On Friday, October 4, 2024, ABC will broadcast an all-new episode of “20/20,” examining one of Los Angeles’ most notorious murder cases. The episode, titled “The Killer Down the Hall,” airs at 9:01–11:00 p.m. EDT and will be available for streaming the next day on Hulu.
The investigation focuses on the brutal murder of 29-year-old nursing director Sherri Rasmussen, who was found dead in the apartment she shared with her husband in 1986. Initially, detectives believed her death was a result of a failed robbery, but with no suspects, the case went cold for over two decades. However, new developments emerged when authorities reopened the case, leading to a startling discovery.
In 2009, the Los Angeles Police Department’s cold case squad revisited the investigation, employing advanced DNA technology to analyze evidence from a bite mark found on Sherri’s arm. The results pointed to none other than LAPD Detective Stephanie Lazarus, who had previously dated Sherri’s husband. Jealousy appeared to be the motive for the heinous crime.
Stephanie Lazarus was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2012 and sentenced to 27 years to life in prison. However, after serving only 15 years, she received a parole board recommendation for early release under California’s “youthful offender” law. This law applies to offenders who were under 26 years old at the time of their crimes. Sherri’s family has publicly campaigned to overturn this recommendation, and a final decision from California parole officials is expected this week.
The episode features interviews with key individuals, including Sherri Rasmussen’s sisters, Connie Rasmussen and Teresa Mary Lane; retired LAPD officer Rodney Forrest, one of the first responders to the crime scene; retired LAPD Detective Cliff Shepard, who led the cold case investigation in 2001; Paul Nunez, a former prosecutor with the LA County District Attorney’s Office; retired LAPD captain Anita Ortega; and the Rasmussen family attorney, John Taylor.
20/20: The Killer Down the Hall, airs Friday, October 4, 2024, at 9:01–11:00 p.m. EDT on ABC, with streaming available the next day on Hulu.
