← Back to United States casesSharan, Linda S. Lassen, and others Allegedly Murdered by Jerry Broadus, South Dakota, United States
Case Summary
This case involves Jerry Broadus, a serial killer in South Dakota, who attacked and murdered multiple young women including Linda S. Lassen, Jen Bajari, Kern Springer, and another unidentified victim. The victims were strangled, dismembered, and their bodies were disposed of in rivers weighted down with car engines. Broadus exhibited paraphilic and sadistic behaviors, including a fetish for women's shoes and underwear, and took disturbing photographs of his victims. He was arrested after police linked him to the crimes through surveillance and evidence found in his workshop. Broadus confessed to four murders and several attacks, was diagnosed with severe mental illness but was found sane at the time of the crimes, and received three consecutive life sentences. His wife Darcy cooperated with police but later left him with their children.
Basic Information
Country: United States
State/Province: South Dakota, United States
City/Region:
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Divorced
Relationship Duration:
Incident Date: None
Incident Sequence and Additional Victims
Primary reported outcome: Homicide
Reported self-harm outcome: No suicide or attempt reported
Reported sequence: Order not reported / unclear
Additional victims reported: 3
Additional victim events:
- Linda S. Lassen — Family or household member; Killed; Order not reported / unclear
- Jen Bajari — Family or household member; Killed; Order not reported / unclear
- Kern Springer — Family or household member; Killed; Order not reported / unclear
Relationship Journey
Relationship Origins:
- Met at Workplace
- Arranged marriage
Relationship Stages:
- Married Living Together
- Separated
Analysis
Contributing Factors:
- Domestic Violence Allegation
- Mental instability
- Family pressure
- Suspicion of infidelity
Red Flags:
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Secret affair
- Manipulative behavior
- Threats
- Stalking / Repeated Harassment
- Firearm Access / Concerning Weapon Behavior
- Mental Health Deterioration / Hopelessness
- High-Conflict Household
Motives:
- Revenge
- Jealousy
- Control/domination
- Eliminate romantic partner
Relationship Outcomes:
- Separation
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
- Relationship ended
- Investigation still ongoing
- Deadbody recovery
People Link Graph
Relationship Journey Graph
Origin
- Met at Workplace
- Arranged marriage
How the relationship or connection began.
Status
- Divorced
Stages
- Married Living Together
- Separated
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Warning Signals
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Secret affair
- Manipulative behavior
- Threats
- Stalking / Repeated Harassment
- Firearm Access / Concerning Weapon Behavior
- Mental Health Deterioration / Hopelessness
- High-Conflict Household
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Pressure Points
- Domestic Violence Allegation
- Mental instability
- Family pressure
- Suspicion of infidelity
- Revenge
- Jealousy
- Control/domination
- Eliminate romantic partner
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Outcome
- Separation
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
- Relationship ended
- Investigation still ongoing
- Deadbody recovery
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
Sources
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Sharan, Linda S. Lassen, and others Allegedly Murdered by Jerry Broadus, South Dakota, United States
Rita True Crime 🖤 ریتا تروکرایم - Iran · Original language: English
View original title
فتیش و جنون (114) پرونده جنایی قاتل سریالی جری برودوس
AI Intelligence Assessment
Relationship Pattern
Domestic Violence
Pattern Analysis
The case involves a serial killer with a history of domestic violence, sexual fetishes, and sadistic behavior. The offender targeted women known to him or in his neighborhood, escalating from attacks to multiple murders. The relationship with his wife was marked by control, unusual sexual demands, and eventual separation. The offender's violent pattern included strangulation, dismemberment, and post-mortem sexual abuse.
Investigative Notes
Police linked multiple missing persons and murders to Jerry Broadus through surveillance, forensic evidence including rope knots, and victim descriptions. Despite initial lack of physical evidence, confessions and photographs provided strong case material. The offender was arrested for illegal firearm possession and later charged with multiple murders. His wife cooperated with police but was not implicated. The case involved complex forensic and psychological evaluations.
Investigation Confusion
Initial confusion about the attacker's identity and motives; police unaware initially that a serial killer was involved. Confessions were later withdrawn, complicating prosecution. The offender's mental health status was debated, with diagnoses of severe mental illness but legal sanity at the time of crimes.
Case Reconstruction / Puzzle Pieces
The case was reconstructed through victim disappearances, forensic discoveries of dismembered bodies weighted in rivers, victim and witness descriptions, and offender confessions. The timeline showed a pattern of disappearances in the second half of months. Police surveillance and forensic analysis of rope knots and workshop evidence linked Jerry Broadus to the crimes. Psychological profiling and victimology supported the serial killer hypothesis.
Risk Assessment
High risk due to escalation from non-fatal attacks to serial murders, use of weapons, and control dynamics within the marriage. The offender exhibited sadistic and paraphilic behaviors combined with antisocial personality traits, indicating a severe threat to intimate partners and others.
Key Takeaways
Early attacks and stalking behaviors can escalate to serial murder. Fetishistic and sadistic behaviors combined with domestic control dynamics may signal high risk. Forensic evidence such as unique knots and victim disposal methods can be critical. Cooperation of close relations, like spouses, can aid investigations. Mental health evaluations are complex and do not preclude criminal responsibility.
AI Case Q&A
What early signals mattered most?
Repeated stalking and attacks on women, including strangulation attempts and forced abductions, were early signals of escalating violence.
Which clues helped connect the case?
Victim descriptions of a tall man with freckles, similar attack patterns, and forensic evidence like rope knots and victim body disposal linked the cases.
Which evidence types appeared strongest?
Confessions, forensic analysis of rope knots, victim dental records, photographs of victims, and surveillance evidence were strongest.
Witness / Eyewitness Statements
Witnesses reported seeing a tall, freckled man stalking victims; a 15-year-old girl escaped abduction; university students reported suspicious behavior; family members reported missing persons and suspicious circumstances.
How did follow-up reports change the understanding?
Follow-up reports revealed the serial nature of the crimes, offender's identity, and confessions. Mental health evaluations and legal proceedings evolved over time.
What remained unclear?
Exact motives for some murders remain partially unclear; the location of some victims' bodies was never found; the full extent of the offender's crimes may be unknown.