Major Breakthrough in Bear Brook Murders: Final Victim Identified as Rea Rasmussen
CONCORD, N.H. — Attorney General John M. Formella and Colonel Mark B. Hall of the New Hampshire State Police announced a landmark development in one of New Hampshire’s most haunting cold cases. After more than four decades of investigation, the final unidentified victim in the infamous Bear Brook murders has been identified.
The young girl, previously referred to by investigators as the “middle child,” has been identified as Rea Rasmussen, born in 1976 in Orange County, California. Authorities confirmed that Rea was the biological daughter of Terry Peder Rasmussen, the man responsible for the Bear Brook homicides, and Pepper Reed, who was born in 1952 and originally from Texas. Reed has not been seen since the late 1970s and remains a person of interest in related investigations.
Closure After 40 Years
“This case has weighed on New Hampshire and the nation for decades,” said Attorney General Formella. “With Rea Rasmussen’s identification, all four victims now have their names back. This development is the result of extraordinary perseverance by law enforcement, forensic experts, and our Cold Case Unit. Our commitment to uncovering the truth, no matter how long it takes, remains unwavering. We continue to seek answers about the disappearance of Pepper Reed.”
The announcement brings a measure of closure to a mystery that has gripped investigators, journalists, and the public for generations. The identification of Rea Rasmussen marks the end of a long pursuit to restore the identities of all four victims whose remains were discovered in Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, New Hampshire.
Case Background
In November 1985, hunters discovered a barrel in Bear Brook State Park containing the remains of an adult woman and a young girl. Fifteen years later, in 2000, a second barrel was found nearby containing the remains of two additional young girls.
Forensic analysis determined the victims had been killed in the late 1970s or early 1980s before being hidden in the barrels. The brutality and mystery surrounding the case haunted investigators for years. Eventually, DNA and genealogy work tied the murders to Terry Peder Rasmussen, a serial killer who used numerous aliases and was later dubbed “The Chameleon Killer.” Rasmussen died in prison in 2010 while serving time for another murder.
Through cutting-edge investigative genetic genealogy and tireless work by the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit, the victims were slowly identified over time. Prior to today’s announcement, three of the four victims had been named: Marlyse Elizabeth Honeychurch and her two daughters, Marie Elizabeth Vaughn and Sarah Lynn McWaters. With the confirmation of Rea Rasmussen’s identity, all four victims have now been identified.
Ongoing Questions
While the identification of Rea Rasmussen closes a major chapter in the Bear Brook case, unanswered questions remain—most notably, the fate of her mother, Pepper Reed. Authorities continue to investigate Reed’s disappearance, which occurred in the late 1970s.
For many, today’s announcement is bittersweet. It represents both the end of a relentless search for answers and a reminder of the tragic lives lost. But for investigators, it is also proof of the power of persistence, science, and collaboration.
A Historic Cold Case Brought to Light
The Bear Brook murders have become one of the most widely studied cold cases in the country, with their investigation pioneering the use of genetic genealogy in solving crimes. This method has since been used in numerous other cases nationwide, including the capture of the Golden State Killer.
With this latest revelation, authorities hope that while justice cannot be fully served—since Rasmussen is deceased—the victims and their families will finally be granted the dignity of their names being remembered.