Introduction to the Bear Brook Murders
The final victim in New Hampshire’s infamous Bear Brook murders has been identified, officials said Sunday, ending a more-than-40-year effort to identify all four bodies found in a state park in Allenstown across three decades.
Rea Rasmussen, who was last seen in the late 1970s, has been identified as the final victim, state police and prosecutors announced. She’d previously been referred to as the "middle child."
The Victim’s Background
Born in 1976 in Orange County, California, Rea was the daughter of Bear Brook murderer Terry Peder Rasmussen, officials said. Her mother, Pepper Reed, remains missing.
Terry Peder Rasmussen died in prison in 2010 and was later identified as the killer. Investigators are still working to determine what happened to Reed, who was last seen in the late 1970s as well, according to police, and where Rasmussen was from 1974 to 1985, especially in New Hampshire, California, Arizona, Texas, Oregon and Virginia, police said.
The Investigation and Identification Process
The investigation began in 1985, when two bodies were found in a barrel in Bear Brook State Park. Two more were found in another barrel 15 years later. The other three victims were previously identified in 2019 as Marlyse Honeychurch and daughters Marie Vaughn and Sarah McWaters, all last seen in California in 1978.
"We never forgot Rea. We never stopped looking. This case has passed through the hands of many investigators, all of whom felt the weight of speaking for those who no longer could. Naming her brings a sense of justice but also reminds us of the unanswered questions that remain," New Hampshire State Police Det. Sgt. Christopher Elphick said in a statement.
Reaction from Authorities
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella acknowledged in a statement that the Bear Brook murders "weighed on New Hampshire and the nation for decades," and credited forensic experts and law enforcement dedication for identifying Rea.
"We continue to seek answers about the disappearance of Pepper Reed," he said.
The DNA Doe Project said their team of genetic genealogists traced Rea’s ancestry back to a couple born in the 18th Century, then to Reed in Houston, where Rasmussen had been living. That led to Rea’s birth record in Orange County.
The Role of the DNA Doe Project
"Due to her young age and life circumstances, we were prepared for the possibility of only being able to identify her mother," DNA Doe Project investigative genetic genealogist Jeana Feehery said in a statement. "Returning both Pepper and Rea’s names to them, their families, and the greater community is the best possible outcome we could have hoped for."
Anyone with information was asked to call the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit (800-525-5555 or 603-271-2663, coldcaseunit@dos.nh.gov) or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (800-843-5678, ncmectips@ncmec.org).
Conclusion
The identification of Rea Rasmussen as the final victim in the Bear Brook murders brings a sense of closure to the case, but also leaves unanswered questions about the disappearance of her mother, Pepper Reed. The dedication of investigators and forensic experts has been crucial in identifying the victims and bringing justice to their families.
FAQs
Q: Who was the final victim identified in the Bear Brook murders?
A: The final victim identified was Rea Rasmussen, the daughter of Terry Peder Rasmussen.
Q: How was Rea Rasmussen identified?
A: Rea Rasmussen was identified through the work of the DNA Doe Project, which used genetic genealogy to trace her ancestry and locate her birth record.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation into Pepper Reed’s disappearance?
A: The investigation into Pepper Reed’s disappearance is ongoing, and authorities are still seeking answers about what happened to her.
Q: How can people provide information about the case?
A: People can provide information by calling the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
