Robert Hansen
Alaska Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Anchorage, Alaska
TIME PERIOD
1972-1983
VICTIMS
17 confirmed
Robert Hansen, also known as the "Butcher Baker," was an American serial killer active in Anchorage, Alaska, from 1972 to 1983, during which he abducted, raped, and murdered at least seventeen women, with estimates suggesting he may have killed as many as thirty-seven. His modus operandi involved releasing his victims into the Alaskan wilderness and hunting them with a Ruger Mini-14 and hunting knives. Hansen was apprehended on October 27, 1983, following a tip-off from a victim who escaped, and he was subsequently sentenced to 461 years in prison without the possibility of parole. He died of natural causes on August 21, 2014, while incarcerated at Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, Alaska. Significant evidence included the discovery of multiple remains in remote areas and Hansen's own confession, which detailed his crimes and the locations of the bodies.
Robert Hansen is believed to have had a traumatic childhood that contributed to his violent tendencies, with some theorizing that his experiences of bullying and social isolation may have fueled his later actions. Investigators and the public speculate that his choice of victims, often vulnerable women, was influenced by his desire for power and control, reflecting a deep-seated rage. Additionally, some theories suggest that Hansen may have had accomplices or that there are more undiscovered victims, given the number of women he abducted and the vast wilderness in which he operated.
The Butcher Baker: The Chilling Tale of Robert Hansen
In the frigid wilderness of Anchorage, Alaska, a sinister figure lurked between 1972 and 1983. Known as the "Butcher Baker," Robert Hansen, a once-unassuming local baker, unleashed a reign of terror that would leave at least seventeen women dead. This is the harrowing story of a man who hunted humans as if they were prey, equipped with a Ruger Mini-14 and hunting knives, before his eventual capture in 1983 and his sentencing to 461 years of imprisonment without parole.
Early Life
Robert Christian Boes Hansen was born on February 15, 1939, in Estherville, Iowa, to Edna Margret Hansen and Danish immigrant Christian "Chris" Hansen. His early life was marked by challenges; he suffered from a severe stutter and acne that left him scarred, and he struggled under the weight of his domineering father's expectations. Hansen found solace in hunting and archery, passions that would later take a dark turn.
In 1957, Hansen joined the United States Army Reserve, serving for a year before taking up a role as an assistant drill instructor at a police academy in Pocahontas, Iowa. There, he met his first wife, whom he married in 1960. However, his life was soon to take a dark path.
First Crimes
On December 7, 1960, driven by a need for revenge against his high school tormentors, Hansen set fire to a school bus garage in Hamilton County, Iowa, and was sentenced to three years in prison for arson. His imprisonment was cut short after twenty months, but the experience left scars. Diagnosed with manic depression and a schizoid personality, Hansen was noted for his "infantile personality" and a dangerous obsession with vengeance.
After several arrests for petty theft, Hansen moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1967 with his second wife, with whom he had two children. He opened a bakery and was well-liked in the community, even setting local hunting records. But beneath this facade, a monster was stirring.
In December 1971, Hansen was arrested twice—first for abducting and attempting to rape a housewife, and then for raping a sex worker. He pleaded no contest to the assault charge and served only six months of a five-year sentence due to a plea bargain. In 1976, he was caught stealing a chainsaw and was sentenced to five years, though he was released early after psychiatric treatment.
The Murders Begin
Authorities believe Hansen began his killing spree around 1972. His modus operandi involved stalking his victims, abducting them, and taking them to the wilderness where he would release and then hunt them. His victims were often sex workers or teenagers, but Hansen's first suspected murder was that of 18-year-old Celia Van Zanten in 1971, although he denied involvement.
The turning point came on June 13, 1983, when Hansen abducted 17-year-old Cindy Paulson. After offering her $200 for oral sex, he held her captive, intending to fly her to his remote cabin. Paulson managed a daring escape while Hansen prepared his plane, leaving behind her blue sneakers as evidence. She was rescued by a passing truck driver and alerted the police, but Hansen's reputation and an alibi provided by a friend initially protected him from suspicion.
The Investigation
Detective Glenn Flothe of the Alaska State Troopers was investigating a series of murders when Paulson's case crossed his desk. Bodies had been found in remote areas, and Flothe enlisted the help of FBI profiler John E. Douglas. The profile suggested the killer was an experienced hunter with a stutter and low self-esteem, who kept "souvenirs" of his murders.
Hansen fit the profile perfectly. With Paulson's testimony and the FBI's profile, authorities obtained a warrant to search Hansen's property. On October 27, 1983, they found jewelry belonging to the victims, a stash of firearms, and an aviation map marked with "x"s—locations where bodies were later discovered.
Confession and Conviction
Faced with overwhelming evidence, Hansen confessed to his crimes, admitting to a spree of assaults and murders starting in 1971. He eventually confessed to murdering at least seventeen women, although investigators suspect there may have been more.
Hansen was charged with the murders of Sherry Morrow, Joanna Messina, Eklutna Annie, and Paula Goulding, as well as the abduction and rape of Cindy Paulson. He was sentenced to 461 years in prison, where he would remain until his death in 2014.
Victims
The tragic list of Hansen's known victims includes Celia Van Zanten, Megan Emerick, Mary Thill, Eklutna Annie, Joanna Messina, Roxane Easland, Lisa Futrell, and Sherry Morrow. Each woman's story is a haunting reminder of the Butcher Baker's brutality.
Legacy
Robert Hansen's crimes have left an indelible mark on Alaska's history, a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath a seemingly benign exterior. His story serves as a grim testament to the power of thorough investigation and the bravery of survivors like Cindy Paulson, whose courage helped bring a killer to justice.
Sources
For the full details and more about Robert Hansen, please visit Wikipedia Article on Robert Hansen.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Known Abduction
Celia van Zanten, 18, is kidnapped and later found dead, believed to be Hansen's first victim.
Cindy Paulson Escapes
Cindy Paulson escapes from Hansen's captivity, providing crucial evidence to police.
Hansen Arrested
Robert Hansen is arrested after evidence from Paulson's testimony leads police to search his home.
Charges Filed
Hansen is charged with multiple counts of murder, kidnapping, and assault.
Plea Bargain
Hansen enters a plea bargain, admitting to four murders in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Victim Remains Found
Authorities recover the remains of several victims based on Hansen's confessions and map.
Sentencing
Hansen is sentenced to 461 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
Hansen Dies
Robert Hansen dies of natural causes in prison at the age of 75.
Robert Hansen, also known as the "Butcher Baker," was an American serial killer active in Anchorage, Alaska, from 1972 to 1983, during which he abducted, raped, and murdered at least seventeen women, with estimates suggesting he may have killed as many as thirty-seven. His modus operandi involved releasing his victims into the Alaskan wilderness and hunting them with a Ruger Mini-14 and hunting knives. Hansen was apprehended on October 27, 1983, following a tip-off from a victim who escaped, and he was subsequently sentenced to 461 years in prison without the possibility of parole. He died of natural causes on August 21, 2014, while incarcerated at Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, Alaska. Significant evidence included the discovery of multiple remains in remote areas and Hansen's own confession, which detailed his crimes and the locations of the bodies.
Robert Hansen is believed to have had a traumatic childhood that contributed to his violent tendencies, with some theorizing that his experiences of bullying and social isolation may have fueled his later actions. Investigators and the public speculate that his choice of victims, often vulnerable women, was influenced by his desire for power and control, reflecting a deep-seated rage. Additionally, some theories suggest that Hansen may have had accomplices or that there are more undiscovered victims, given the number of women he abducted and the vast wilderness in which he operated.
The Butcher Baker: The Chilling Tale of Robert Hansen
In the frigid wilderness of Anchorage, Alaska, a sinister figure lurked between 1972 and 1983. Known as the "Butcher Baker," Robert Hansen, a once-unassuming local baker, unleashed a reign of terror that would leave at least seventeen women dead. This is the harrowing story of a man who hunted humans as if they were prey, equipped with a Ruger Mini-14 and hunting knives, before his eventual capture in 1983 and his sentencing to 461 years of imprisonment without parole.
Early Life
Robert Christian Boes Hansen was born on February 15, 1939, in Estherville, Iowa, to Edna Margret Hansen and Danish immigrant Christian "Chris" Hansen. His early life was marked by challenges; he suffered from a severe stutter and acne that left him scarred, and he struggled under the weight of his domineering father's expectations. Hansen found solace in hunting and archery, passions that would later take a dark turn.
In 1957, Hansen joined the United States Army Reserve, serving for a year before taking up a role as an assistant drill instructor at a police academy in Pocahontas, Iowa. There, he met his first wife, whom he married in 1960. However, his life was soon to take a dark path.
First Crimes
On December 7, 1960, driven by a need for revenge against his high school tormentors, Hansen set fire to a school bus garage in Hamilton County, Iowa, and was sentenced to three years in prison for arson. His imprisonment was cut short after twenty months, but the experience left scars. Diagnosed with manic depression and a schizoid personality, Hansen was noted for his "infantile personality" and a dangerous obsession with vengeance.
After several arrests for petty theft, Hansen moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1967 with his second wife, with whom he had two children. He opened a bakery and was well-liked in the community, even setting local hunting records. But beneath this facade, a monster was stirring.
In December 1971, Hansen was arrested twice—first for abducting and attempting to rape a housewife, and then for raping a sex worker. He pleaded no contest to the assault charge and served only six months of a five-year sentence due to a plea bargain. In 1976, he was caught stealing a chainsaw and was sentenced to five years, though he was released early after psychiatric treatment.
The Murders Begin
Authorities believe Hansen began his killing spree around 1972. His modus operandi involved stalking his victims, abducting them, and taking them to the wilderness where he would release and then hunt them. His victims were often sex workers or teenagers, but Hansen's first suspected murder was that of 18-year-old Celia Van Zanten in 1971, although he denied involvement.
The turning point came on June 13, 1983, when Hansen abducted 17-year-old Cindy Paulson. After offering her $200 for oral sex, he held her captive, intending to fly her to his remote cabin. Paulson managed a daring escape while Hansen prepared his plane, leaving behind her blue sneakers as evidence. She was rescued by a passing truck driver and alerted the police, but Hansen's reputation and an alibi provided by a friend initially protected him from suspicion.
The Investigation
Detective Glenn Flothe of the Alaska State Troopers was investigating a series of murders when Paulson's case crossed his desk. Bodies had been found in remote areas, and Flothe enlisted the help of FBI profiler John E. Douglas. The profile suggested the killer was an experienced hunter with a stutter and low self-esteem, who kept "souvenirs" of his murders.
Hansen fit the profile perfectly. With Paulson's testimony and the FBI's profile, authorities obtained a warrant to search Hansen's property. On October 27, 1983, they found jewelry belonging to the victims, a stash of firearms, and an aviation map marked with "x"s—locations where bodies were later discovered.
Confession and Conviction
Faced with overwhelming evidence, Hansen confessed to his crimes, admitting to a spree of assaults and murders starting in 1971. He eventually confessed to murdering at least seventeen women, although investigators suspect there may have been more.
Hansen was charged with the murders of Sherry Morrow, Joanna Messina, Eklutna Annie, and Paula Goulding, as well as the abduction and rape of Cindy Paulson. He was sentenced to 461 years in prison, where he would remain until his death in 2014.
Victims
The tragic list of Hansen's known victims includes Celia Van Zanten, Megan Emerick, Mary Thill, Eklutna Annie, Joanna Messina, Roxane Easland, Lisa Futrell, and Sherry Morrow. Each woman's story is a haunting reminder of the Butcher Baker's brutality.
Legacy
Robert Hansen's crimes have left an indelible mark on Alaska's history, a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath a seemingly benign exterior. His story serves as a grim testament to the power of thorough investigation and the bravery of survivors like Cindy Paulson, whose courage helped bring a killer to justice.
Sources
For the full details and more about Robert Hansen, please visit Wikipedia Article on Robert Hansen.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Known Abduction
Celia van Zanten, 18, is kidnapped and later found dead, believed to be Hansen's first victim.
Cindy Paulson Escapes
Cindy Paulson escapes from Hansen's captivity, providing crucial evidence to police.
Hansen Arrested
Robert Hansen is arrested after evidence from Paulson's testimony leads police to search his home.
Charges Filed
Hansen is charged with multiple counts of murder, kidnapping, and assault.
Plea Bargain
Hansen enters a plea bargain, admitting to four murders in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Victim Remains Found
Authorities recover the remains of several victims based on Hansen's confessions and map.
Sentencing
Hansen is sentenced to 461 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
Hansen Dies
Robert Hansen dies of natural causes in prison at the age of 75.