Notorious St. Louis Art Thief Murdered!

**Rothase2** · February 9th, 2012, 12:55 AM

Don Rasch did 2 years in Federal Prison for stealing 4 million dollars worth of significant fine art back in 2004 or so.

The crime was featured on this television show-
http://www.cnbc.com/id/19331880/

And much news coverage, such as this tidbit-
http://www.jasecurityagency.com/view_story.php?id=12

On November 12, he was found unresponsive in his Maplewood (St. Louis blue-collar suburb) apartment, and he died on the 16th. The autopsy was inconclusive, and after they examined his brain, the medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.

Not sure what they found in his brain, as they won't say. Here's the creepy part. I knew Don- we used to work together at an art wholesale place (he did the framing work, I was in the office). He was very personable and friendly, a drunk and a compulsive liar by all accounts. Honestly, I can't say I am surprised by his premature demise, but I didn't think anyone would kill him! So, your humble metro-St. Louis reporter is a wee bit freaked out. If you will excuse me, I think I'll go see if there are any adult beverages in my fridge... thank you for your patience.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/302...ed-a-homicide-

**Abroad** · February 9th, 2012, 01:45 PM

I wonder if the motive will turn out to have something to do with the criminal life he'd been leading earlier or just something to do with the drunken compulsive lying......

Guess we shall have to watch and find out.

**Cecil Nixxon** · April 25th, 2012, 05:20 PM

Don was a close friend of mine. Despite his poor judgment that landed him in prison, he was someone I cared deeply for. And I miss him terribly. I know probably too much about his death and won't elaborate because it could affect the outcome of the pursuit of the murderer. I can say that this had nothing to do with art, drinking, lying, or any perceived/projected character failings you might want to attribute this to... if anything it was a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, with a random and senseless unjustified assault. After paying his debts via incarceration, staying clean as a whistle on parole, and repairing his life, this is all so sad to me. There is at least one person on the planet who stands by him even in death.