Cold Case Love: The Tragic Rivalry of Sherri and Stephanie

This is a tragic story of a promising life cut short by a toxic obsession and a justice system that took over two decades to uncover the truth. At its center is Sherri Rasmussen, a remarkably bright and ambitious woman who had achieved significant professional success by her mid-twenties. Born into a close-knit family, Sherri was a high achiever from a young age, skipping two grades and entering university at just sixteen to pursue a career in nursing. By the age of twenty-seven, she had risen to the position of director of nursing, a testament to her dedication and empathy.
In 1984, Sherri met John Ruetten, an engineer, and the two quickly fell in love. Their relationship progressed rapidly, leading to an engagement and a wedding in November 1985. However, their happiness was shadowed by the presence of Stephanie Lazarus, a woman John had known since college. While John viewed his past relationship with Stephanie as a casual, "no-strings-attached" friendship, Stephanie was deeply obsessed with him.
The tension escalated when Stephanie, who had become a police officer, began stalking and confronting Sherri. In one chilling encounter at the hospital where Sherri worked, Stephanie reportedly told her, "If I can't have John, no one can". Despite Sherri’s growing unease and reports of someone following her, the threat was largely dismissed by those around her, including John, who believed Stephanie was harmless.
On February 24, 1986, only three months after the wedding, the tragedy occurred. Sherri had stayed home from work due to back pain. When John returned home that evening, he found the garage door open and Sherri’s BMW missing. Inside, he discovered Sherri’s body; she had been brutally beaten and shot three times. The crime scene appeared to be a burglary gone wrong, with electronics stacked on the stairs and drawers rifled through.
The initial investigation focused on the theory of a botched robbery committed by two men, a narrative supported by similar crimes in the area. Despite Sherri’s father repeatedly urging detectives to investigate Stephanie Lazarus, his pleas were ignored. As a fellow officer, Stephanie was never a serious suspect, and John’s alibi was solid. The case eventually went cold for twenty-three years.
A breakthrough finally came in 2004 when forensic technology allowed for the testing of a bite mark found on Sherri’s arm. To the investigators' surprise, the DNA belonged to a woman, completely contradicting the original "two male burglars" theory. In 2009, a new team of detectives re-examined the files and realized the "burglary" had been meticulously staged—the electronics were stacked too neatly, and no valuables like jewelry were actually taken.
Suspicion turned toward Stephanie Lazarus. To obtain her DNA without alerting her, investigators surreptitiously followed her and collected a discarded cup she had used. The DNA matched the evidence from the bite mark perfectly. During a recorded interrogation, Stephanie’s demeanor changed dramatically when the questioning shifted from her professional work to her past relationship with John, exhibiting erratic facial expressions and defensive behavior.
Stephanie Lazarus was arrested in 2009 and convicted of first-degree murder in 2012. She was sentenced to 27 years to life in prison. While Sherri’s parents passed away shortly after the verdict, they finally saw the justice they had fought for over two decades, revealing that the person sworn to uphold the law was the one who had violently taken their daughter's life.


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