The person at the center of this case
Pepper Reed
Missing Person · Open
50 years waiting · since 1975
Missing Person: Pepper Reed
Justice for Pepper Reed — the trail went cold in 1975, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1Terry Rasmussen was convicted of murder in California and became a suspect in the Bear Brook Murders—what is his connection to Pepper's disappearance?
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person
Lead #2What happened to Pepper Reed between June 1976 and the discovery of her daughter's remains in 2000?
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evidence
Lead #3How did Rea Rasmussen end up in Bear Brook State Park in New Hampshire, and does this location hold clues to Pepper's fate?
Pepper Reed, 23, disappeared in late 1975 after introducing her family to boyfriend Terry Rasmussen in Houston, Texas and telling them she was pregnant. She was last confirmed alive on June 15, 1976, in Orange County, California, the day her daughter Rea was born. Decades later, Rea was found deceased in Bear Brook State Park in New Hampshire in 2000, and Terry Rasmussen became a suspect in multiple murders, making Pepper's fate a critical missing piece in understanding what happened to her and her child.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
⏰
timeline
Lead #4Why was there no contact from Pepper after June 15, 1976, and did anyone report her missing during that time?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP150118. Missing person: Pepper Reed.
Last known contact: 1975-12-18 in Anaheim, Orange, CA. Circumstances: Pepper's family last saw her in Houston, Texas between December 12 and December 18, 1975.
At this time, Pepper introduced her brother and mother to her new boyfriend, Terry Rasmussen. Pepper also told them she was pregnant with Terry's child.
Their child, Rea Rasmussen, was born in Orange County California on June 15 ,1976. In 2000, Rea was found deceased in Bear Brook State Park in New Hampshire.
Rea's body was recently identified by Investigators. Pepper's boyfriend Terry was convicted of a murder in California and was a suspect in the Bear Brook Murders.
Pepper's family last spoke to her in December 1975. Pepper was last known to be alive in Orange County California on June 15, 1976.
Demographics: 23 years, Female, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 2 in, 115 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Investigating agency: Anaheim Police Department | 25-129982 | 2025-09-11.
Timeline of Events
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1975-12-12
Family Contact in Houston
Pepper's family last saw her in Houston, Texas between December 12-18, 1975. She introduced them to her new boyfriend Terry Rasmussen and told them she was pregnant.
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1976-06-15
Last Known Alive
Pepper was last known to be alive in Orange County, California on June 15, 1976, the date her daughter Rea Rasmussen was born.
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2000-01-01
Daughter's Remains Found
Rea Rasmussen was found deceased in Bear Brook State Park, New Hampshire. Her body was later identified by investigators.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:December 12, 1975
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
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Phone: 7147651900
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Case Information
Incident:December 12, 1975
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 7147651900
You can remain anonymous