She was shot three times in the chest with a .38 pistol. And hit in the head with a ceramic vase. The DNA was found on the left arm which had been bitten.
Initially, LAPD investigators attributed her death to a burglary gone wrong, but suspicions arose within the Rasmussen family. They were convinced that Lazarus, the ex-boyfriend’s former lover, and a fellow law enforcement officer was the killer.
It took until 2009 for the case to be reopened, leading to the groundbreaking revelation that DNA evidence linked Lazarus to the crime.
Stephanie Lazarus faced trial in 2012. She vehemently denied any involvement in Sherri’s murder.
The prosecution painted a picture of jealousy and revenge, alleging that Lazarus was driven to kill by the recent marriage of Sherri to her ex-boyfriend.
Despite Lazarus’ defense claiming corrupted DNA evidence, a jury convicted her of first-degree murder on March 8, 2012, after three days of deliberations.
Parole Decision and Family Outrage
Fast forward to November 16, 2023, to the parole hearing.
