and go up against law enforcement and regular people get screwed all the damn time! How do you get over all of that?! Can’t imagine the suffering her family has been through and still going through. RIP Sherri and god bless her grieving family

[@colene1635]

SL IS A Sociopath..She murdered Sherri in cold Blood.

[@miknmas1301]

I'd like to ring her bell!!!!! Crazy eyes!

[@scienceownsimposters2142]

haha

[@manjsher3094]

I've spent more than 5gb data to watch this 23 times, rewinds inc. fascinating.

[@fh346]

Manj Sher, Have you seen some of the other videos about Sherri Rasmussen? the reason I ask is because there are several other videos about her out there that are most interesting!!! She was truly a remarkable young lady. This world got cheated out of a very sweet special human being when she was murdered.

[@manjsher3094]

@@fh346 yes I look for them, just to see if anything new is dug up by KZbinrs. Always interesting to see all the different content on the same subject.

[@fh346]

@@manjsher3094 There is an EXCELLENT Book. It's Called "The Lazarus Files, A Cold Case Investigation" You Will See in its Over 500 Pages Things, Details, and KNOW Sherri Rasmussen BETTER than anyone. It is an incredibly interesting book and I would recommend it to anyone interested.

[@manjsher3094]

@@fh346 cheers Sir

[@miatap21]

Great video! The best I've heard on this case. It keep my interest and presented the case convincingly. Thanks!

[@geenal360]

She sure had HUGE balls to work with and as a cop- 23 plus years after she KILLLED-!

[@flickablebean582]

I watched the interrogation video of this and she just looks guilty the whole time, trying to seem so surprised about everything they ask her.

[@arizonahighways7287]

Her Tercel was broken into several times...because you know, Tercels are in high demand amongst thieves-

[@deannekliene2673]

She knew exactly what it was about.....I can't believe she went on arresting people and jailing them, some for misdemeanors, all along knowing she murdered a love rival.....John just couldnt say no to Stephanie so it cost him a beautiful very intelligent woman....rip Sherri....justice is served....

[@jkmjdm3629]

John's victim impact statement, regardless of my feelings about him, was beautifully written.

[@tonirobinson9556]

Sadly, if John would have been loyal to his wife, there would be no confusion. I dont think he should be held liable for her death, but he is a bit accountable for the outcome. Keep it in your pants, guys!

[@YlL-ji2sl]

@@tonirobinson9556 Well there is no way he could have predicted this outcome. He had sex with another woman while being engaged which is terrible but thats about it.

[@intriguingmind9435]

Morality played a big part he had no morals there for his actions caused his wife’s death! He picked up the snake and play with it his wife got bit! I hope he feels guilty the rest of he’s days!!!!!

[@gariejoyce5263]

Same here , i really felt for him in that moment. He will forever feel guilty that he played a major role in her death. When we’re young we do foolish things. No way did he think Lazarus was a psycho, and would kill his wife .

[@DuNnDuNn90]

I love when they have the interview/interrogation tapes

[@goodysmoothie6027]

She was only a few cops that didn't got away with their crimes.

[@ridwa]

after listening this go and watch this video by JCS - Criminal Psychology here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX22f4Ohm52Febc

[@xWILZTAx]

Err umm i i i don't know..... I guess 🤷‍♂️

[@dwgherkemasnurdbird4803]

59:00 and at the end of this process rest assured no one will be held accountable, suffer any consequences or even lose their job. But we ask the public to continue to have complete faith in the incompetent, inept, really criminal job we do to see that no police officer will ever had to pay for anything. Ever. Total, utter BS.

[@KS-PNW]

Stephanie's in prison so at least one was held accountable...

[@TheLukie222]

You would think that as a detective, she would have known her DNA would come back to bite her. Why didn't she look up the evidence and destroy it?

[@LadyOaksNZ]

she did... but the person didn't know where the DNA specimen was at - in the coroners office. All other evidence disappeared.

[@noellegunning3301]

@@LadyOaksNZ Thankfully it was in the Coroner's office.

[@dianelalonde544]

I agree with other individuals leaving comments. This report/casefile was very well done . Subscribed

[@Mark-l9k9q]

Stephanie Lazarus was recommended for parole in November 2023, so expect her to be released sometime in 2024. Just 12 years or so, for committing cold blooded murder. Currently, only 52% of murders are solved in the USA.

[@carriefawcett9990]

Hell hath no freaking fury than a jealous female who's obsessed with the man you're seeing. I know first hand, I ended up stabbed in the back three times, punctured lung, lost a lot of blood. I'm very lucky to be alive. 15 years later, I've forgiven my attacker and I'm no longer with the man at the centre of the shit storm. But I have a stunning 13 year old daughter who is horrified about the circumstances of how her fathers ex nearly killed me. Watch out for your man's ex, ladies. Be careful of any woman who won't let go. It's a red flag also that a man is still sleeping with them behind your back too. Be careful.

[@stephanieharries7746]

The rasmussen's are Sherry's family should really have sued John Rutten because he's the one that had I mean as sad as it is to say and it hurts me to have to say it is he kind of enabled it because he you know he did some things that opened up the path for for a demented police officer who should never become a police officer problematic mind that she could have a you know a relationship with him that would have overruled his marriage and then that caused her to use her her problem in her mind against his wife who was innocent so really they need to sue him

[@tabathalancaster-caine861]

One of my fav cases

[@scienceownsimposters2142]

Mine too

[@tonysansom]

Who the hell says "What year is it now?" unless they are so shocked that they can't think?

[@quamby1able]

#SchmeeedaFam 😎

[@Trisha_64001]

I've been searching for this type of KZbin channel for a while! Love it and just subscribed! ❤

[@pupados7544]

If you find another one as well. Message me please. Love love love this channel!

[@geoffm9944]

The LA police detectives, who initially were involved in the case did not, according to all the evidence, thoroughly investigate the murder of Sherri. It seems to the layman that the original investigation was far too superficial and slip shod! Yet, no police officers were disciplined! The husband in the case, presents a man who throughout this saga was extremely reticent to help the investigation. This was a tragic case.

[@geenal360]

Good job- thank you

[@stephaniemartinez706]

Excellent episode

[@veesea8889]

I've watched her interview-turned-arrest a few times. It's one of those things I like to watch just to get irritated at her false thinkings back, baaaaad acting, ridiculous faces and filler sounds. One day I'd like to play a drinking game, taking a shot every time she says "I mean..." "It was so long ago..." "This is crazy/nuts/insane...". Gonna be some drunk people that night!!!

[@dougbryant5417]

Shmeeda!

[@punkfish]

Man, I just got angrier with each minute of this podcast (great job, btw!). I'm generally ok with the police in general, but the incompetence...and now to read that, after only 11 years, on her 1st parole eligibility, parole was recommended!!! (Nov 29, 2023). I've read that the board has up to 120 days to say yes or no - but it's been 5 1/2 months, and I can't find anything new. Does anyone know?

[@lindafurr2404]

I feel like John was a gentle but naive man. He was not a strong- willed man. I honestly believe he is also a tortured man because of his association with Stephanie Lazarus.

[@vivians9392]

I understand he remarried, and Lazarus also married another cop...so, why bother killing his first wife, except for anything but the fact that she was the one John truly loved. Stephanie was narcissistic and couldn't accept rejection!

[@lotus-lotus]

@@vivians9392 Life can teach us, once Lazarus had enough experience of other relationships. I suspected she had some trauma when growing up, she has reputation of having hot tempter quick at times. For people with these attributes, they want to control their life, especially when inexperience with love relationship, especially the first deep relationship she wanted(to reflect their/her own value the best). I agree with the comment about John Rueton. He underestimated Lazarus' spiral down for losing control.

[@brendakauffman2222]

@@vivians9392 Cause in her mind if she got rid of Sherri she and John would get together. And in the mind of a psychopath if you take the person they want, you deserve to die and they have every right to kill you. Not normal thinking at all.

[@Larzaparz]

After watching the video on the Jennifer Pan case, I m all ears for every other video you make.

[@shirleyferber245]

A lot of details I was not aware of.

[@anitaholst7671]

She must have really been frightened with the leaps in dna forensic technology. I hope she lives to 100 in prison.

[@thesaneparty4079]

Her best bet was to use the 18 years to devise the story that She and Sherri didn't hit if off at first, but then actually started a lesbian affair. Sherri stayed home so they could have a naughty romp, during which the playful bite occurred. She later heard about the murder, and knew that she had been there just before, but couldn't say anything knowing it would reveal both of their secrets and also implicate her in the unfortunate crime.

[@Smokey66s]

MSNBC should hire you .

[@KS-PNW]

That's a pretty clever story. Might even have worked..

[@maidin5747]

Did you kill sherri? "It doesnt sound familiar"

[@stephanieharries7746]

😢 I can't believe that she could do the murder and then sit there and act like she didn't have any idea how it happened and stuff and of course I guess Her Mind is Playing Tricks on her and she knows she's guilty and all that but it's just it's unreal to hear her talk like that knowing that she had brutally murdered his wife

[@fantasiazplatkami]

the guy she was after was really handsome

[@MeDusa68]

Audio files on a video platform. Bleh

[@symmetrykidkun8]

I revisit this episode often. It’s so chilling how she tries to maintain a level of innocence and indignation at be a suspect when they have solid evidence against her. Cold.

[@jamesmac6189]

You think Jennifer was planning to kill Sherri

[@tanyafromjefferson5484]

Who’s Jennifer?

[@jamesmac6189]

@@tanyafromjefferson5484 sorry Stephanie

[@melaniephippen9563]

If the cops were absolutely, 100 percent sure that they had the murderer , then why bother with the interrogation and just not arrest her straight away .... it would have saved a lot of time

[@kerriemorris3155]

51.00 they did arrest her and charge her the min she left the interview room asking for a lawyer n brought her straight back in n read her her rights. She never left the building. They had to dis arm her id say as they knew well she was capable of anything as she was more than lightly a known psycho at the time n judging by the sounds of her interview she is fkn evil!!!

[@fh346]

Melanie Phippen. While Kerrie Morris I do Believe Answered Your Question, Let Me Point This Out Please. Any more incriminating evidence always helps to "Seal the deal" on a case. In the unlikely event she would have admitted it that would have helped their case. But the way she was nervous and squirming around in her interrogation rather helped incriminate her because she paired the demeanor of someone who was guilty. At least Mouse experts say that. Your first answer was correct the objective was to disarm her. Any extra they would have gotten would have been a bonus. Talk about being obsessed I am. With this case!!! LOL-LOL. I see Stephanie Lazarus as a woman who, aside from committing a god-awful murder, took Away from ALL of Us, (Those Who Met Sherri or Never fot that Chance) I truly see Stephanie Lazarus as a woman who sold from all of us a person who would have made this world a better place to live!! Thanks. Take Care.

[@martinsorenson1055]

Don't they always hope to get a confession? That plus the DNA would have been golden.

[@rainymctrixie1]

Hoping her words would further incriminate her, to be utilized in court.

[@1212matt]

Stephanie was unarmed when she went into the interrogation room she had left her gun in her office

[@KS-PNW]

No, she had it on her but they made her check it before they took her back to Intergate her.

[@1212matt]

@@KS-PNW No she was unarmed Her weapon was in her desk

[@brendajstevens3719]

👏👏👏

[@andrewspoto9378]

You can tell the first time she is asked if she knows John that she is guilty.

[@nancymcdermott5795]

It was a MILLION YEARS ago STEFANIE., so of course you wouldn't remember who would..... think about in your life of Prison.

[@newnana9070]

I always wondered why she never asked for a lawyer in the begining🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️. She knew she was guilty as hell. She knew she was caught!!!!!

[@donnam4730]

20+ years to come up with an alibi lol nothing

[@ausplus]

Totally busted!!!!!

[@janpatterson3969]

It's Amazing to me that a young, innocent woman can be brutally murdered and the only thing a lot of these commenters can focus on is the beauty, or lack thereof, of the murdered woman and the suspect in the case of the murder. I don't understand how people can be so shallow. It's really awful. Have some common decency, some empathy for the family of the deceased young woman. It's Terrible...

[@drewmadenew3000]

You must be pretty ugly. Is that why these comments offend you? Or are you one of those fake ass social justice warriors?

[@JB-ox7ib]

In many ways ‘looks’ were very significant in this case. John Ruetten used Stephanie Lazarus for a sexual relationship for many years, knowing she loved him, but he was never going to commit to her. He didn’t commit to her because she wasn’t good looking. He told s friend at college that she had a great body but not so much the face. Had Lazarus been prettier, she and Ruetten would most likely have been together... married in time. They had a lot in common and got on very well. When a big batch of cold cases landed on detective Nuttell’s desk, he looked at Sherri’s photo and was was struck by it and determined to get to the bottom of the case. Perhaps he was struck as Sherri’s beauty. Had it not been for that, maybe the case would still be waiting to be solved.

[@marial3231]

Good reply JB

[@melissaelswick6868]

Love love love u Shauna

[@annoftheoldbogroad1534]

The best analysis ever. Wish I had found you earlier. You covered so much in a factual logical way Love ya

[@guylawes]

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