Ep 10. The Case Behind the Billboards

In the season 5 episode 10 of Cold Justice, titled “The Case Behind the Billboards,” we follow the investigation of the unsolved murder of 26-year-old Sherri Rae Rasmussen. Rasmussen was a registered nurse who was found dead in the entryway of her home on February 24, 1986. She had been beaten and shot multiple times.

The investigation into Rasmussen’s murder was plagued with errors from the beginning. Initially, LAPD detectives considered the murder to be a burglary gone wrong. However, as more evidence was uncovered, it became clear that the motive for the murder was personal. Despite this, no suspects were ever identified or charged.

Rasmussen’s family has spent over 30 years seeking justice for her death. They contacted Cold Justice for help in 2018, and the team of experts led by former prosecutor Kelly Siegler and crime scene investigator Yolanda McClary began their investigation.

One of the key pieces of evidence in the case was a bite mark on Rasmussen’s arm. The original detectives had failed to properly document and preserve the bite mark evidence, which could have been crucial in identifying a suspect. However, using new forensic technology, the Cold Justice team is able to recover and analyze the bite mark evidence.

As the investigation progresses, a suspect emerges. The team discovers that Rasmussen had been in a love triangle with a man named John Ruetten, whom she later married, and a woman named Stephanie Lazarus. Lazarus was also a registered nurse and had been Ruetten’s ex-girlfriend. The Cold Justice team uncovers evidence that suggests that Lazarus had a motive for killing Rasmussen.

Lazarus had previously been questioned by the LAPD in connection with the murder, but was never considered a suspect. The Cold Justice team conducts a thorough investigation of Lazarus, and uncovers a trail of evidence that suggests that she may have been involved in Rasmussen’s murder. However, the evidence is circumstantial, and the team must work to prove the connection between Lazarus and Rasmussen’s death.

The team discovers that Lazarus had been promoted to the rank of detective shortly after the murder, and had risen through the ranks of the LAPD. She had been decorated for bravery and had been well-respected within the department. However, her co-workers had noticed that she was overly fixated on the Rasmussen case, and had even made inappropriate comments about it.

The Cold Justice team works tirelessly to gather more evidence, and eventually, their hard work pays off. They are able to link Lazarus to the bite mark on Rasmussen’s arm, and uncover other forensic evidence that suggests her involvement in the murder.

In the end, the team presents their evidence to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, and Lazarus is charged with Rasmussen’s murder. The case goes to trial, and after several months, Lazarus is convicted of the murder and sentenced to 27 years to life in prison.

“The Case Behind the Billboards” is a gripping episode of Cold Justice that highlights the importance of forensic evidence in solving cold cases. The episode serves as a reminder that justice can be elusive, but that with determination and hard work, it can eventually be achieved. The Cold Justice team’s dedication to finding the truth about Rasmussen’s murder is an inspiration, and their success in bringing a killer to justice is a testament to the power of perseverance.