Ep 12 The Butcher Baker: The Chilling Crimes of Robert Hansen

True Crime with Lux Podcast

Hey everyone, today I'm going to be telling you about Robert Hansen, also known as the Butcher Baker. Born in Esterville, Iowa, on February 15th, 1939, Hansen had a troubled childhood and a strained relationship with his father. After a brief stint in the United States Army Reserve, his criminal activities began with the arson of a school bus garage in 1960.

Hansen's crimes escalated after he moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1963. From petty theft, his actions turned to abductions, rapes, and murders. His first known victim, Celia Beth Van Zanten, was found murdered in December 1971. Over the years, many women went missing or were found dead, with Hansen's involvement suspected in numerous cases.

Hansen's terrifying spree included the murders of Megan Emmerich, Mary Kathleen Thill, and Sherry Morrow, among others. He employed brutal methods, often abducting women and then hunting them in the Alaskan wilderness. One of his surviving victims, Cindy Paulson, managed to escape and provided crucial information that led to Hansen's capture.

In 1983, authorities searched Hansen's property, uncovering evidence that linked him to the crimes, including a map with marked locations of where victims' bodies were found. Despite initially denying his involvement, Hansen eventually confessed to multiple murders.

Robert Hansen was sentenced to 461 years in prison without the possibility of parole and died in 2014 from natural causes. His gruesome legacy as the Butcher Baker remains a chilling reminder of his heinous acts.

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