CA CA - Pepper Reed, 24, California, 1976, Mother of Rea Rasmussen and Girlfriend of SK Terry Rasmussen

[victoriarobinson642]

Pepper's family last spoke to her in December 1975. Pepper was last known to be alive in Orange County California on June 15, 1976.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

I mean the date listed on her NAMUS page in the upper left corner.

 

[Dogwithabone]

Here's a thought that's probably way out there, but what if Pepper is actually the Cheerleader in the Trunk? I'm aware there are tons of theories already, but her photo just hit me — the face is a dead ringer for the composite. It might be a good lead to either prove or disprove.

Date of Discovery:
Jane Doe: August 24, 1982
Pepper: Last known alive sometime after June 15, 1976 (Rea’s birth), possibly extending into the early 1980s. Estimated date of death for Jane Doe (early spring 1982, but potentially as far back as the mid-1970s) is compatible with Pepper’s disappearance window.

Location of Discovery:
Jane Doe: Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland.
Context: Roughly 7.5 hours by car from Allenstown, New Hampshire, where Rea’s remains were later discovered. Rasmussen’s known pattern of interstate travel makes this distance plausible.

State of Remains:
Jane Doe: Skeletal, concealed in a steamer trunk left near a gravel road in Gambrills State Park. The disposal method — containerised remains left outdoors — bears some resemblance to the Allenstown “barrel” victims.

Cause of Death:
Jane Doe: Homicide (unspecified).
Pepper: Presumed homicide; Rasmussen linked to multiple blunt-force trauma cases.

Estimated Age:
Jane Doe: 17–27 (possible range up to 45).
Pepper: 23 at the time of disappearance. Falls neatly within the narrower estimate.

Race:
Jane Doe: White.
Pepper: White. Consistent

Sex:
Both female.

Height:
Jane Doe: 5'2" – 5'6".
Pepper: Reported between 5'2" and 5'4". Perfect overlap.

Weight:
Jane Doe: 100 – 130 lbs.
Pepper: 115 – 130 lbs. Consistent.

Hair:
Jane Doe: Dark brown, medium-length, wavy; natural colour may have been reddish-brown.
Pepper: Appears in portraits with medium, reddish-brown hair that has a natural wave, though she may have brushed it straighter. Highly consistent.

Eyes:
Jane Doe: Unknown.
Pepper: Brown

Distinguishing Features:
Jane Doe: Evidence of previous back and foot injuries; spondylolysis (stress fracture in spine). Heavy pelvic wear suggesting possible dance, gymnastics, or horseback riding.
Pepper: Unknown. Yearbooks, team photos, or local records might clarify whether she participated in athletics or dance.

Disposal Comparison:
Jane Doe: Found inside a steamer trunk with sticks and leaves scattered over top, but not fully hidden.
Allenstown Victims (including Rea): Found in sealed barrels, concealed but within wooded terrain. Different containers, but strikingly similar behaviour: dismembered families, hidden in transportable objects, left in semi-remote outdoor areas.

Facial Similarity:
Photos and reconstructions show comparable features: strong cheekbones, similar nose and jaw shape. This makes Pepper a reasonable candidate.

Links:
Pepper's NamUs
Jane Doe's Doe Network
Jane Doe's NamUs

 

[iamshadow21]

Here's a thought that's probably way out there, but what if Pepper is actually the Cheerleader in the Trunk? I'm aware there are tons of theories already, but her photo just hit me — the face is a dead ringer for the composite. It might be a good lead to either prove or disprove.

Date of Discovery:
Jane Doe: August 24, 1982
Pepper: Last known alive sometime after June 15, 1976 (Rea’s birth), possibly extending into the early 1980s. Estimated date of death for Jane Doe (early spring 1982, but potentially as far back as the mid-1970s) is compatible with Pepper’s disappearance window.

Location of Discovery:
Jane Doe: Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland.
Context: Roughly 7.5 hours by car from Allenstown, New Hampshire, where Rea’s remains were later discovered. Rasmussen’s known pattern of interstate travel makes this distance plausible.

State of Remains:
Jane Doe: Skeletal, concealed in a steamer trunk left near a gravel road in Gambrills State Park. The disposal method — containerised remains left outdoors — bears some resemblance to the Allenstown “barrel” victims.

Cause of Death:
Jane Doe: Homicide (unspecified).
Pepper: Presumed homicide; Rasmussen linked to multiple blunt-force trauma cases.

Estimated Age:
Jane Doe: 17–27 (possible range up to 45).
Pepper: 23 at the time of disappearance. Falls neatly within the narrower estimate.

Race:
Jane Doe: White.
Pepper: White. Consistent

Sex:
Both female.

Height:
Jane Doe: 5'2" – 5'6".
Pepper: Reported between 5'2" and 5'4". Perfect overlap.

Weight:
Jane Doe: 100 – 130 lbs.
Pepper: 115 – 130 lbs. Consistent.

Hair:
Jane Doe: Dark brown, medium-length, wavy; natural colour may have been reddish-brown.
Pepper: Appears in portraits with medium, reddish-brown hair that has a natural wave, though she may have brushed it straighter. Highly consistent.

Eyes:
Jane Doe: Unknown.
Pepper: Brown

Distinguishing Features:
Jane Doe: Evidence of previous back and foot injuries; spondylolysis (stress fracture in spine). Heavy pelvic wear suggesting possible dance, gymnastics, or horseback riding.
Pepper: Unknown. Yearbooks, team photos, or local records might clarify whether she participated in athletics or dance.

Disposal Comparison:
Jane Doe: Found inside a steamer trunk with sticks and leaves scattered over top, but not fully hidden.
Allenstown Victims (including Rea): Found in sealed barrels, concealed but within wooded terrain. Different containers, but strikingly similar behaviour: dismembered families, hidden in transportable objects, left in semi-remote outdoor areas.

Facial Similarity:
Photos and reconstructions show comparable features: strong cheekbones, similar nose and jaw shape. This makes Pepper a reasonable candidate.

Links:
Pepper's NamUs
Jane Doe's Doe Network
Jane Doe's NamUs

View attachment 614442View attachment 614443

It's worth a suggestion. Pepper wasn't on anyone's radar until her daughter was identified. And I agree, she looks lot like that second NCMEC recon


MOO

 

[Stephen2016]

When Rasmussen was last seen by his family, he was accompanied by an unidentified woman. This happened in December 1975 or 1976, the same time Pepper was last seen. I'm willing to bet the woman Rasmussen was last seen with was Pepper.

Terry Peder Rasmussen - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I believe there was some mention of snow cones that they made. Also there may of been some mention of her hair. Based on those pictures of Pepper it understandable that the hair would make an impression. Not sure where those pictures are from, maybe school.

 

[Stephen2016]

I believe there was some mention of snow cones that they made. Also there may of been some mention of her hair. Based on those pictures of Pepper it understandable that the hair would make an impression. Not sure where those pictures are from, maybe school.

Sorry this is what I believed to be the visit which probably was made in 1975 to Payson AZ.

 

[ssarahbg]

Here's a thought that's probably way out there, but what if Pepper is actually the Cheerleader in the Trunk? I'm aware there are tons of theories already, but her photo just hit me — the face is a dead ringer for the composite. It might be a good lead to either prove or disprove.

Date of Discovery:
Jane Doe: August 24, 1982
Pepper: Last known alive sometime after June 15, 1976 (Rea’s birth), possibly extending into the early 1980s. Estimated date of death for Jane Doe (early spring 1982, but potentially as far back as the mid-1970s) is compatible with Pepper’s disappearance window.

Location of Discovery:
Jane Doe: Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland.
Context: Roughly 7.5 hours by car from Allenstown, New Hampshire, where Rea’s remains were later discovered. Rasmussen’s known pattern of interstate travel makes this distance plausible.

State of Remains:
Jane Doe: Skeletal, concealed in a steamer trunk left near a gravel road in Gambrills State Park. The disposal method — containerised remains left outdoors — bears some resemblance to the Allenstown “barrel” victims.

Cause of Death:
Jane Doe: Homicide (unspecified).
Pepper: Presumed homicide; Rasmussen linked to multiple blunt-force trauma cases.

Estimated Age:
Jane Doe: 17–27 (possible range up to 45).
Pepper: 23 at the time of disappearance. Falls neatly within the narrower estimate.

Race:
Jane Doe: White.
Pepper: White. Consistent

Sex:
Both female.

Height:
Jane Doe: 5'2" – 5'6".
Pepper: Reported between 5'2" and 5'4". Perfect overlap.

Weight:
Jane Doe: 100 – 130 lbs.
Pepper: 115 – 130 lbs. Consistent.

Hair:
Jane Doe: Dark brown, medium-length, wavy; natural colour may have been reddish-brown.
Pepper: Appears in portraits with medium, reddish-brown hair that has a natural wave, though she may have brushed it straighter. Highly consistent.

Eyes:
Jane Doe: Unknown.
Pepper: Brown

Distinguishing Features:
Jane Doe: Evidence of previous back and foot injuries; spondylolysis (stress fracture in spine). Heavy pelvic wear suggesting possible dance, gymnastics, or horseback riding.
Pepper: Unknown. Yearbooks, team photos, or local records might clarify whether she participated in athletics or dance.

Disposal Comparison:
Jane Doe: Found inside a steamer trunk with sticks and leaves scattered over top, but not fully hidden.
Allenstown Victims (including Rea): Found in sealed barrels, concealed but within wooded terrain. Different containers, but strikingly similar behaviour: dismembered families, hidden in transportable objects, left in semi-remote outdoor areas.

Facial Similarity:
Photos and reconstructions show comparable features: strong cheekbones, similar nose and jaw shape. This makes Pepper a reasonable candidate.

Links:
Pepper's NamUs
Jane Doe's Doe Network
Jane Doe's NamUs

View attachment 614442View attachment 614443

I feel this is her as well. I submitted to both agencies and contacted DNA Doe Project about this last week. They are willing to look into extracting DNA from this Doe to see if they can find her identity. I shared this with the detective in Maryland and gave her the link to share case information with DDP. I don’t know if she submitted the case but I think it’s a strong lead. I have reached out several times over the last year and a half because I believe this doe is related to Terry Rassmussen. The circumstances are eerily similar and found along route from New Hampshire to Virginia or California. I honestly thought it was Denise for the longest time but looked much more like Pepper.

There was rumor that this Doe’s remains couldn’t be located for further DNA analysis. Does anyone have information they can find on that?

 

[Lwieckowicz]

Here's a thought that's probably way out there, but what if Pepper is actually the Cheerleader in the Trunk? I'm aware there are tons of theories already, but her photo just hit me — the face is a dead ringer for the composite. It might be a good lead to either prove or disprove.

Date of Discovery:
Jane Doe: August 24, 1982
Pepper: Last known alive sometime after June 15, 1976 (Rea’s birth), possibly extending into the early 1980s. Estimated date of death for Jane Doe (early spring 1982, but potentially as far back as the mid-1970s) is compatible with Pepper’s disappearance window.

Location of Discovery:
Jane Doe: Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland.
Context: Roughly 7.5 hours by car from Allenstown, New Hampshire, where Rea’s remains were later discovered. Rasmussen’s known pattern of interstate travel makes this distance plausible.

State of Remains:
Jane Doe: Skeletal, concealed in a steamer trunk left near a gravel road in Gambrills State Park. The disposal method — containerised remains left outdoors — bears some resemblance to the Allenstown “barrel” victims.

Cause of Death:
Jane Doe: Homicide (unspecified).
Pepper: Presumed homicide; Rasmussen linked to multiple blunt-force trauma cases.

Estimated Age:
Jane Doe: 17–27 (possible range up to 45).
Pepper: 23 at the time of disappearance. Falls neatly within the narrower estimate.

Race:
Jane Doe: White.
Pepper: White. Consistent

Sex:
Both female.

Height:
Jane Doe: 5'2" – 5'6".
Pepper: Reported between 5'2" and 5'4". Perfect overlap.

Weight:
Jane Doe: 100 – 130 lbs.
Pepper: 115 – 130 lbs. Consistent.

Hair:
Jane Doe: Dark brown, medium-length, wavy; natural colour may have been reddish-brown.
Pepper: Appears in portraits with medium, reddish-brown hair that has a natural wave, though she may have brushed it straighter. Highly consistent.

Eyes:
Jane Doe: Unknown.
Pepper: Brown

Distinguishing Features:
Jane Doe: Evidence of previous back and foot injuries; spondylolysis (stress fracture in spine). Heavy pelvic wear suggesting possible dance, gymnastics, or horseback riding.
Pepper: Unknown. Yearbooks, team photos, or local records might clarify whether she participated in athletics or dance.

Disposal Comparison:
Jane Doe: Found inside a steamer trunk with sticks and leaves scattered over top, but not fully hidden.
Allenstown Victims (including Rea): Found in sealed barrels, concealed but within wooded terrain. Different containers, but strikingly similar behaviour: dismembered families, hidden in transportable objects, left in semi-remote outdoor areas.

Facial Similarity:
Photos and reconstructions show comparable features: strong cheekbones, similar nose and jaw shape. This makes Pepper a reasonable candidate.

Links:
Pepper's NamUs
Jane Doe's Doe Network
Jane Doe's NamUs

View attachment 614442View attachment 614443

I wanted to note about the athletics, due to genetics and other health factors I have wear to my joints and I have bone spurs that doctors say is usually do to advanced age, hard contact sports, or a bad accident. None of those apply to me. Just thought that was worth mentioning here to the wear on her body could have been due to something other than sports.

 

[ssarahbg]

I wanted to note about the athletics, due to genetics and other health factors I have wear to my joints and I have bone spurs that doctors say is usually do to advanced age, hard contact sports, or a bad accident. None of those apply to me. Just thought that was worth mentioning here to the wear on her body could have been due to something other than sports.

I always thought the cheerleader moniker was somewhat of a red herring. Just like you said, it could have been due to genetic factors, hard labor, or a plethora of other factors that had nothing to do with sports.

 

[Ingrid74]

I believe there was some mention of snow cones that they made. Also there may of been some mention of her hair. Based on those pictures of Pepper it understandable that the hair would make an impression. Not sure where those pictures are from, maybe school.

I believe the pictures of her were taken on the same day but as she’s wearing different outfits I would suggest some type of photo shoot?

 

[ssarahbg]

I believe the pictures of her were taken on the same day but as she’s wearing different outfits I would suggest some type of photo shoot?

Looks like some type of senior photo if I had to guess. Maybe senior yearbook photo as senior photo shoots weren’t really a thing back then.

 

[ssarahbg]

Doing a search, I came across another picture in her junior yearbook. Unfortunately, there aren’t names listed in organizations but if someone has time to do some more sleuthing, here is the link: https://www.classmates.com/siteui/yearbooks/55280

This was from the 1969 yearbook. Unfortunately, it’s the only one I could find when she would have been there.

For privacy reasons, I hid the others included from her yearbook

 

[Gemmie]

The Little Girl in the Barrel: A Bear Brook Mystery Solved

Twenty-five years after the body of an unidentified little girl was discovered in a 55-gallon drum...

www.missingkids.org

He sounds like such a lovely, upstanding person. </end snark>

From your link:

Known for using multiple aliases, Terry Rasmussen moved frequently across the country and wherever he went, people seemed to vanish. Investigators later linked him to a series of murders, missing persons and unidentified victims stretching from New Hampshire to California. Because of his ability to reinvent himself and avoid detection, he became known as the “Chameleon Killer.”

The Little Girl in the Barrel: A Bear Brook Mystery Solved

Twenty-five years after the body of an unidentified little girl was discovered in a 55-gallon drum...

www.missingkids.org

 

[ssarahbg]

Update on research….. went down a rabbit hole trying to find other photos of her in this yearbook. Several look similar but not clear. This one though…… this a senior/junior prom photo (left). Can anyone tell?

 

[pokerowan]

I believe the pictures of her were taken on the same day but as she’s wearing different outfits I would suggest some type of photo shoot?

Agree with the graduation photo angle. JMO, I think in the second pic she's in a normal outfit of hers. First pic could definitely be the same day/shoot - she looks like she's holding a mortarboard. The fabric of what she's holding matches the fabric of her clothing too, so the different set of clothes could potentially be a 70s graduation gown thrown over the top of her outfit. Her hands are also positioned so her ring is on display - class ring perhaps? JMO.

 

[DS2021]

They are willing to look into extracting DNA from this Doe to see if they can find her identity

Her remains are currently lost. Theres no dna on file. Unless they have hair or something its a dead end

 

[Lwieckowicz]

Her remains are currently lost. Theres no dna on file. Unless they have hair or something its a dead end

Only chance is comparing family members dna to current known Jane does and hope her body has been found but just not connected to her yet since LE barely realized she was missing.

 

[ssarahbg]

Her remains are currently lost. Theres no dna on file. Unless they have hair or something its a dead end

There was hair at one time. But like you said, likely lost with the remains. Maybe (wishful thinking) they stored some still for later testing. I also believed that identifying Rea was likely a dead end. I was sure her birth wasn’t documented and finding her was a needle in a haystack. So I am staying hopeful!

 

[LookingForClues]

Agree with the graduation photo angle. JMO, I think in the second pic she's in a normal outfit of hers. First pic could definitely be the same day/shoot - she looks like she's holding a mortarboard. The fabric of what she's holding matches the fabric of her clothing too, so the different set of clothes could potentially be a 70s graduation gown thrown over the top of her outfit. Her hands are also positioned so her ring is on display - class ring perhaps? JMO.

I've been staring at that picture of her in the graduation gown, wondering why her hands are in such a strange position. You're right, she's holding a mortarboard. And I do think she's also showing off her class ring. Thank you for figuring that out and sharing it. I thought I'd go crazy if I kept staring at it! LOL

 

[PuzzlinEvidence]

Doe Network page: https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/mp-main.html?id=5331DFCA

 

[cheshire84]

My thoughts are they really need to question people that were at Danny Rasmussen's funeral in Dec 1978 in Hawaii (he committed suicide after shooting his 20 year old wife). His 4 year old son is listed as visitng relatives in Arizona (where Terry's sister lived-Jacqueline, at the time). This is right after Terry and Marlyse left her house that Thanksgiving. Terry is listed as attending the funeral.

I have always wondered if Marlyse and Terry went to his sister's house with their kids and the bday pics with Marie are from either Arizona at Terry's sister's house (or in Hawaii for the funeral). Marie's bday is around Dec 7 or 8th. Danny's funeral was on Dec 4 1978.