Here's one for the macabre friends. Almost all of the time gifts are a very good thing, and they stay that way. But then there's the rare occurrence where a gift will be significantly tied to a true crime case as an important piece of evidence.
The Murder of Sherri Rasmussen
Sherri Rasmussen was murdered in 1986 in her home in Los Angeles. The case remained unsolved for over two decades. In 2009, DNA evidence linked LAPD Detective Stephanie Lazarus to the murder. Lazarus had previously been in a relationship with Rasmussen's husband, John Ruetten. A crucial piece of evidence was a bite mark on Rasmussen's body, which was compared to Lazarus's dental records. However, the initial connection to the crime involved Lazarus's jealousy over a romantic relationship, and she had given John a pair of skis as a gift, which became a significant detail during the investigation, showing the extent of her involvement in their lives.
The Murder of Marlene Warren
In 1990, Marlene Warren was shot and killed at her front door by someone dressed as a clown in Wellington, Florida. The clown handed her flowers and balloons before pulling out a gun and shooting her. Years later, Sheila Keen Warren, who had been romantically involved with Marlene’s husband, Michael Warren, was arrested and charged with the murder. It was speculated that the flowers and balloons were used to disguise the true intent and add an element of surprise.
The Murder of Stephanie Kirk
In 2012, William Clyde Gibson was convicted of murdering Stephanie Kirk in New Albany, Indiana. Gibson had given Kirk a ring as a gift. After her disappearance, investigators found Kirk’s body buried in Gibson’s backyard, and the ring was identified as the one he had given her. The ring, though not the murder weapon, was a significant piece of evidence in connecting Gibson to the crime.
Murder of Laci Peterson
In 2002, Laci Peterson was reported missing by her husband, Scott Peterson, in Modesto, California. She was eight months pregnant at the time. Scott claimed that he had gone fishing as a Christmas gift to himself. The boat, which Scott had purchased shortly before Laci's disappearance, became a key piece of evidence. The investigation revealed Scott's affair and the suspicion that he had planned the murder and disposal of Laci's body using the boat. The remains of Laci and her unborn child were later found in San Francisco Bay, near where Scott had been fishing.
The Case of Richard Crafts
Known as the "Woodchipper Murder," this case involved the murder of Helle Crafts by her husband, Richard Crafts, in 1986 in Newtown, Connecticut. Richard, a pilot, had given Helle a gift of a woodchipper, which he later used to dispose of her body after murdering her. Investigators found woodchips, hair, and tissue near a riverbank, leading to Richard's conviction. The woodchipper, initially a gift, became the primary tool in covering up the crime.
The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway
In 2005, Natalee Holloway disappeared while on a high school graduation trip in Aruba. Although her body was never found, a bracelet given to her by her mother played a role in the investigation. The bracelet, which Holloway always wore, was one of the personal items that her friends and family used to identify her belongings. The case remains unsolved, but the bracelet is often mentioned in discussions about her disappearance.
