Bear Brook victim finally identified, authorities confirm

Identification of the Final Victim in the Bear Brook Murders

The final of four victims in the Bear Brook murders has been identified, marking a significant milestone in a decades-long investigation. The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office and state police announced the identification on Sunday afternoon. The victim, previously referred to as "The Middle Child," has now been recognized as Rea Rasmussen, born in 1976 in Orange County, California.

Rea Rasmussen was the biological daughter of Terry Peder Rasmussen, the man suspected of committing the murders but never convicted, and Pepper Reed, who was born in 1952 in Texas and has not been seen since the late 1970s. Terry Rasmussen, known under the alias "Bob Evans" in New Hampshire, passed away in prison in 2010. He was a serial offender with a history of using multiple aliases.

In 1985, the remains of an adult woman and a young girl were found in a barrel in Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown. Fifteen years later, a second barrel containing the remains of two more girls was discovered nearby. In 2017, investigators linked one of the victims to Terry Rasmussen. By 2019, three of the victims had been identified as Marlyse Honeychurch, Terry Rasmussen's former girlfriend, and her daughters, Sarah McWaters and Marie Vaughn.

Timeline of the Bear Brook Murders

• 1985: Remains of an adult woman and a young girl found in a barrel in Bear Brook State Park.
• 2000: A second barrel containing the remains of two more girls discovered nearby.
• 2017: Investigators link one of the victims to Terry Rasmussen.
• 2019: Three of the victims are identified as Marlyse Honeychurch, Sarah McWaters, and Marie Vaughn.
• 2024: The DNA Doe Project identifies Rea Rasmussen, with confirmation on September 5.

Groundbreaking Use of Genetic Testing

Firebird Forensics was the first group to collaborate with investigators on genetic analysis for the case. DNA testing initially discovered connections through the case of Lisa Jensen, who was abducted by Rasmussen as an infant. The Bear Brook case became a groundbreaking example of genetic testing, utilizing hair samples to reassemble genetic code.

"Just getting to the point where (we) could actually use the technique to actually try build some (genetic) trees and identify somebody, all of that took forever," said Firebird president and founder Barbara Rae-Venter. The hair samples proved crucial, despite the challenges posed by bacterial DNA in the remains. "We're talking about a lot, not just hundreds, but thousands of hours," she added.

In January 2024, the New Hampshire State Police Cold Case Unit partnered with the DNA Doe Project, using further genetic genealogy testing to eventually identify Rea Rasmussen.

Ongoing Investigation and Family Impact

While all four Bear Brook victims have been identified, the investigation into the disappearance of Pepper Reed remains active. Authorities believe she may also have been a victim of Terry Rasmussen.

Part of the family affected by the case is Diane Kloepfer, the estranged daughter of Terry Rasmussen. She shared memories of her father, describing a turbulent home life with frequent arguments between her parents. Kloepfer left her family when she was just six years old and barely remembers the abusive man her mother described.

For years, she and her siblings tried to uncover their father's true identity before discovering it on an online message board. By this point, Kloepfer was in her 40s. After the identities of the first three victims were confirmed, she began a campaign to discover who her half-sister really was.

"That's really the only reason I spoke out about it at all, in the hopes of doing the right thing and getting her name back," she said of her media appearances. Now that she's accomplished her mission, Kloepfer says her emotions are mixed. For her, the story won't end until Pepper receives her own conclusion.

Statement from the Attorney General

In a statement, New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella emphasized the significance of the identification. "This case has weighed on New Hampshire and the nation for decades. 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."

The Attorney General's Office plans to hold a news conference on Monday at 11 a.m. to discuss the recent identification. More details and victim impact statements are expected to be provided to the public.