Pepper Reed Missing: Could UP4389 Be the Match?

By: Shane Lambert
Original Publication Date: September 29th, 2025 (Monday)

Pepper Reed Case Summary (NamUs #MP150118)

With Pepper Reed’s case, what is hard to overlook is that she was deeply intertwined with Terry Rasmussen in the stages of her life leading up to her disappearance event. He is a man whose criminal legacy has recently captivated true crime audiences.

In December 1975, when Pepper Reed was last seen in Houston, Texas, she was three months pregnant with Rasmussen’s child. This child, later named Rea Rasmussen, was born on June 15, 1976, in Anaheim, California, entailing that Pepper remained alive at least until then despite the official last contact date being late in 1975. Her association with Rasmussen, who later became a suspected serial killer, adds a layer of tragedy to her disappearance.

Terry Rasmussen’s crimes have been spotlighted in recent years, notably in the 2025 Oxygen series *Unknown Serial Killers of America* (Season 1, Episode 4), which detailed his role in the Bear Brook murders and other killings across decades. The episode, aired in June 2025, explores how he used aliases like Bob Evans and Gordon Jenson to evade detection. His conviction for a 2003 California murder and suspected involvement in multiple unsolved cases have kept his story relevant, with calls for tips on missing women like Pepper still active.

Category	Details
NamUs Case Number	MP150118
Legal Name	Pepper Reed
Biological Sex	Female
Race/Ethnicity	White / Caucasian
Missing Age	23 Years
Current Age	73 Years
Height	5'2" - 5'4" (62-64 Inches)
Weight	115-130 lbs, but was pregnant in the time period close to her disappearance event
BMI	20.2 - 23.0 (based on height 5'2"-5'4" and weight 115-130 lbs) (pregnancy should be noted)
Hair Color	Brown
Eye Color	Brown (Both)
Date of Last Contact	December 18, 1975 is stated at NamUs, but Pepper Reed did give birth to a child in June 1976 in Anaheim. This suggests that she was likely seen there, perhaps even in a hospital.
Last Known Location	Anaheim, Orange County, California
Circumstances	Last seen in Houston, Texas, with boyfriend Terry Rasmussen between December 12-18, 1975, while three months pregnant. Moved to Anaheim, where daughter Rea was born on June 15, 1976. Rea was found deceased in Bear Brook State Park, New Hampshire, in 2000, identified in 2025. Terry Rasmussen, convicted of murder, is suspected in Pepper's disappearance and the Bear Brook Murders.

Attempt to Match: Pepper Reed and UP4389 (Jane Doe)

UP4389 stands out as a compelling match for Pepper Reed. The Jane Doe was found as only skeletal remains, discovered in a Valencia wash off I-5 on January 26th, 1980. Skeletal remains and being found in wash suggest a delayed find, which could include a potential 1976 homicide.  Decomposition and exposure could easily account for the three-year gap, especially if someone disposed of her hastily after Rea's birth and then fled. 

The estimated age range of 17-24 aligns closely with Pepper’s 23 at disappearance, while the White/Caucasian race matches perfectly, and the height/weight (5'5"-5'9", 115-130 lbs) is a strong fit—Pepper’s 5'2"-5'4" is a minor variance, but skeletal measurements can fluctuate by 2-4 inches without complete remains, and the weight range is spot-on (both are 115-130 estimates).