Authorities in New Hampshire have identified a little girl who was a victim of the serial killer known as the 'Chameleon.'
Even with the identification, questions remain regarding the crimes of Terry Peder Rasmussen who died in prison in 2010. Rasmussen primarily lived in New Hampshire and California, but lived under numerous aliases, and police fear they may never know the true extent of his crimes.
Rasmussen was at least responsible for four killings known as the Bear Brook murders. The case began when an adult woman and a child were found stuffed in a barrel in Bear Brook State Park in 1985. Later, in 2000, another barrel was located in the park, and it contained the bodies of two other children.
Police said that all of the victims had been killed in the 1970s or early 1980s. Initially, police were able to identify three out of the four victims: Marlyse Honeychurch and her daughters, Marie Vaughn and Sarah McWaters. The three had last been seen in California in 1978.
Police had long theorized that the fourth victim was Rea Rasmussen, Terry Rasmussen's biological daughter who was born in 1976. Investigators were finally able to confirm the suspicion through DNA testing.
"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," said Attorney General John Formella.
Many questions still remain regarding the Rasmussen case. Rea's mother was Pepper Reed, was born in Texas in 1952 and has been missing since the late 1970s.
"Our commitment to uncovering the truth, no matter how long it takes, remains unwavering. We continue to seek answers about the disappearance of Pepper Reed," Formella said.
PEOPLE reported that Rasmussen was dubbed the Chameleon because of his ever-shifting identities. Among the aliases he used were Curtis Kimball, Gordon Jensen, Larry Vanner, and Bob Evans. Police believe he used Bob Evans in the early 1980s in New Hampshire.
"The Bear Brook case was one of the first major cases to demonstrate the potential of genetic genealogy in identifying victims and solving crimes. We hope this final identification provides a measure of closure, even as the investigation into Rasmussen's full scope of crimes continues," said Senior Assistant Attorney General R. Christopher Knowles, Chief of the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit.
