Bear Brook Murders: The Final Victim Identified After 45 Years

Rea Rasmussen, born in Orange County, California in 1976, has been identified as the fourth victim of serial killer Terry Rasmussen following decades of investigation and advanced DNA analysis. The toddler, believed to have been between 2 and 4 years old at the time of her death in the late 1970s or early 1980s, was discovered in one of two barrels found in Bear Brook State Park near Allenstown, New Hampshire.

The identification of Rea Rasmussen marks a significant breakthrough in one of America's most notorious cold cases. For years, she had been referred to as "The Middle Child" or "Jane Allenstown Doe 2000" following the discovery of her remains in a barrel in 2000. The first barrel had been found in 1985, containing the remains of a woman and a young girl.

Terry Rasmussen, Rea's biological father, murdered his own daughter alongside three other victims whose remains were recovered from the barrels. The victims included Marlyse Honeychurch, who was last seen in California in 1978, along with her daughters Marie Vaughn and Sarah McWaters. All four bodies were concealed in barrels buried in the state park.

The investigation spanned multiple decades and benefited from technological advances in forensic analysis. The three other victims were identified in 2019 through DNA analysis and genealogical research, but Rea Rasmussen's identification came later in 2024 or 2025, finally bringing closure to her case.

Rasmussen died in prison in 2010 while serving a sentence for another crime, before facing trial for the Bear Brook murders. Investigators have since confirmed his responsibility for all four homicides through DNA evidence and genealogical research.

The investigation has not concluded entirely. Pepper Reed, born in 1952 and originally from Texas, is believed to be another victim of Rasmussen who has remained missing since the late 1970s. Authorities continue to pursue leads in connection with her disappearance.