The Butcher Baker: the Dark World of Robert Hansen, The Human Hunter
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At first glance, Robert Hansen might have seemed like a completely ordinary man. A skilled baker, respected family man, and avid hunter, his life appeared to be the epitome of stability and normalcy.
However, Hansen lived a twisted double life beneath his seemingly regular exterior.
Getting lost in the true story of “The Butcher Baker: The True Story of Robert Hansen, The Human Hunter” left me shocked, horrified, and unable to turn away.
As I began diving deeper into the bone-chilling tale, I couldn’t help but feel the need to share it with you. Not only because it’s a gripping story, but also to help you understand the dark depths people can hide behind seemingly normal exteriors.
Note: For those sensitive to graphic content, this story contains descriptions of violence and murder. Proceed with caution.
From Family Man to Serial Killer: The Evolution of Robert Hansen
The bizarre and twisted transformation of Robert Hansen, from a quiet family man to The Butcher Baker we know today. At the core of this descent into darkness was his insatiable desire for control, power, and the degradation of his victims. But what could have possibly led him down this horrifying path?
Early Life and Troubles
Born in Iowa in 1939, Hansen grew up in a strict household where his father, a Danish immigrant, ruled the roost. Young Robert was constantly tormented by his peers, and his desperate yearning to fit in would come to define his future criminal behavior.
Escalating Criminal Behavior
From petty theft to arson, Hansen’s criminal activities began to intensify as he sought an outlet for his rage and frustration. The escalation of his behavior would eventually culminate in a string of sexual assaults, kidnappings, and atrocious murders that stunned the world.
The Hideous Hunting Grounds
As a skilled hunter, Hansen saw his victims as prey, treating them like nothing more than animals. He’d abduct women, release them into the Alaskan wilderness, and hunt them down for sport.
The remote location and frigid temperatures made it a deadly hunting ground, leaving no chance of escape for these innocent women.
How Hansen’s Reign of Terror Came to an End
The Breakthrough Moment
Cindy Paulson, one of Hansen’s intended victims, managed to escape his brutal clutches and provided crucial information, marking a turning point in the case.
Investigation and Arrest
Cindy Paulson’s Escape
The investigation into Robert Hansen’s crimes began when Cindy Paulson, a 17-year-old sex worker, was abducted by Hansen at gunpoint, brutally assaulted, and taken to a motel.
Bound and gagged, Paulson waited for an opportunity to escape. From Hansen’s car and ran to a nearby service station for help. She told Alaska State Troopers that Hansen had picked her up, handcuffed her, and taken her to his home, where he raped her.
Hansen then took her to Merrill Field, a small airport in Anchorage, where he attempted to load her onto his private plane. Paulson managed to escape when Hansen became distracted, and she ran for help.
Paulson’s testimony, combined with physical evidence found at Hansen’s home and in his car, led to his arrest on October 27, 1983. Hansen was charged with kidnapping, rape, and assault.
FBI Involvement
The FBI became involved in the case when Hansen’s wife told investigators that he had a map of Anchorage with X’s marking the locations where he had buried his victims. The FBI brought in a profiler, Roy Hazelwood, who helped identify Hansen’s likely hunting grounds and the type of women he targeted.
Hansen eventually confessed to killing 17 women and was sentenced to 461 years in prison. He died in 2014 at the age of 75.
The investigation and arrest of Robert Hansen was a significant moment in the history of the FBI’s involvement in serial killer cases. It was one of the first times that the FBI had used profiling techniques to help identify a suspect and locate victims. The Butcher Baker remains one of the worst serial killers in American history, and his crimes continue to be studied by law enforcement agencies and criminologists to this day.
Trial and Sentence
After his arrest in 1983, Robert Hansen was charged with four counts of murder, one count of kidnapping, and multiple counts of rape and assault. He initially pleaded not guilty to all charges, but later changed his plea to guilty on all counts except for one murder charge.
At his trial, Hansen was portrayed as a family man and successful businessman, but the evidence against him was overwhelming. The prosecution presented a map of the area around Anchorage, Alaska, with X’s marking the locations where Hansen had buried the bodies of his victims. They also presented physical evidence, including a hunting knife and a .223-caliber Mini-14 rifle, that linked Hansen to the crimes.
Hansen’s son, Christian Hansen, testified against his father at trial. He described how his father had taken him on hunting trips and had shown him the graves of some of his victims. He also testified that his father had sexually abused him as a child.
After a month-long trial, Hansen was found guilty on all counts. He was sentenced to 461 years plus life in prison without the possibility of parole. Hansen was sent to Spring Creek Correctional Center, a maximum-security prison in Seward, Alaska. He spent the rest of his life in prison, where he died on August 21, 2014, at the age of 75.
Hansen’s time in prison was not without incident. In 1988, he attacked a fellow inmate with a homemade knife, and in 1996, he attacked a prison guard. Hansen also tried to escape from prison twice, once in 1988 and again in 1997. In both cases, he was quickly recaptured.
Hansen’s former drill instructor in the Army, Sergeant John Jentz, described him as a “good soldier” who was “very quiet and very private.” Jentz also said that he was not surprised to hear about Hansen’s crimes, as he had always been “a little bit different.”
Legacy
The story of Robert Hansen, also known as “The Butcher Baker,” has left a lasting impact on the true crime genre. The heinous nature of his crimes and the fact that he was able to evade capture for so long have made him a subject of fascination for many.
Media Portrayals
Hansen’s story has been the subject of several media portrayals. In 2013, the film “The Frozen Ground” was released, which starred Nicolas Cage as a state trooper who teams up with a young woman to bring Hansen to justice. The film was praised for its accuracy and attention to detail.
In addition to the film, Hansen’s story has been featured on several true crime television shows, including “Mindhunter.” The show, which is based on the book by John Douglas, features a character based on Hansen and his crimes.
True Crime Genre
Hansen’s story has also had a significant impact on the true crime genre. His crimes were the subject of the nonfiction book “The Butcher Baker: The True Story of Robert Hansen, The Human Hunter” by Genoveva Ortiz and True Crime Seven. The book provides a detailed account of Hansen’s crimes and the investigation that ultimately led to his capture.
“The Butcher Baker” has become a popular book within the true crime community and has helped to keep Hansen’s story alive. The book’s popularity has also led to a renewed interest in Hansen’s crimes and the investigation that brought him to justice.
In conclusion, Robert Hansen’s story has had a lasting impact on the true crime genre. His crimes have been the subject of several media portrayals and have helped to shape the way that true crime stories are told.
The Butcher Baker will continue to be a subject of fascination for many years to come.
