MILL CREEK, Utah — The podcast “The Letter” launches an unexpected second season today, focusing on generational questions about trauma and forgiveness stemming from the 1982 murder of two young fathers. is guessing.
The producers of The Letter never intended to produce a second season of the podcast. One of the reasons he thought season 1 was unique. But a few months after publishing the podcast, I discovered a story related to the first season of The Letter. It also has much more to say about how we rebuild our lives after tragedy, and whether forgiveness belongs to all of us.
Jordan Rasmussen visits his in-laws on the day his son was born in 1973. (Rasmussen family photo)
For example, what happens to forgiveness when trauma can be passed down through generations? Season 2 of the podcast “The Letter” is called “Ripple Effect.” This is because families have learned that even the most personal decisions can impact the lives of families, communities, and even strangers.
The Letter is a podcast that follows two murders that took place in 1982.
It was a phone call at the end of a long and stressful day that changed Jordan Rasmussen's plans on the morning of March 5, 1982.
And that change will cost him his life.
The call came from a man who owned a popular fine-dining restaurant located in one of Utah's most beautiful canyons. Rasmussen served as accountant for its restaurant, Log Haven, a huge log cabin that made him one of the most popular locations for wedding celebrations.
The call came late on the afternoon of March 4th from Michael Moore, the 25-year-old's manager, asking to discuss a bookkeeping problem he had discovered.
Rasmussen agreed to the meeting, but it wasn't something he was looking forward to, according to his wife, Deanne Rasmussen.
“We knew there was some discord in the office and the company he worked for,” she said.
Book a restaurant culinary rumor
Just a few months ago, Jordan had pointed out a $30,000 shortfall to one of his partners.
“He was reading deep into their books and noticed some shady dealings going on in Loghaven,” she said. “(He) suspected that there had been embezzlement.”
In fact, rumors of theft and layoffs have been swirling around the restaurant ever since the two men who owned it decided they could no longer work together. Speculation was rife about what would happen to staff as they negotiated the dissolution of the partnership, which included a number of financial operations.
Rasmussen found himself caught in the middle.
Things were so tense that on the night of March 4th, before going to bed, he made a joke that, in retrospect, was creepy.
He told his wife that if the car slid off the road in the ravine the next morning, it might not have been an accident.
Dian dismissed it as a bit of black humor. She never worried about him, she said.
“There was nothing (to worry about),” she said.
One of Jordan Rasmussen's last photos shows her enjoying Christmas morning in 1981 with her three children, Lisa, 5, David, 8, and Chad, 1. (Rasmussen family photo).
Snowy morning at Mill Creek Canyon
How Jordan Rasmussen felt when he turned onto Millcreek Canyon Road and realized that his sedan wouldn't be able to make it three miles down the narrow, snow-covered road to Log Haven. Maybe it can be explained with the words “don't worry.” He pulled to the side of the road and noticed a familiar jeep parked on the other side.
The driver made a U-turn and stopped in front of Rasmussen's car. The 32-year-old father of three turned off the car's engine and walked toward the Jeep's open window. He talked to the driver, then walked around the Jeep, opened the door and climbed inside.
Perhaps he was in a hurry and did not notice the bullet holes that marred the side of the Jeep – one in the hood and one just behind the front tire.
Where Season 2 of The Letter Podcast Begins
Jordan Rasmussen was I was prepared for a tense and possibly uncomfortable conversation once I arrived at Loghaven. In the end, the business split was supposed to be completed on the same day. After this meeting, he headed to a law firm in Salt Lake City, where he planned to discuss taking over as restaurant manager with the new sole owner.
But as he sat in the passenger seat of the Jeep, little did he know that he would be driving to his death. His was not the only murder that day.
Little did his family know that their devoted father and brother, whom they called a “gentle giant,” would be held responsible for his death. That's because when police arrested someone for killing Jordan Rasmussen, the suspect claimed it was self-defense. And in doing so, he described a dishonest, evil and evil person that no one recognized.
Listen and follow The Letter – Season 2: Ripple Effect wherever you find your favorite podcast. It premiered on April 16th, with new episodes released every Tuesday.
You can also find episodes, photos, and stories at theletterpodcast.com.
