LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus allegedly threatened victim in slaying case

About a month before LAPD Det. Stephanie Lazarus allegedly beat and shot to death the wife of an ex-boyfriend, she confronted the woman at work and told her, "If I can't have John, nobody can," according to a lawyer for the victim's family.

The victim's father, Nel Rasmussen, told LAPD homicide detectives about the alleged confrontation and others in the months before the slaying, but he was rebuffed and told by the investigators "repeatedly that he was watching too much TV," attorney John C. Taylor said today.

Police have not responded to the family's claims.

After the arrest last week of Lazarus in the 1986 killing of Sherri Rae Rasmussen, her father has come forward to criticize the original investigation into the death. He has accused the detectives in the case of ignoring his pleas to pursue the possibility that Lazarus -- who had dated the victim's husband, John Ruetten, and was then a young LAPD patrol officer -- was the killer.

Along with the alleged confrontation at Glendale Adventist Medical Center, where Sherri Rae Rasmussen worked, her father also told detectives about an alleged incident shortly before the slaying, in which Lazarus allegedly "gained entry [into the couple's Van Nuys condominium] without breaking in, dressed in her LAPD uniform," Taylor said.

Days after the slaying, another woman in the area was robbed by two men at gunpoint, and the detectives in the Rasmussen case pursued the theory that the men were also responsible for killing the 29-year-old hospital nursing director.

Taylor, however, said at a news conference today after Lazarus' first court appearance that the only thing taken from the couple's condominium was their marriage license.

Lazarus' arraignment was postponed until July 6.

Retired detective Lyle Mayer, the lead investigator in the original case, said in an interview with The Times that he never questioned Lazarus in the case and that when he retired in 1991, he still believed Sherri Rae Rasmussen had been killed by burglars.

-- Joel Rubin and Andrew Blankstein

Related:

LAPD detective charged 23 years after being suggested as a suspect in slaying

Veteran detective's arrest in 1986 killing stuns the LAPD

From the archives: Murder of Sherri Rae Rasmussen

Photos: LAPD Det. Stephanie Lazarus, 49, appears in Los Angeles court for her arraignment on murder charges today. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[catwoman]

"...the only thing taken from the couple's condominium was their marriage license."
Who takes a marriage license in a burglary/murder???
Hell hath no fury like a policewoman scorned.
She's guilty!!

[LAPD Critic]

It doesn't surprise me one bit. Citizens in the city keep talking about how dirty the cops are, but no one wants to hear those words. They protect their own and seemingly do no wrong! Not true. They should be held to the same low standards the inner city minorites are held to. No matter what you do you are a criminal and you should serve the maximum sentence up to and including death. They break more laws then average people. The law says put your seat belt on. Check the cop sitting next to you at light see if he/she is wearing one. The law says no cell phone use while you are driving unless it's hands-free. Check the cop riding down the street with the phone up to his/her ear. I hope they catch the rest of those dirty cops and give them their just do!

[Larry Anaheim]

Wow. LAPD Detective Lazarus got away with murder for 23 years? Nice work, LAPD. Good hire. Nice retention. Excellent promotion (from patrol officer to detective). And, oh by the way, great cover up.

But I gotta wonder, do all the folks convicted in the last 23 years by the testimony of LAPD Detective Stephanie Lazarus now get a new trial because LAPD Detective Stephanie Lazarus is a murderer and liar whose honesty, integrity and credibility are now revealed to be utterly non-existent?

Nice going, LAPD. Keep up the good work.

[paul]

She's got those crazy run-away bride eyes.

[LA Woman]

The code of silence. This "cop" has had 23 years to live her life, unlike the victim.

[Brian]

Stick a fork in this Copper...she's DONE-DIZZLE!

[SgtJohnMStryker]

Here's another shoddy investigation and arrest by the infamous LAPD Homicide Bureau. Unless Lazarus made a statement after Miranda, LAPD will have very little of a case. DNA is scientific evidence of Lazarus' possible appearance at the scene of the crime, but it is not the case. Maybe a 20+ year circumstantial motive may convince some folks, but it's just a maybe.....I believe Bratton and Cooley will look like smucks after this case goes to the jury... This is clear a circumstantial case and Cooley is apparently shooting from the hip on this one..... A Verdict of Not Guilty will ultimately be rendered a year or so from today........

[M]

The family went to the police about one of their own.... I'm wondering if they had went to anyone else, councilman, congress, heck I don't know, anyone else besides the police department, would this case have been solved years ago? Not trying to blame the victim's family, just wondering if something could have been done years ago.

[anotherwhiner]

The only difference between cops and criminals is that the cops work for us. Whether a cop is ever investigated for a crime depends more what is happening behind the scenes than whether "justice" is served.

[Tom]

Definitely got the crazy eyes.....nice duality in the personality

[Paul]

The LAPD of the 80's was nothing less than a massive criminal enterprise. Countless officers retired early on drug profits and trafficking stolen merch.

This is just the tip of their legacy of corruption.

[PCM]

When she first steps out into the yard, can we watch the pay-per-view?

[Sabrina]

Good lord. People can call it a "crime of passion" but I say she's a total loony toons. What a psycho! Fry her!

[Robert Gentry]

Wow, LAPD critic take your haladol and take it right now. And once you calm down, actually pick up the vehicle code and check out a few things such as...Law enforcement and fire personnel are not required to wear a seatbelt while operating an emergency vehicle. Also, law enforcement officers on duty are exempt from the cell phone law. Maybe those two pieces of information will help you let go of some of that anger.

[Frank]

It took a generation to finally stop covering it up. When the case first started, her fellow officers coverd it up and it took this long for some good person to finally exposed what went wrong, but is still covering up the people who first coverd up this case.

All government officials are corupt.

[j-Dub]

All those that had part in the cover up should be put on trial. I think a lot of them knew what happened (ballistics probably showed it was one of them) and they protected one of their own. I'm willing to bet this is not the an isolated case....who else in this city can get away with murder but a cop.

[Gen]

I agree with the comment above, police officers using cell phones etc. In my opinion officers are a glorified gang. They drive around in their squad cars harrasing people asking questions like "Where are you from" and following slowly in there squad cars just like gang bangers. It seem so obvious that if the only thing missing was a marriage licence and threats to the victim that this detective (police officer at the time) was and is guilty...

[Albert]

Sherri Rasmussen's case has seemingly been solved. How about re-opening the Bobby Fuller case?

[Lou Abraha]

The LAPD,L.A. county Sheriff and many other PDs in the L.A. county are nothing but gangs with badges and licence to kill. They are there to protect the rich and famous and harass the poor and working toilers.
L.A. is a weird place.If you are not rich and white you are worth nothing.

[Warren]

The "boys" in blue always protect their own unless their own is turning against them. I agree that the "boys" in blue is nothing more than a street gang who does more good than bad for the public.

[Jose]

As USUAL...LAPD protecting one of their OWN at the risk of safety and well being for the citizens whom they WORK FOR!!!!!

I hope the family sues the LAPD for hundreds of millions in damages!!!!!!

[Warren]

Hopefully, Detective Lazarus has a lot more assets than what she had in the 80s. That way the Rasmussen family can get a nice settlement from their wrongful death lawsuit.

[Steve]

Stephanie Lazarus is biting her lips with those crazy eyes because she know she is now nailed - no going back. Stupid enough to stay with LAPD. Give her the death penalty - she surely deserves it.

[Adam Smith]

Ah, the kinder gentler sex. Woman drowns her 6 children in Texas, she gets happy pills and basket weaving for life.

What will the LAPD detective get? Full retirement benefits and a psych disability?

[Dirk]

This will make for a compelling movie someday.

[Ruby Jackson]

The truth always eventually comes out.

[Daniel Lion]

Sometimes the US is like the third world, but hey! The police, they are all 'heroes', this sub-fascist romanticization of people in uniform needs to stop, where are we? Germany 1939? In no other Western country do the police get away with the kind of incompetence and carnage as is displayed repeatedly by the LAPD, NYPD or who ever. Remember McArthur park and the riot beatings of the press corps and families! It is a disgrace! Mud on your face!

[Matt Long]

To pursue a person 23 years after a murder seems like a waste of money and emotions.

The government has no sense of prudence whether spending money on today's issues or issues of 23 years ago.

The family of the murdered victim cannot feel good about this unless they are narcissists and like the LA Times talking to them. It is a shameless and ridiculous act to prosecute this woman.

Somewhere in the City of Angels someone is being murdered right now. Let's deal with today.

[Smi2le]

I think Californians are begining to realize that having the highest paid police officers in the world is no guarantee of having the best police officers in the world. Unfortunately it does however guarantee insolvency.

[K2]

I'd like to have some sympathy for Det. Lazarus, but I don't. She deserves to be prosecuted and the LAPD should be ashamed at the way they mishandled this. As if a cop couldn't possibly commit a crime! How many cops slap their wives around? Do they conveniently cover that up, too? Of course they do.

Most everybody's been in a romantic situation that didn't work out. Sure you're mad and jealous, but you don't go and kill the person unless you have some serious psychological problems. How interesting that her rage was reserved for poor Rasmussen, and not the actual man that dumped her. Easier to take it out on another woman, I guess.

Honestly, this story is just sickening. My heart goes out to the family of the innocent woman who was harassed, murdered, and betrayed by justice.

As for Lazarus: throw away the key.

[Rake]

how many more murderers are on the LAPD?

[Elidet]

@Matt Long

I'll remember that if you should ever lose a loved on. I'll remind them how you think it's a waste of resources to pursue anything.

[LAPD Critic]

Mr. Gentry...my anger as you call it is just hard and fast TRUTH. Try talking to some of the folks who live in South L. A. before you label a person angry. I grew up watching cops do wrong just because they could get away with it. By the way, the vehicle code does not exempt Police. There is an exemption for EMERGENCY vehicles/personnel...Fire and Rescue. At what point is Mr. Johnny Law an emergency vehicle? Is that when he's just tolling around in his car looking for the nearest donut shop? Make sure you really have a good grasp on the Vehicle code. As always cops try and be above the law or twist to fit what they are doing at the moment. That's how she got caught!

[inquiring mind]

If it is true the DNA evidence the cops have on Lazarus came from bite maks on the victim's flesh, I can't wait to hear the defense on that. And the quote that the only item taken from the victim's place was a marriage license....who would steal that? Please, give me a break. And the BMW was found later on parked somewhere. Oh yeah, and conveniently there was a robbery a couple of months later that was in the same neighborhood. Gee, doesn't take a genius to figure this one out. It's amazing, though, that someone could take another's life in a violent manner as this poor victim's life was taken, and then live their life like nothing ever happened. Wonder what the defendant's family thinks of all this?

[Ruby Jackson]

Wow, Matt, that's a really insensitive thing to say. Have you ever heard of the word "Closure"? Do you understand the meaning of "Justice". The victims family is still grieving. Would you tell them they should be over it by now? Apparently you have lived a fortunate and trauma free life if you can't understand why this needs to be pursued.

[letsseeyoudoit.]

Obviously the majority of the people who commented on this subject are living with the heads buried in the sand. Every day they step out of their houses hoping that nothing bad will happen to them or their loved ones. Well, that isn't the case. The detective deserves to be prosecuted just like any other person. But equating Police officers to gangmembers is the most ridiculous thing I have heard. The next time you hear a strange noise in the middle of the night or someone tries to steal your property, try calling the fire department, maybe they will help.
You people complain when you receive a traffic citation, you complain "don't the police have anything better to do." But when some idiot is speeding down your street or disobeying traffic laws who are the first people you call, that's right the police. I'll suggest something, try living without the police for one day. Let's see you big tough people handle the situations on your own!

[Daniel Lion]

Lazarus will say the victim made a move for her waistband, and that she felt threatened,' something that looked like a gun'. She had to shoot, she had to. Happens every day, just another hero doing her job.

Great LA Times story on the LAPD
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gangsters26-2008oct26,0,488692.story

[Cristina]

What I don't understand is, wasn't Sherri Rasmussen's husband interviewed after the murder? I would think if she was being stalked and harassed by her husband's ex-girlfriend (Lazarus), she would have told her husband about it. The only thing I read about the husband was that he told the investigators that Lazarus was "just an acquaintance." Was he covering up something?

[Mary]

Were dental impressions valid evidence back in 1986?

[piglett]

LAPD of yesterday knew she did it didnt matter cuz she was a cop LAPD today knows she did it and it matters to them today she is a dead duck

[paul]

is it dangerous to post all this ..cause cops are still watching over this too! i heard that some cops even take advantage of pulling drunk drivers over too!! i only heard ,this one guy was missing a couple thousand in cash when he was pulled over . how can the people stop this from the bad cops . does internal affairs really exist?

[Walter]

Letsseeyoudoit:

There have been many cases where the LAPD has acted like a bunch of gangbangers. I grew up in the Rampart Division. Look that one up. I also have a family member that loves to drink. His response during family parties." I'm an officer. If I get pulled over by one of my own, I'll get escorted home like a VIP. "

How do you like them apples?

[Jamie Jones]

This is unfortunate. No one is happy that this person, who is LA PD or not, got away with this crime for so many years. DNA evidence was what brought the crime to light and dont forget the police department is who investigated the crime and brought the alledged murderer to the DA's office.

This woman, Stephanie Lazarus, will easily be one of the most hated women in Los Angeles, and if this it brought to national attention, then one of the most hated women in America.
I have no compasion for Stephanie Lazarus, and the death penalty sounds like a fitting end to her life, if she is found to be guilty.
I would hope for the sake of LA PD, that she would plead guilty to the crime.

[BWilly]

"DNA is scientific evidence of Lazarus' possible appearance at the scene of the crime, but it is not the case"

Yah right! She somehow appeared at the scene of the crime and left her DNA in the bite marks on the victim but she did not commit the crime? Unless, the jury is made up of her relatives, she is fried! Done!

[JoeQ]

Voted most likely to succeed at snuffing he exes BFs:

http://www.greatalumni.com/classmates/detail-public/photo-yearbook/index.cfm?Classmate=2528028

[Lucy]

This is such a shame. She was in health care like myself.

I'm surprised the crazy LAPD girlfriend didn't take a trip down to the evidence room over the years and tamper with the evidence or get rid of it to cover her ass "just in case".

I wonder if she was getting nervous as the years went on and DNA and technology became more advanced.She must have thought about the possibility of them reopening the case.

There's some very strange things about this case like the husband's passive nature while his poor wife was being visited by his crazy ex even at her work.

Have you seen this nut jobs eyes and face in her orange jump suit in court. The last time I saw those kind of eyes was on Charles Manson.

What baffles me is neither one of them called the cops when she became a frequent visitor to their condo letting herself in and wearing her LAPD uniform. It's noted they had a state of the art security system. How was she getting in without this going off? Both times this happened the husband was gone but the new wife was home alone.The second time was when she killed her.

The ex LAPD Girl friend is harassing his new wife at her work terrorizing the poor woman and breaking into the condo.and he's doing nothing to help his wife WOW, He's pretty passive don't you think? If I was him I'd have been livid enough to take action against the ex. I'd have warned her the first time that I'd have go straight to her Commanding officer at the LAPD and Internal affairs if she didn't back off and leave her alone! I would also made sure to get an order of protection against her if she continued after the first warning for me and the wife. Was he scared of her too?

What a nightmare for that poor young wife to deal with a psycho cop abusing her power. I say let her FRY! I'm with Patsy. I have no sympathy for this cold hearted bitch. She went on living her life for 23 after she killed this woman.Sounds like a cold blooded sociopath to me. She just moving on with out a care in the world and pointing her hypocritical finger at civilians who break the law for 23 years and all the while she had blood on her hands.

That Shari was a pretty lady and this one looks like hell. I have no idea what she looked like 23 years ago but she just looks crazy now,maybe karma is getting to her Psyche,and who's to say if she has a conscience.It's not like the victim just was shot,she was bitten all over,brutally beaten and then shot! It doesn't take Sherlock homes to figure this case out,and realize this was personal and a crime of passion and one the victim probably knew,but never mind the LAPD ignoring all these clues and never interviewing this officer after the father pleaded with them after the first meeting telling the how his daughter feared for her life because of this ex LAPD girlfriend's threats and condo break ins. That's ridiculous and I don;t blame his anger. They didn't even interview her.

The marriage license is the only thing stolen out of the condo after she kills her,COME ON. DA!

I hope justice is served cold for this disgrace to the badge.
in health care like myself.

[Lucy]

ALSO people need to stop lumping all LAPD into the same category as this wacko.You guys need to realize these kind of clever personalites make their way into every profession and walk of life. They're some teaches,doctors you name it! Depsite the screening process before or during the academy they sometimes make it in. It's hard to pick these people out,they don't walk around with fangs and their almost always described as 'nice and friendly" by neighbors or friends becasue there has been no reason for them to show their very dark side or the don't feel threatened.It's not until their confronted to their true nature or backed against a wall that people see thier real side.The side they try t ocover up by making chocolate covered cherries for everyone in their culdac in the burbs.

The point is the LAPD had a bad apple

[Fleabell]

I can't believe they thought some male burglars would want a marriage license. This said "female killer" all over it.

[Deborah Parker]

Sherri Rasmussen was a lovely, warm, bright and happy newlywed. She was also my nursing supervisor at Glendale Adventist Hospital, and you could not have asked for a more fair and supportive person to work for. Her gruesome murder was a horrible shock to us all, and seemed absolutely senseless. I attended the memorial service at our hospital, and her murder has haunted me for years. My ex-husband , coincidentally was one of the LAPD Robbery/Homicide investigators on this case, and when I asked him about it, he said she was a victim of a random home invasion, and that she was murdered, and her car stolen. I was told she was severely beaten and that she had fought hard for her life, but never told about her being shot. Never any mention about any suspects that were known. The case has been a cold case for so long...I never expected it to be solved. Imagine how stunned I was to hear today that the case has been solved, and that it was one of LAPD's finest who killed my friend. Finally, there is closure for her family and friends. For the person who posted why reopen an old 23 year old case.....aren't you glad to know that this woman who killed her is now off of the police department? Don't you think her family deserves closure? There is no statuate of limitations on murder....and if the LAPD was covering this up whoever is responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and fired from the force. May Stephanie Lazarus and her very sick, violent mind be prosecuted for this terrible crime...the death penalty is too good for her. Of course, it will be called a "crime of passion" and she will plead to a manslaughter charge! I feel very sorry for her family and child, but certainly not for her. She showed no pity for Sherri, whose only "crime" was falling in love with John Ruetten, and marrying him. Have to wonder why she wasn't actively pursued as a likely suspect and it took 23 years before they could prove it. LAPD is a very good police force, one of the very best in the Nation, and there are bad apples in every profession., What is sad is how she managed to slip by and work as a detective for so long.....who knows what other crimes this sociopath committed in the last 23 years! I will be following this case closely, and waiting to see how the facts and investigation shake down. And I will reserve judgement of the LAPD until I know the details. Being a police officer is a very hard job, so please don't paint them all as corrupt and evil, the majority are caring, honest, and hard-working, and don't deserve this bad publicity. It says something that someone in the department took the time to dig up this "cold" case and solved this senseless crime, and for that, I am very grateful.

[Bing]

LAPD has done a great job even though it is 23 years too late. It is far certain she would be convicted. 23 years can erase a lot of memories and evidences. I actually think Stephanie Lazarus would eventually get away with murder. She knows all the tricks. I am happily surprised at that LAPD actually made an effort to catch her given the fact that she has been a widely liked woman at LAPD.