Robert Christian Hansen

Serial Killer

Robert Christian Hansen: The "Butcher Baker" of Alaska

Background and Early Criminal History

Robert Christian Hansen was born on February 15, 1939, in Estherville, Iowa. He later became one of Alaska's most notorious serial killers. After moving to Anchorage in 1967, Hansen built a seemingly ordinary life as a husband, father, baker, pilot, and experienced hunter. Behind that respectable appearance, however, he developed a long pattern of violent crimes against women. By the time he was finally arrested in 1983, Hansen had sexually assaulted numerous women and had murdered at least 17. Investigators believed the true number of victims may have been higher. Hansen had a criminal record before the Alaska murders began. In 1960, he was convicted after setting fire to a school bus garage in Iowa and served time in prison. After moving to Alaska, his crimes became increasingly violent. In December 1971, he was arrested in separate cases involving the abduction and attempted rape of one woman and the rape of another. Despite these warning signs, Hansen continued living in Anchorage and eventually operated a bakery while pursuing his interest in hunting and aviation.

His Method of Abduction and Murder

Hansen generally targeted women in Anchorage, including dancers and sex workers. He sometimes approached them by offering money for photographs or companionship. Once a woman was inside his vehicle, Hansen could use a firearm to threaten and control her. Victims were sometimes taken to his Anchorage home before being transported to more isolated locations. Hansen owned a small airplane, giving him access to wilderness areas that were difficult to reach by road. Several victims were taken to remote locations around the Knik River, Knik Arm, and other areas of Southcentral Alaska. Hansen admitted that he sometimes forced victims into the wilderness before killing them. Accounts of his crimes describe him using his hunting experience to pursue some women after allowing them to run, then shooting them with hunting weapons. Other victims were shot or stabbed without such a pursuit. The isolation of these locations helped Hansen conceal his crimes. Bodies could remain undiscovered for months or years, and several women he admitted killing have never been found. ...

Confirmed Victims: (14)

Megan Emerick Age: (17), Date of Death: 1973-07-07

Suspected Victims:

Beth Van Zanten Age: (18), Date of Death: 1971-12-22

Survivors:

Cindy Paulson Age: (17), Date of Attack: June 13, 1983

Victim of Serial Killer Robert Hansen Identified 37 Years After She ...