Once a revered investigator with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Stephanie Lazarus earned global news not for her work but for her conviction on the 1986 cold-case murder of Sherri Rasmussen. The public’s and media’s interest was piqued by the startling nature of the crime and Lazarus’s law enforcement experience.
Is Stephanie Lazarus still married is one of the unresolved mysteries that still piques interest. Here we give a thorough summary of Stephanie Lazarus’s marriage, life before and following her conviction, and present situation.
Who Is Stephanie Lazarus? A Quick Background
Born in 1960, Stephanie Lazarus signed on with the Los Angeles Police Department in 1983. She developed a strong reputation inside the force over time, finally assigned to the LAPD’s Art Theft Detail—a prestigious job looking into well-known art offenses. But behind the badge, Lazarus was concealing a terrible secret.
Cold case detectives revived Sherri Rasmussen’s case in 2009; she was a young nurse killed in her house in 1986. Improvements in DNA technology and a reevaluation of the data indicated only Detective Stephanie Lazarus. The case resulted in a well-publicized trial whereby she was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2012 and sentenced to 27 years to life in prison. Is Stephanie Lazarus still incarcerated? Yes, she is currently serving her sentence.
Stephanie Lazarus’ Marriage to Scott Young
Married to fellow LAPD officer Scott Young, Stephanie Lazarus was not convicted at the time of their relationship. Since Scott Young had past intimate relationships with Sherri Rasmussen, the victim, their marriage came under close examination during the inquiry and trial. The drive behind the cold-blooded murder that remained unresolved for more than two decades was this love triangle.
Though Young and Lazarus finally got married years after Sherri passed away, the emotional core of the prosecution’s case was established by the past between all three people. Their marriage was said to be quiet but steady, and they had one daughter together who was still little at the time Lazarus was arrested. Is Stephanie Lazarus married? She was, but her current marital status is less clear.
Is Stephanie Lazarus Still Married to Scott Young?
Whether Stephanie Lazarus is still married to Scott Young is a complicated and private issue. Scott Young stayed with Lazarus during the trial, observing events and offering moral support. But there have been obvious signals in the years after her sentence that the pair is no longer together. This leads many to wonder: is Stephanie Lazarus still married to her husband?
Although public records do not offer a clear indication of a legal divorce, court records and several reliable sources point to their marriage being essentially broken about the time of her incarceration. After the trial, Scott Young reportedly turned away from Lazarus in favor of keeping a quiet profile and giving his daughter’s welfare top priority. This brings attention to the often-asked question: what happened to Stephanie Lazarus’ husband?
Life in Prison: Stephanie Lazarus’ Current Status
Right now, Stephanie Lazarus is still incarcerated at the California Institution for Women in Chino, California. She is in a unique and often hazardous position inside the jail system since she used to be a police officer. Given her past, which limits her contact with other prisoners for her own safety, reports indicate she is under protective custody.
Lazarus has tried to challenge her conviction while in prison, but thus far all legal attempts have failed. Her life behind bars is reported to be quite regimented and solitary, with very few public events or visitors.
She continues to be among the most well-known prisoners in California’s prison system given the nature of her conviction and the public confidence betrayed. Many still ask, is Stephanie Lazarus still alive? Yes, she is, and she remains under custody.
What Happened to Scott Young After the Trial?
Since the trial, Scott Young has kept mostly under the shadow of obscurity. Though he has purposefully avoided public criticism or interviews about his past relationships or the trial itself, it is thought he has stayed in law enforcement.
By all reports, Young’s primary concentration has been keeping their daughter away from public view. The family dynamic has surely suffered from the weight of having both parents engaged in such a sad and well-reported situation.
Scott Young has not remarried as per the most recent data; public records contradicting any new partnerships are not available. This adds further curiosity to the question, who is Stephanie Lazarus’ husband today, and what his current life entails.
Did Stephanie Lazarus Maintain Her Innocence?
Stephanie Lazarus has always maintained her innocence over the trial and later appeals. Lazarus has never accepted guilt although the substantial DNA evidence linking her to the crime site and the circumstantial evidence of motive and opportunity. Her defense said the evidence was contaminated and circumstantial, but the jury decided she was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
She has not confessed even in jail, which throws doubt on any possibility for early release. Her refusal to accept responsibility actually might make any parole board less likely to contemplate a sentence cut-off. Still, despite being found guilty, Stephanie Lazarus is she still married—remains a question of public interest, especially among true crime enthusiasts.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
Television broadcasts including “48 Hours,” “Dateline NBC,” and Netflix true crime specials as well as podcasts and documentaries have highlighted the Lazarus case. For years, real crime buffs have been enthralled with the twist of a seasoned police officer turned killer.
Books and investigative studies have examined every element of the case, mostly with an eye on the hidden risks of internal police culture, the collapse of the initial inquiry, and Lazarus’s decades-long evasion of suspicion utilizing her position. These portrayals often rekindle interest in questions like: Is Stephanie Lazarus still married to Scott Young? or is Stephanie Lazarus married to her husband still?
Why This Case Continues to Capture Public Attention
Not only does the murder itself unsettle and captivate the Lazarus case, but also the deceit of a trustworthy law enforcement officer living a second life for almost twenty years. The fact that Lazarus ascended the LAPD’s hierarchy while carrying such a terrible secret just heightens the mystery.
Shakespearean tragedy permeates the emotional basis of the narrative—the love triangle between Lazarus, Young, and Rasmussen. A love lost, jealousy developed, and a life cruelly snatched.
Conclusion: Is Stephanie Lazarus Still Married?
Stephanie Lazarus is no longer married to Scott Young based on the facts at hand. Although a formal divorce has never been formally validated, public and legal circles generally accept their separation. Her sentence, combined with the seriousness of her crime, has left her life totally disconnected from her past—including her marriage, profession, and personal freedom.
So, is Stephanie Lazarus still married? All signs point to no. However, as the case continues to fascinate the public, questions like is Stephanie Lazarus still alive, is she still incarcerated, and who is Stephanie Lazarus’ husband will likely persist for years to come.
FAQs – Quick, To-the-Point Answers
Who is Sherri Rasmussen’s husband?
Sherri Rasmussen was married to John Ruetten, a systems engineer and former boyfriend of Stephanie Lazarus.
What were the key pieces of evidence against Lazarus?
The key evidence included DNA from a bite mark on Sherri Rasmussen, which matched Lazarus, and motive due to Lazarus’s past romantic relationship with Ruetten.
What is the book about Sherri Rasmussen?
The book “The Lazarus Files: A Cold Case Investigation” by Matthew McGough details the murder of Sherri Rasmussen and the investigation that led to Stephanie Lazarus’s arrest.
When did Stephanie Lazarus get caught?
Stephanie Lazarus was arrested on June 5, 2009, after DNA evidence linked her to the 1986 murder of Sherri Rasmussen.
