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Robert Hansen

Also known as: Butcher Baker, Bob the Baker

Active
1971–1983
Region
Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Status
Pleaded guilty
Victims
14

Robert Hansen, an Anchorage baker and private pilot, abducted and killed women in Southcentral Alaska from the early 1970s until 1983, often flying them to remote areas. He came under suspicion after a 17-year-old escaped from him at Merrill Field in June 1983, and a search of his home turned up victims' jewelry, guns and an aviation chart marked with dozens of x's. In February 1984 he pleaded guilty to four murders (Sherry Morrow, Joanna Messina, Paula Goulding and the unidentified "Eklutna Annie"), admitted to 17, and led investigators to graves marked on his map; he was sentenced to 461 years.

Victims

We remember the people whose lives were taken.

Timeline of locations

  1. July 1980
    Eklutna recovery site (Recovery site, approximate area)

    Construction workers found the remains of a woman, later called "Eklutna Annie", in woods along a power line about a mile south of Eklutna Lake Road. Hansen later admitted killing her.

  2. July 8, 1980
    Gravel pit near Seward (Recovery site, approximate area)

    Joanna Messina's body was found in a gravel pit near Seward.

  3. September 12, 1982
    Knik River graves (found 1982-1983) (Recovery site, approximate area)

    Hunters found Sherry Morrow's grave on the banks of the Knik River in September 1982, and Paula Goulding's grave was found near the river in September 1983. Shell casings at the Morrow site came from a .223 Ruger Mini-14, the type of rifle later found in Hansen's home. Exact sites are not public.

  4. June 13, 1983
    Hansen's home (Muldoon) (Killer's residence, approximate area)

    Hansen held a 17-year-old captive at his home in the Muldoon neighborhood in June 1983. On October 27, 1983, investigators searching the house found victims' jewelry, firearms and an aviation chart with 37 x marks hidden behind his headboard.

  5. June 13, 1983
    Merrill Field (escape) (Other)

    While Hansen loaded his Piper Super Cub at this Anchorage airport, the 17-year-old he had abducted escaped from his car, still handcuffed, and ran to Sixth Avenue for help. Her report later led investigators to Hansen.

  6. October 27, 1983
    Arrest in Anchorage (Arrest, approximate area)

    Hansen was arrested in Anchorage after the search of his home, plane and vehicles. A rifle from the house was later matched by ballistics to bullets from crime scenes.

  7. 1984
    Federal prison, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania (Prison)

    Hansen first served his sentence at the federal penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

  8. February 1984
    Plea and sentencing in Anchorage (Court / trial, approximate area)

    Hansen pleaded guilty to four murders in Anchorage in February 1984 and was sentenced to 461 years. Under the plea deal he admitted to 17 killings and helped locate graves.

  9. April 24, 1984
    Knik River area recoveries (1984-1985) (Recovery site, approximate area)

    After his plea, Hansen helped decode his map and led investigators to graves. Sue Luna was found near the Knik River in April 1984 and Tamera Pederson about 1.5 miles from the Old Knik Bridge. DeLynne Frey's remains were found on a Knik River sandbar in 1985. Exact sites are not public.

  10. 1988
    Lemon Creek Correctional Center (Prison)

    Returned to Alaska in 1988, Hansen was held briefly at Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau.

  11. 1988
    Spring Creek Correctional Center (Prison)

    Hansen was among the first inmates at Spring Creek in Seward and remained there until May 2014.

  12. May 2014
    Anchorage Correctional Complex (Prison)

    Hansen was moved here in May 2014 for medical care. He died on August 21, 2014, at age 75, at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage.

Sources

Each location also lists its own sources in the data file.