Ep 3. Taken in the Night

In "The DNA of Murder with Paul Holes" season 1 episode 3, titled "Taken in the Night", viewers are taken deep into the investigation of a baffling case of a missing woman named Sherri Rasmussen.

Rasmussen, a 29-year-old newlywed, was reported missing in February of 1986 after her husband found her lifeless body in their home. Her death was initially thought to be a result of a burglary gone wrong - the Los Angeles Police Department determined that the couple's home had been broken into, and that Rasmussen had been beaten to death by an intruder.

The case went cold for nearly a decade, until the LAPD's Cold Case Unit decided to take another look in the mid-1990s. That's when Det. Lyle Mayer discovered a file that had been misplaced, and a DNA sample from the suspect was found. This sample helped to solve the case a decade later.

The episode is led by retired investigator Paul Holes, who takes viewers through the exhaustive investigation into Rasmussen's murder, which lasted more than 20 years. His impressive experience in the field of homicide investigations brings a unique perspective to the episode, with his years of hard-earned knowledge and expertise on display throughout.

We see Holes talk to other investigators involved in the case, including forensic experts and other former LAPD detectives who offer their insights into the investigation. They discuss the various roadblocks and missteps that hindered the investigation over the years, including questionable evidence collection and processing tactics.

The episode also explores the victim's personal life, offering a glimpse into the lives of Rasmussen and her husband, who may have had less than harmonious relationships with one another. Viewers are given a well-rounded view of what led up to Rasmussen's senseless murder, and how the LAPD finally brought her killer to justice.

Fans of true crime will be riveted by this fascinating look into the investigation of a long-unsolved crime. "The DNA of Murder with Paul Holes" season 1 episode 3, "Taken in the Night," sheds light on the tireless work of homicide detectives in the face of elusive evidence and enduring mysteries.