It is a bizarre thing to think about, isn't it? One day you’re an elite LAPD art theft detective, and the next, you’re the face of one of the most chilling cold cases in American history. For years, people only knew the 1986 version of Stephanie Lazarus—the young, athletic police officer with the feathered hair and the intense eyes. Or maybe they remember the 2009 arrest footage. You know the one. She’s sitting in that interrogation room, wearing her gym clothes, trying to play it cool while her own colleagues slowly box her in.
But time doesn't stop, even behind bars.
If you are wondering what does Stephanie Lazarus look like now, the answer is a far cry from the detective who once walked the halls of the Parker Center. As of 2026, Lazarus is 65 years old. She has spent over 14 years in the California prison system, specifically at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Corona. Prison changes a person's physicality. It just does. Recent descriptions and legal proceedings from 2024 and 2025 paint a picture of a woman who has aged significantly under the weight of a life sentence and the recent, high-stakes drama of her rescinded parole.
The Physical Transformation of a Former Detective
Gone is the dark, thick hair from her trial days. Today, Lazarus's hair is reportedly much thinner and mostly grey, often pulled back simply. When she appeared (virtually and in person) for her recent parole hearings—the ones that had the whole true-crime world holding its breath—observers noted she looked like a typical grandmother. She wears glasses now. She often wears the standard-issue blue or denim state-issued clothing required at CIW.
It’s a stark contrast. In 2009, she still had that "cop" posture—shoulders back, a bit defiant. Now, witnesses at her hearings describe a woman who looks smaller, perhaps a bit more fragile, though her legal team argues she remains mentally sharp and active within the prison community.
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Honestly, if you saw her in a grocery store today, you probably wouldn't look twice. And that’s the most haunting part of the Sherri Rasmussen case, isn't it? The "girl next door" who can harbor a secret for twenty-three years.
Life Inside the California Institution for Women
What has she actually been doing while her appearance changed? She hasn't just been sitting in a cell.
- Educational Leadership: Reports from her parole board hearings in late 2024 revealed that Lazarus has become a bit of a mentor. She apparently helped other inmates with their education, even assisting some in graduating from college programs.
- Religious Involvement: She’s been active in religious advocacy within the prison walls.
- The "Model Inmate" Paradox: Her supporters, including some former cellmates and even a nun, have testified that she is "kind and compassionate." They see a transformed woman.
- The Confession: For over a decade, she maintained her innocence. But in 2023, everything changed. To qualify for parole, she finally admitted to the 1986 murder of Sherri Rasmussen.
Hearing her describe the murder in her own words was a turning point. She talked about the "jealous rage" and the "callous" nature of the crime. When people ask about her current state, it’s not just about the wrinkles or the grey hair—it’s about that shift from "denial" to "confession."
Why the World is Still Watching Her in 2026
The reason everyone is Googling her right now is because of the absolute rollercoaster that was her 2024-2025 parole bid.
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In November 2023, a parole board actually recommended she be released. People were shocked. The Rasmussen family was devastated. It looked like she was going home. But then, Governor Gavin Newsom stepped in. He urged the board to reconsider, citing the fact that she had "evaded justice for more than two decades" and used her police training to cover her tracks.
In October 2024, the board officially rescinded her parole grant. Then, in February 2025, she was denied again. The board basically said her story didn't "match up" with the forensic evidence. They didn't buy her version of the "struggle" that led to Sherri's death.
The Facts of the Case: A Quick Refresher
If you're new to this, here's the "basically" version. In 1986, Sherri Rasmussen was found beaten and shot to death in her home. For years, the LAPD blamed it on a botched burglary by two men. Fast forward to 2009: DNA from a bite mark on Sherri's arm—which had been sitting in a freezer for decades—was finally tested. It didn't belong to a man. It belonged to Stephanie Lazarus, the ex-girlfriend of Sherri's husband, John Ruetten.
The fact that Lazarus was a serving LAPD officer while the investigation was ongoing is still one of the biggest scandals in the department's history.
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What's Next for Stephanie Lazarus?
She isn't getting out anytime soon.
According to current records, Lazarus is scheduled for her next parole suitability hearing in 2028. However, she can petition for an earlier date if there is a "change in circumstances," though given the intensity of the opposition from the Los Angeles District Attorney's office and the Rasmussen family, that seems like a long shot.
If you are following this case, the best way to stay informed is to monitor the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) inmate locator or follow legal news outlets that cover California parole board results. The "look" of Stephanie Lazarus will continue to age behind the bars of Corona, but the legacy of the 1986 crime remains as vivid as ever for those who lost Sherri Rasmussen.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case:
- Check the CDCR Inmate Locator using her name or CDC number (W37042) for current housing status.
- Watch for 2028 Parole Hearing announcements, which usually become public a few months before the date.
- Review the 2023 Parole Transcript if you want to read her actual confession—it's widely available in legal archives and provides the most "current" look into her mindset.