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Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on 7 sources
Pepper Reed was 23 years old when she was last seen by her family in Houston, Texas, between December 12 and December 18, 1975. During this time, she introduced her mother and brother to her new boyfriend, Terry Rasmussen, and informed them that she was pregnant with his child. Her family last spoke with her in December 1975. After the Christmas holiday, Reed and Rasmussen reportedly moved to Anaheim, California.

It is known that Pepper Reed gave birth to a daughter, Rea Rasmussen, in Orange County, California, on June 15, 1976. However, following the birth of her child, Pepper Reed disappeared from public records and has never been heard from again. While she was last seen by family in Texas in late 1975, she was known to be alive in Orange County on June 15, 1976.

Investigators believe Terry Rasmussen was a serial killer, and he is a suspect in the Bear Brook Murders in New Hampshire. Tragically, his daughter with Pepper, Rea Rasmussen, was later identified as one of the victims in that case. Authorities suspect that Pepper Reed may have also been a victim of Rasmussen. The Anaheim Police Department is listed as an investigating agency in her disappearance.

Last Seen: Dec 12, 1975

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

75%Possible
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP4452
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP4452 • Found Apr 11, 1976
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–25 vs 23
Race 100%White
Location 75%Same state
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Weight 100%130–150 lb vs 125 lb
75%Possible
Jane Doe — California
UP4456 • Found Dec 21, 1975
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 23
Race 100%White
Location 75%Same state
TimingFound 9 days after last seen
Weight 98%111 lb vs 125 lb

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.