Photo: Alaska State Troopers · Public domain

Born in United States · Nationality American — Crime / mafias / terrorism / criminal cases

Robert Hansen

Documented profile covering 13 controversies, including “2021–2026: 'Horseshoe Harriet' identified as Robin Pelkey; Eklutna Annie remains last unidentified victim” and “2014: death in custody aged 75”.

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Profile No. 2541 · Updated on 12 October 2026

13Documented controversies

5Sources

4 followed by a conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2021–2026

2021–2026: 'Horseshoe Harriet' identified as Robin Pelkey; Eklutna Annie remains last unidentified victim

No legal proceedings

In 2021, Alaska identified 'Horseshoe Harriet' as Robin Pelkey through forensic genetic genealogy. Authorities stated that Eklutna Annie remained Hansen's last unidentified victim.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Protagonist is the victim

Sources · 1

[1]
Alaska Department of Public SafetyVictim of Serial Killer Robert Hansen Identified 37 Years After She Was DiscoveredOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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21 August 2014

2014: death in custody aged 75

No legal proceedings

Hansen died aged 75 after spending approximately thirty years in prison for his crimes.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
PeopleRobert Hansen Hunted 17 Women in the Alaska Woods, but Police Didn't Even Know Most Were Missing. Here's How the Serial Killer Was Finally CaughtPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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Case · 7 documented stages

1984: guilty plea to four murders and other offences

Conviction

February 1984

1984: guilty plea to four murders and other offences

Conviction

Hansen entered into an agreement and pleaded guilty to murdering four women — including Eklutna Annie, Joanna Messina, Sherry Morrow and Paula Goulding — as well as other offences.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The Washington PostAlaskan Says He Killed 17PressVery high reliability
[2]
UPISentenced to life plus 461 yearsNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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February 1984

1984: confession to 17 murders and approximately 30 rapes

Conviction

As part of his cooperation, Hansen admitted 17 murders and approximately 30 rapes over several years and provided information about where bodies had been abandoned.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The Washington PostAlaskan Says He Killed 17PressVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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27–28 February 1984

1984: life imprisonment plus 461 years, with no realistic prospect of release

Conviction

Judge Ralph Moody sentenced Hansen to life imprisonment plus 461 years, a sentence intended to ensure that he would never be released.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
UPISentenced to life plus 461 yearsNews agencyHigh reliability
[2]
The Washington PostAlaskan Says He Killed 17PressVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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années 1970–1983

1970s–1983: abductions, rapes and murders of women around Anchorage

Conviction

For years, Hansen carried out a series of attacks against women in Alaska, several of whom were taken to isolated areas and then killed. He would confess to 17 murders and approximately 30 rapes.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The Washington PostAlaskan Says He Killed 17PressVery high reliability
[2]
PeopleRobert Hansen Hunted 17 Women in the Alaska Woods, but Police Didn't Even Know Most Were Missing. Here's How the Serial Killer Was Finally CaughtPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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13 June 1983

1983: Cindy Paulson escapes kidnapping and sexual assault

Conviction

Cindy Paulson, aged 17, managed to escape while Hansen was preparing his aircraft after holding and assaulting her. Her detailed account provided investigators with a major breakthrough.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
PeopleRobert Hansen Hunted 17 Women in the Alaska Woods, but Police Didn't Even Know Most Were Missing. Here's How the Serial Killer Was Finally CaughtPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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October 1983

1983: search warrant — weapons, victims' jewellery and marked map discovered

Conviction

Searches of Hansen's home, vehicles and aircraft uncovered weapons, jewellery belonging to missing women and an aeronautical chart bearing numerous markings corresponding to locations of bodies or burial sites.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
PeopleRobert Hansen Hunted 17 Women in the Alaska Woods, but Police Didn't Even Know Most Were Missing. Here's How the Serial Killer Was Finally CaughtPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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27 October–November 1983

1983: arrest and charges following Paulson case and searches

Conviction

Hansen was arrested and faced several charges involving kidnapping, weapons, theft and fraud while investigators built the homicide case.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
PeopleRobert Hansen Hunted 17 Women in the Alaska Woods, but Police Didn't Even Know Most Were Missing. Here's How the Serial Killer Was Finally CaughtPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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printemps 1984

1984: searches guided by his map and recovery of several bodies

No legal proceedings

Following the thaw, Hansen accompanied or guided investigators to locations marked on his map. Bodies were recovered, including several in remote areas accessible by aircraft.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
UPIPolice find 11th victim of serial killerNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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1976–1978

1976–1978: theft conviction, initial five-year sentence subsequently reduced

Conviction

Hansen pleaded guilty after stealing a chainsaw. Initially sentenced to five years, he subsequently obtained a sentence reduction and was released for time already served.

State of the evidence: Established by a court
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
UPISentenced to life plus 461 yearsNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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December 1971

1971: kidnapping and attempted sexual assault of woman — plea to reduced charge

Conviction

Hansen was arrested after kidnapping and attempting to sexually assault a woman; under an agreement, he pleaded no contest to an assault with a weapon charge while a separate rape charge was dropped.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
PeopleRobert Hansen Hunted 17 Women in the Alaska Woods, but Police Didn't Even Know Most Were Missing. Here's How the Serial Killer Was Finally CaughtPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

1960–1962

1960–1962: arson attack on school bus garage in Iowa and imprisonment

Conviction

At 21, Hansen was arrested for setting fire to a school bus garage in Iowa and served approximately twenty months in prison.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
PeopleRobert Hansen Hunted 17 Women in the Alaska Woods, but Police Didn't Even Know Most Were Missing. Here's How the Serial Killer Was Finally CaughtPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

Add to this entry

II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

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