Forty years after the murder of Sherri Rasmussen, Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes examines how her case became a lasting symbol of systemic failure and delayed justice. Vanessa and Carter explore the cold case revival, the explosive evidence uncovered decades later, and the uncomfortable implic…Forty years after the murder of Sherri Rasmussen, Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes examines how her case became a lasting symbol of systemic failure and delayed justice. Vanessa and Carter explore the cold case revival, the explosive evidence uncovered decades later, and the uncomfortable implications for law enforcement accountability. Why did it take so long for the truth to emerge—and what does that delay reveal about power and protection within institutions? On this milestone anniversary, the case forces a hard reckoning with how justice can be compromised—and what it takes to finally set it right.
If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios
🎧 Need More to Binge?
Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts!
Follow me on Social
Instagram: @Crimehouse
TikTok: @Crimehouse
Facebook: @crimehousestudios
X: @crimehousemedia
YouTube: @crimehousestudios
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesmore
On the 40-year anniversary of Sherri Rasmussen’s murder, Murder: True Crime Stories continues the story of a case that refused to stay buried. Carter and Vanessa examine the decades-long fight for justice, as ignored evidence, stalled leads, and mounting frustration finally give way to a shocking br…On the 40-year anniversary of Sherri Rasmussen’s murder, Murder: True Crime Stories continues the story of a case that refused to stay buried. Carter and Vanessa examine the decades-long fight for justice, as ignored evidence, stalled leads, and mounting frustration finally give way to a shocking breakthrough. As forensic science advances and old assumptions are challenged, the investigation exposes deep flaws within the system meant to protect victims. This episode reflects on the cost of delayed accountability—and how perseverance ultimately brought long-overdue answers in a case that defined institutional failure for an entire generation.
If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios
🎧 Need More to Binge?
Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts!
Follow me on Social
Instagram: @Crimehouse
TikTok: @Crimehouse
Facebook: @crimehousestudios
YouTube: @crimehousestudios
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesmore
Marking the 40-year anniversary of Sherri Rasmussen’s murder, Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes revisits a case defined by power, proximity, and unanswered questions. Vanessa is joined by Carter Roy, host of Murder: True Crime Stories, to break down the earliest moments of the investigation—and t…Marking the 40-year anniversary of Sherri Rasmussen’s murder, Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes revisits a case defined by power, proximity, and unanswered questions. Vanessa is joined by Carter Roy, host of Murder: True Crime Stories, to break down the earliest moments of the investigation—and the assumptions that steered it off course. From a rushed burglary narrative to overlooked personal motives, the discussion explores how institutional loyalty and perception may have clouded the search for truth. Four decades later, the origins of this case still raise disturbing questions about who was protected—and why.
If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios
🎧 Need More to Binge?
Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts!
Follow me on Social
Instagram: @Crimehouse
TikTok: @Crimehouse
Facebook: @crimehousestudios
X: @crimehousemedia
YouTube: @crimehousestudios
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesmore
On the 40-year anniversary of the murder of Sherri Rasmussen, Murder: True Crime Stories revisits the beginning of a case that would haunt Los Angeles for decades. Carter is joined by Vanessa Richardson, host of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, to explore Sherri’s life, her new marriage, and th…On the 40-year anniversary of the murder of Sherri Rasmussen, Murder: True Crime Stories revisits the beginning of a case that would haunt Los Angeles for decades. Carter is joined by Vanessa Richardson, host of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, to explore Sherri’s life, her new marriage, and the volatile love triangle unfolding just out of sight. What was initially labeled a burglary gone wrong quickly reveals deeper warning signs—obsession, jealousy, and investigative blind spots that shaped the case from day one. Four decades later, this episode examines how early assumptions and missed red flags set the stage for one of the most troubling failures of justice in modern true crime history.
If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Murder True Crime Stories to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios
🎧 Need More to Binge?
Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts!
Follow me on Social
Instagram: @Crimehouse
TikTok: @Crimehouse
Facebook: @crimehousestudios
YouTube: @crimehousestudios
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesmore
In 1986, 29-year-old Sherri Rasmussen was just starting her married life when she was brutally murdered in her Van Nuys home. The LAPD called it a “burglary gone bad,” ignoring red flags pointing to one of their own for years. Detective Stephanie Lazarus might have gotten away with it if she hadn’t …In 1986, 29-year-old Sherri Rasmussen was just starting her married life when she was brutally murdered in her Van Nuys home. The LAPD called it a “burglary gone bad,” ignoring red flags pointing to one of their own for years. Detective Stephanie Lazarus might have gotten away with it if she hadn’t left behind a key piece of evidence.more
When John Ruetten failed to get hold of his wife, Sherri Rasmussen, on February 24th 1986, he knew something was wrong. What had started as a normal day would end in tragedy, and the long hunt for a killer would begin.
Get your tickets for CrimeCon London using our code TRULY10
See you there!
htt…When John Ruetten failed to get hold of his wife, Sherri Rasmussen, on February 24th 1986, he knew something was wrong. What had started as a normal day would end in tragedy, and the long hunt for a killer would begin.
Get your tickets for CrimeCon London using our code TRULY10
In 1986 Sherri Rasmussen was brutally murdered in her own home. She was a young nurse who had already worked her way to becoming the director of nursing at Glendale Adventist Medical Center and had just gotten married three months earlier. But when her husband John returned home on February 24th, 19…In 1986 Sherri Rasmussen was brutally murdered in her own home. She was a young nurse who had already worked her way to becoming the director of nursing at Glendale Adventist Medical Center and had just gotten married three months earlier. But when her husband John returned home on February 24th, 1986 he found her laying dead on their living room floor and their home absolutely ransacked. Was this a case of robbery gone wrong or was someone in a position of power responsible?
Thank you to the no no no....notorious David White for research assistance:
Archibold, Randal. 2009. "Police Find Unlikely Suspect in a Cold Case: One of Their Own." New York Times, June 13: A11.
Bowden, Mark. 2012. "A Case So Cold It Was Blue." Vanity Fair, July.
McGough, Matthew. 2011. "The Lazarus File." The Atlantic, June.
Mikulan, Steven. 2012. "In plan sight: Stephanie Lazarus was an exemplary cop. She is also a murderer." Los Angeles Magazine, September.
New York Times. 2009. "California: detective must stand trial in 1986 killing." New York Times, December 11.
—. 2009. "California: Detective's Motion Denied." New York Times, December 8.
O'Neill, Ann. 2012. A bite, bullet and broken heart: Former LA cop stands trial for murder. February 8. Accessed November 11, 2022. https://www.cnn.com/2012/02/07/justice/lazarus-trial-cold-case/index.html.
People v. Lazaus. 2015. B241172 (Court of Appeal, Second District, Division 4, California, June 13).
Rasmussen v. City of L.A. 2012. B234731 (Los Angeles County Superior Court, November 15).more
Ep 83: For 23 years, the unsolved murder of this women was thought to be the result of a burglary gone wrong. The case would remain cold until 2009 when DNA evidence pointed to someone in very close proximity to the investigation.
Sherri Rasmussen story.
Sources for Today's Episode:
https://www.va…Ep 83: For 23 years, the unsolved murder of this women was thought to be the result of a burglary gone wrong. The case would remain cold until 2009 when DNA evidence pointed to someone in very close proximity to the investigation.
Sherri Rasmussen story.
Sponsors:
(thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)
Green Chef -
Credits:
• Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks
• Produced and Edited by James Varga
• Music by Dessert Media
Show your Support:
The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience!
You can also support the show through the following ways:
Follow Us on Social: YouTube | Instagram | Tik Tok | Facebook | Reddit | Twitter
Patron - ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade to get an extra episode every month, exclusive AMAs with the hosts, lecture series on criminal justice, our true crime book club, and more!
Check out our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime
Apple Subscriptions - Ad-free shows are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $1.99 a month.
Merchandise - For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out: https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merch
Help is Available:
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.
For direct links to organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/
Keywords: love triangle, cold case, John Ruetten, Stephanie Lazurus, LAPD, Cop. DNA,
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesmore
When Sherri Rasmussen is found murdered, police are convinced it’s a burglary gone wrong. The case remains unsolved for over two decades until another detective finds the key that unlocks the mystery of what actually happened to her. Josh Mankiewicz reports.
On this episode of MWMH, Payton and Garrett discuss the murder of Sherri Rasmussen.
LIVE ONLINE SHOW TICKETS HERE! https://www.moment.co/murderwithmyhusband
Case Sources:
48 hours – One of Their Own https://www.cbsnews.com/news/48-hours-mystery-one-of-their-own/
https://filmdaily.co/news/stephanie…On this episode of MWMH, Payton and Garrett discuss the murder of Sherri Rasmussen.
LIVE ONLINE SHOW TICKETS HERE! https://www.moment.co/murderwithmyhusband
Case Sources:
48 hours – One of Their Own https://www.cbsnews.com/news/48-hours-mystery-one-of-their-own/
https://filmdaily.co/news/stephanie-lazarus/
https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/07/lapd-lazurus-murder-mystery-killer
https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-stephanie-lazarus-now/
Links:
https://linktr.ee/murderwithmyhusband
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/murderwithmyhusband)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesmore
In 1986, Stephanie Lazarus was an LAPD officer who murdered her ex-boyfriend's wife, Sherri Rasmussen. Lazarus was still infatuated with her ex, John Ruetten, and decided to execute the woman she thought was her romantic rival. She used her police training to make the murder look like a robbery.
Jo…In 1986, Stephanie Lazarus was an LAPD officer who murdered her ex-boyfriend's wife, Sherri Rasmussen. Lazarus was still infatuated with her ex, John Ruetten, and decided to execute the woman she thought was her romantic rival. She used her police training to make the murder look like a robbery.
Join Mike and Gibby as they discuss the murder of Sherri Rasmussen committed by Stephanie Lazarus. From the start, police were stuck on the theory that Sherri was killed by one or multiple burglars. Many people have said this caused them to not interview key witnesses or even take a hard look at John's ex-girlfriend. It took cold case investigators, over 20 years later, to put the pieces of the puzzle together. And when they did all signs pointed to Stephanie Lazarus. But, they had to tread carefully to take down one of their own.
You can help support the show at patreon.com/truecrimeallthetime
Visit the show's website at truecrimeallthetime.com for contact, merchandise, and donation information
An Emash Digital production
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.more
A deeply-reported, riveting account of a cold case murder in Los Angeles, unsolved until DNA evidence implicated a shocking suspect – a female detective within the LAPD’s own ranks.
On February 24, 1986, 29-year-old newlywed Sherri Rasmussen was murdered in the home she shared with her husband, Joh…A deeply-reported, riveting account of a cold case murder in Los Angeles, unsolved until DNA evidence implicated a shocking suspect – a female detective within the LAPD’s own ranks.
On February 24, 1986, 29-year-old newlywed Sherri Rasmussen was murdered in the home she shared with her husband, John. The crime scene suggested a ferocious struggle, and police initially assumed it was a burglary gone awry. Before her death, Sherri had confided to her parents that an ex-girlfriend of John’s, a Los Angeles police officer, had threatened her. The Rasmussens urged the LAPD to investigate the ex-girlfriend, but the original detectives only pursued burglary suspects, and the case went cold.
DNA analysis did not exist when Sherri was murdered. Decades later, a swab from a bite mark on Sherri’s arm revealed her killer was in fact female, not male. A DNA match led to the arrest and conviction of veteran LAPD Detective Stephanie Lazarus, John’s onetime girlfriend.
The Lazarus Files delivers the visceral experience of being inside a real-life murder mystery. McGough reconstructs the lives of Sherri, John and Stephanie; the love triangle that led to Sherri’s murder; and the homicide investigation that followed. Was Stephanie protected by her fellow officers? What did the LAPD know, and when did they know it? Are there other LAPD cold cases with a police connection that remain unsolved? THE LAZARUS FILES: A Cold Case Investigation-Matthew McGough Follow and comment on Facebook-TRUE MURDER: The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064697978510Check out TRUE MURDER PODCAST @ truemurderpodcast.com more
When 29-year-old Sherri Rasmussen married the love of her life, John Ruetten, the future looked promising. But just three months after their wedding, Sherri was found shot to death in the couples Van Nuys apartment. One thing was clear – Sherri had fought for her life until the very end...
---
Ass…When 29-year-old Sherri Rasmussen married the love of her life, John Ruetten, the future looked promising. But just three months after their wedding, Sherri was found shot to death in the couples Van Nuys apartment. One thing was clear – Sherri had fought for her life until the very end...
---
Assisted in research and co-written by Anna Priestland
For all credits and sources please visit casefilepodcast.com/case-42-sherri-rasmussen
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.more
