Robert Hansen the Butcher Baker

The “Known” Victims:

His huntings occurred between 1971-1983 when he was eventually caught, tried, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. During this time he had between 17-21+, some of the bodies were not found until after Hansen’s arrest.

His known victims included Megan Emerick (Body Found: N/A), Mary Thill (Body Found: N/A), Horseshoe Harriet (Body Found: 4/1984-after Hansen’s arrest), Eklutna Annie (Body Found: 7/21/1980), Roxanne Eastland (Body Found: N/A), Joanna Messina (Body Found: 7/1980), Lisa Futrell (Body Found: 5/1984-after Hansen’s arrest), Sherry Morrow (Body Found: 9/12/1982), Andrea “Fish” Altiery (Body Found: N/A), Sue Luna (Body Found: 4/24/1984-after Hansen’s arrest), Paula Goulding (Body Found: 9/2/1983), Cindy Paulson (survived), Malai Larsen (Body Found: 4/24/1984-after Hansen’s arrest), Delynn “Sugar” Frey (Body Found: 8/20/1985), Teresa Watson (Body Found” 4/26/1984-after Hansen’s arrest), Angela Feddern (Body Found: 4/26/1984-after Hansen’s arrest), Tamera “Tami” Pederson (Body Found: 4/29/1984-after Hansen’s arrest) and Ceilia “Beth” Van Zanten (Body Found: N/A).

Hansen raped and assaulted over 30 women in Alaska and murdered at least 17 women. The age range for the women was between 17-41. Hansen was a major factor the finding the bodies of some of his victims. Many of the victims he denied killing were only suspected of. 

Hansen had been arrested in 1972 for assault and entered a work release program after 6 months in prison. He pleaded guilty in 1976 to larceny after he stole a chainsaw from a department store and was sentenced to five years in prison. He was also to receive treatment for his bipolar disorder diagnosis during his time in prison. However, the Supreme Court reduced his sentence and gave him time served.

Trial, Prison, and Death:

Hansen was charged with assault, kidnapping, weapons offenses, theft, and insurance fraud. He received the insurance fraud charge after he filed a claim with the insurance company for the “theft” of a few of his souvenirs. He later claimed he found the trophies in his backyard and forgot to inform the insurance company.  

Hansen entered a plea bargain after a match between the bullets found at the crime scenes and Hansen’s rifle. He pleaded guilty to 4 murders (Morrow, Messina, Goulding, and Eklutna Annie) and gave details about the other victims so he could serve his sentence in federal prison and have no press.

Hansen also confirmed the theory the police had about how the women had been abducted. He also said that if his victims could convince him that they would not go to the police he would let them go. He stated that he had begun the killings in the early 1970s.

The jury sentenced Hansen to 461 years plus life in prison without the possibility of parole. He died from natural causes and health conditions on August 21, 2014, at age 75 in Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage.