His Jealous Ex Kept Showing Up…Then The Newlywed Bride Was Found Dead | Sherri Rasmussen

The LAPD initially focused on a 'burglary gone wrong' theory, influenced by other local break-ins and a stack of electronics found near the door. This led them to overlook critical details like the missing marriage license and dismiss Sherri's father's immediate suspicion of John's ex-girlfriend, an LAPD officer, as 'watching too many cop TV shows.'

Investigators found a stack of stereo and video equipment near the front door, suggesting a burglary [00:20:12]. Sherri's father, Nells, immediately brought up John's ex-girlfriend, a 'lady cop,' but was 'brushed off' by the investigator [00:34:06].

Decades after the murder, a cold case review utilizing new DNA technology found two DNA profiles from a bite mark on Sherri's arm. One belonged to Sherri, and the other, identified as XX, belonged to an unknown woman, completely dismantling the long-held theory that a male burglar or gang member was responsible.

In December 2004, a criminalist found two DNA profiles from a swab taken from the bite mark on Sherry's arm. The gender marker came back as XX, indicating the person who bit Sherry was a woman [00:39:14].

The new DNA evidence prompted a second investigation in 2007, leading detectives to re-examine the original case file. They found Stephanie Lazarus, John's ex-girlfriend and an LAPD officer, whose name was noted in connection to the case. Further investigation revealed her history of jealousy, a .38 caliber handgun (the murder weapon type) she owned and reported stolen shortly after the murder, and ultimately, her DNA matched the bite mark.

Stephanie Lazarus was listed as John's ex-girlfriend with a note 'PO' for police officer [00:42:11]. She owned a .38 caliber weapon, common for LAPD officers, and reported it stolen 13 days after Sherry's murder [00:48:00]. Covertly collected DNA from a discarded cup matched the bite mark on Sherry's arm [00:50:20].

During her interrogation, Stephanie Lazarus attempted to minimize her relationship with John and denied any significant interaction with Sherri. She maintained her innocence throughout her trial and for years in prison. However, in 2023, she finally admitted to killing Sherri during a parole hearing, a confession that coincided with new laws offering special parole consideration for crimes committed before age 26.

Stephanie minimized her relationship with John and claimed not to remember meeting Sherry [00:51:06]. She was convicted of first-degree murder in 2012 [01:06:40]. In November 2023, during a parole hearing, Stephanie admitted to killing Sherry for the first time [01:08:02].