Episode 42: The Butcher Baker - Alaskan Serial Killer Robert Hansen

Imagine taking a trip to the glacial wilderness along the Knik River in Alaska. Taking in the beautiful scenery, the crisp cold air and possibly seeing the northern lights. Everything surrounding you filling you with tranquility. Whether you’re there to hunt or to hike, it is impossible to miss its beauty. But while taking that in and setting up camp for the night you stumble upon an odd boot on the ground and when you go to investigate, you quickly realize that the boot is attached to a body. Your calm and serene experience turned into a nightmare. That is what happened for two off duty officers back in the 1980’s. But the body they found wouldn’t be the only body that would be located in the following years.  The 1970s and 1980s in Alaska some refer to as a period of time similar to the Wild Wild West. While some had lived in Alaska for generations, others found there way there while running from their pasts. It was a place people could start fresh and no one would ever really question it. But what happens, when the new family in town brings along an evil that would unleash terror on the community. Once considered a church going family man, bakery owner Robert Hansen would eventually be known as the Butcher Baker.  This story is a reminder that evil is everywhere. And it may even lurk behind the counter at your favorite local bakery. 

 

Sources:

Very Scary People – The Butcher Baker, Part 1 – S3, E3 & E4

Wikipedia – Robert Hansen - Robert Hansen - Wikipedia

Anchorage Daily News – November 5, 1983 – Bakery owner denies kidnap, rape charges – Sheila Toomey – Retrieved: February 7, 2025

Anchorage Daily News – December 9, 1983 – Judge refuses request to close rape-kidnap case – Sheila Toomey – Retrieved: February 7, 2025

Anchorage Daily News – February 28, 1984 – Profile of a man described as ‘just a little bit different from the rest of us’ – Sheila Toomey – Retrieved: February 7, 2025

Anchorage Daily News – February 28, 1984 – Anchorage man admits killing 17 women - Sheila Toomey – Retrieved: February 7, 2025

Anchorage Daily News – February 28, 1984 – Man confesses murders, sentenced to life plus 461 years - Sheila Toomey – Retrieved: February 7, 2025

Wikipedia – Bush Plane - Bush plane - Wikipedia – Retrieved: February 8, 2025

2021 Alaska Statutes Title 11 – Chapter 46 – Article 1 – Sec. 11.46.190 - Alaska Statutes § 11.46.190 (2021) - Theft by receiving. :: 2021 Alaska Statutes :: U.S. Codes and Statutes :: U.S. Law :: Justia

Grunge – How the Butcher Baker was eventually caught – Thomm Quackenbush – May 4, 2021 - How The Butcher Baker Was Eventually Caught – Retrieved: February 8, 2025