Nicholas Pileggi, author of "Wiseguy" got the chance to write a book about the Mob in Las Vegas, after meeting the real life "Sam Rothstein" Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, and getting the full story from the horse`s mouth. Pileggi wrote the screenplay with Director Martin Scorcese first, then wrote the book "Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas". This book is a little difficult to obtain in this country, I know, I`ve tried, though I did manage to get a copy, eventually, through the library. So how close to the truth is it? So much is fiction, but some events from the past are brought into it, and a good number of events did happen.
Rosenthal was a stickler for detail, and lived and breathed gambling, as portrayed by De Niro, but this attention to detail led to big problems with the Gaming Commission. He did fire an incompetent manager, who was a close buddy of Commission member Pete Escheverrier(Hope I spelt it right) and he tried to get him a job back at the Casino but Rosenthal would not budge. The Commission started looking at his Gaming Application, and Rosenthal did have gambling convictions, plus , he was known to be close to the Outfit - the Chicago Mob). He did marry a much younger woman, Geri, who eventually did have a fling with Chicago`s muscleman in Vegas, Tony Spilotro. He did survive a car bomb, he did have a TV show broadcast from the Casino. The Tangiers was in fact The Stardust. After leaving Vegas, he did go down to Baton Rouge, and worked down there, until his death, about two years ago.
Tony Spilotro (Nicky Santoro) was a short but extremely violent man from Chicago, was initiated into the Outfit, knew Rosenthal for many years, and went out to Vegas to oversee the skim from the Stardust, but what followed, destroyed the Mob in Vegas forever. The scene of torture of the guy who shot up a bar was real, but happened way back in the early sixties. Two men were found dead in the trunk of a car, throats cut, and one had had his head put into a vice. It was generally thought that the two had decided not to pay the "street tax" - a cut of their booty that should be given to the mob. He was thought to have been responsible for numerous murders, he did have a jewelry store where he and his crew operated from, and did have fall outs with Rosenthal. He wanted to set up his own "family" in Vegas, as in the film he was referred to as the "Unofficial crime boss of Vegas" but eventually they all tumbled. Spilotro, along with his brother Michael were beaten to death, not in a field but apparently in a basement. They were buried in a field. Spilotro was thought to have murdered his former boss, Sam Giancana, in his home in the mid 70`s.
Rosenthals` wife Geri, was as portrayed by Sharon Stone, she loved money, loved the glamour, hit the booze, but later had a relationship with Spilotro. Spilotro never found out that Rosenthal had discovered the affair. Rosenthal repeatedly implored his wife not to say anything to Spilotro, as he would have killed them both. Rosenthal had a reason to go to Chicago and complain about Spilotro, as this would not have gone down well with the bosses, but did not want trouble. Geri, despite her out of control drinking and drug taking, kept quiet. She left Rosenthal, did the rounds of various men, drug users, boozers and died. Pileggi believed that Rosenthal still loved his wife, the Geri he married, not the Geri she became. With various bosses from Chicago, Kansas City, all fell in court, and the Mob lost it`s grip in Vegas.
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Gangland - The Galloping Goose MC
Time to take a look at an outlaw motorcycle gang - OMG - that is not a big name outside of the USA, and today it is the Galloping Goose MC, one of the long time bike clubs. The club was formed in 1942 by a guy called Dick Hershberg as a racing club with it`s riders and friends. They were chartered in 1946, and established chapters in various states. They were one of the clubs at the infamous gathering of bikers in Holister in 1947, made into the film "The Wild One" with Marlon Brando and Lee Marvin, six years later.
The GGMC has long had a very close association with another OMG, the El Forastero MC, and even shared a clubhouse with them when the EF chartered a chapter in Kansas City in 1965. The GG has had a grip on Kansas City since the 1950`s but now inroads are being made into their territory that expanded for one hundred miles around Kansas City by rival outlaw clubs. They took over the Pharaohs MC in the 80`s & 90`s, and had the Midwest Drifters as a puppet gang, using them basically as errand boys.
It was in 2009 that Police busted all the KC El Forastero chapter and a number of the Goose, on various charges and the EF are said to be no longer in KC. The Goose have also lost numbers due to age and one Law Enforcement officer said that they have steadily been recruiting. Clubs moving in have included the Outlaws, Bandidos, Mongols, Vagos & Sons of Silence. The Goose are affiliated with the Hells Angels, whilst all the other clubs are deadly rivals to the Angels. The Goose have a dozen chapters, mainly around Missouri and Louisiana.
The GGMC has long had a very close association with another OMG, the El Forastero MC, and even shared a clubhouse with them when the EF chartered a chapter in Kansas City in 1965. The GG has had a grip on Kansas City since the 1950`s but now inroads are being made into their territory that expanded for one hundred miles around Kansas City by rival outlaw clubs. They took over the Pharaohs MC in the 80`s & 90`s, and had the Midwest Drifters as a puppet gang, using them basically as errand boys.
It was in 2009 that Police busted all the KC El Forastero chapter and a number of the Goose, on various charges and the EF are said to be no longer in KC. The Goose have also lost numbers due to age and one Law Enforcement officer said that they have steadily been recruiting. Clubs moving in have included the Outlaws, Bandidos, Mongols, Vagos & Sons of Silence. The Goose are affiliated with the Hells Angels, whilst all the other clubs are deadly rivals to the Angels. The Goose have a dozen chapters, mainly around Missouri and Louisiana.
Gary Ridgway - An Opinion
Following the last couple of posts regarding the Green River Murders, I thought that an opinion of the killer himself, is due. Was Ridgway a sociopath? I think not. Why? Lately I have been taking more notice of behaviour of the perpetrator within his crimes, under arrest and in court. The first clue was the interrogation by Dave Reichert of Ridgway. As he kept the pressure on Ridgway, Reichert leaned closer and closer to him, and Ridgway was leaning further and further back. He was obviously intimidated by Reichert, whereas a sociopath would not be intimidated, because in their twisted and warped mind, they have done no wrong whatsoever. A sociopath is NEVER wrong, he is NEVER at fault, and has the confidence to guide them through any tough interrogation. The general view is "So What!"
Another pointer, to me, was his insistence that many of his victims allow him to have sex "doggy style" because once he started to strangle them from behind with his arm across their throats, he did not have to face them, he would not witness the life going from them. A sociopath would not be scared of that, he would relish it. He is in total control and the dying victim would see it in his eyes.
At the trial, during the sentencing phase, where families of the victims spoke out about what he had done to their families, one man whose daughter he had murdered, gave forgiveness to Ridgway because of his religious faith that he believed in, and one important part was forgiveness. He was the only one who showed compassion, not that Ridgway deserved any. He started wiping tears away. Cynics would say that they were crocodile tears, ala Jeremy Bamber and the very public display of emotion and tears at the funeral of the family he slaughtered. A sociopath would not shed tears for real.
Lastly, Ridgway considerably slowed down his killing spree when he was with Judith, his third wife. Although he admitted "falling of the wagon about a dozen times" whilst he was married to her, it is still far less than the two year plus mass slaughter he carried out in the early to mid-eighties. Judith was obviously so different in character and morality from his first two wives and his mother, that possibly Judith was the first woman he had ever made love to. He possibly viewed her as a lady who behaved as a lady should. A sociopath would never have feelings like that. What do you think?
Another pointer, to me, was his insistence that many of his victims allow him to have sex "doggy style" because once he started to strangle them from behind with his arm across their throats, he did not have to face them, he would not witness the life going from them. A sociopath would not be scared of that, he would relish it. He is in total control and the dying victim would see it in his eyes.
At the trial, during the sentencing phase, where families of the victims spoke out about what he had done to their families, one man whose daughter he had murdered, gave forgiveness to Ridgway because of his religious faith that he believed in, and one important part was forgiveness. He was the only one who showed compassion, not that Ridgway deserved any. He started wiping tears away. Cynics would say that they were crocodile tears, ala Jeremy Bamber and the very public display of emotion and tears at the funeral of the family he slaughtered. A sociopath would not shed tears for real.
Lastly, Ridgway considerably slowed down his killing spree when he was with Judith, his third wife. Although he admitted "falling of the wagon about a dozen times" whilst he was married to her, it is still far less than the two year plus mass slaughter he carried out in the early to mid-eighties. Judith was obviously so different in character and morality from his first two wives and his mother, that possibly Judith was the first woman he had ever made love to. He possibly viewed her as a lady who behaved as a lady should. A sociopath would never have feelings like that. What do you think?
Monday, 30 September 2013
Dave Reichert - Green River Cop
One of the main cops involved in the hunt for Gary Ridgway and always subsequently pops up in documentaries on the case, is Dave Reichert, who was there right from the start. Whilst at the scene of one of the earliest victims found in the Green River, he went down a grassy slope and stumbled over another body. He was never able to catch the killer but he did interview him many years later, when DNA evidence led to him.
David George Reichert was born in Detroit Lakes in Minnesota on August 29th 1950, and in 1951 his family moved to Washington State, settling first in Renton, then in Kent, in King County. He attended Kent Meridian High School and graduated in 1968, then went to Concordia Lutheran College, in Portland in Oregon, gaining an AA in Social Work in 1970. He then joined the Air Force Reserve serving active duty spells until 1976. He joined the King County Sheriffs Department in 1972, and rose through the ranks, through the years he had become Commander of a SWAT unit, a bomb disposal unit, a hostage negotiation unit and even Internal Affairs. He joined the Green River team at the start, but failed to catch the killer. He believed taxi driver Melvyn Foster was the killer at first, because Foster tried to put himself at the centre of the investigation, probably thinking "I am the key to this case" but basically showing an ego problem.
In 1997, he was elected Sheriff of King County and re-elected in 2001. He interviewed Gary Ridgway, and a clip from this interview showed Reichert leaning close in to Ridgway, and Ridgway leaning as far back as he can. He showed fear as Reichert leaned towards him but he had no fear strangling all his victims! Married with three children, Reichert went into politics after retiring from the Police and was elected to the House of Representatives as a Republican.
There were many protests by women's` groups that the Police did not care about the Green River killer because the victims were prostitutes, but this was untrue as not only Reichert, Fae Brooks, Matt Haney, Sue Peters, Randy Mullinax, and many others, put in extraordinary amounts of time into trying to catch Ridgway, that even threatened their home life. Yes, there are cops like that but not all. Many give their all to the investigations, but surprisingly, many negative comments about the victims actually came from townspeople! Not surprisingly, these never raise their heads into the public domain. It is ALWAYS the cops. The media does have a lot to answer for.
David George Reichert was born in Detroit Lakes in Minnesota on August 29th 1950, and in 1951 his family moved to Washington State, settling first in Renton, then in Kent, in King County. He attended Kent Meridian High School and graduated in 1968, then went to Concordia Lutheran College, in Portland in Oregon, gaining an AA in Social Work in 1970. He then joined the Air Force Reserve serving active duty spells until 1976. He joined the King County Sheriffs Department in 1972, and rose through the ranks, through the years he had become Commander of a SWAT unit, a bomb disposal unit, a hostage negotiation unit and even Internal Affairs. He joined the Green River team at the start, but failed to catch the killer. He believed taxi driver Melvyn Foster was the killer at first, because Foster tried to put himself at the centre of the investigation, probably thinking "I am the key to this case" but basically showing an ego problem.
In 1997, he was elected Sheriff of King County and re-elected in 2001. He interviewed Gary Ridgway, and a clip from this interview showed Reichert leaning close in to Ridgway, and Ridgway leaning as far back as he can. He showed fear as Reichert leaned towards him but he had no fear strangling all his victims! Married with three children, Reichert went into politics after retiring from the Police and was elected to the House of Representatives as a Republican.
There were many protests by women's` groups that the Police did not care about the Green River killer because the victims were prostitutes, but this was untrue as not only Reichert, Fae Brooks, Matt Haney, Sue Peters, Randy Mullinax, and many others, put in extraordinary amounts of time into trying to catch Ridgway, that even threatened their home life. Yes, there are cops like that but not all. Many give their all to the investigations, but surprisingly, many negative comments about the victims actually came from townspeople! Not surprisingly, these never raise their heads into the public domain. It is ALWAYS the cops. The media does have a lot to answer for.
In Memoriam of victims of Gary Ridgway
One thing that is missing in writing about crimes and criminals, and that is the victims. So, I will do some "In Memoriam" posts of victims of killers and serial killers. Today I kick off with three short bios of three of the many victims of Green River killer, Gary Leon Ridgway. First off, we have Gisele Lovvorn, born in California on February 26th 1965, and she was an exceptional and gifted youngster who was an enthusiastic reader and had an IQ of 145, which can put her in the genius category. However, she suffered at school, thinking that she was an outsider, and she was later frequently bullied. I get the impression that she was an individual rather than a follower, and this does put people into difficult and awkward situations, simply because they are not a toady or "yes" person. She decided to ditch school and travelled around the country following her favourite band, The Grateful Dead. Nothing wrong in that, being a "Dead Head". It was believed that it was during this period that she fell into prostitution, and it was on 17th June 1982, she disappeared from the Pacific Highway South. Two months later, her remains were discovered in woods close to the SeaTac Airport. Ridgway confessed to killing her in 2003.
Carrie Ann Rois was born on February 15th 1968 but did not have a solid, stable family life, with her mother and father divorcing, and her mother remarrying twice. She claimed that her second stepfather had molested her, and moved in with her father but that did not go well. She ended up in and out of homes, but eventually just walked out of one and never went back. She did keep in contact with her mother and did get along very well, but she ended up working the "Strip", an area of the Pacific Highway South that was notorious for prostitutes, where she plied for tricks with her friend. She vanished sometime between 31st May and June 15th from near the Pacific Highway South. Her remains were found near Star lake Road on March 10th 1985. Ridgway admitted to her murder.
Debra Bonner aged 22, was an early victim of Gary Ridgway. She was one of the victims actually found in the Green River, and Detective Dave Reichert was one of the Police officers on the scene. Debra was born in either 1959 or 1960 and grew up in Tacoma, where she had two siblings. She dropped out of high school but wanted to join the Navy, and even studied hard to get her GED`s, but things never go as planned for many people. She was desperately trying to get her life back on track, and even frequently phoned home to keep in contact with her family. She told her mother that she had problems with an abusive boyfriend. She left a motel to go and hustle on the Strip, and vanished on July 25th 1982, and then was found in the Green River on August 12th 1982. Ridgway later admitted her murder.
Carrie Ann Rois was born on February 15th 1968 but did not have a solid, stable family life, with her mother and father divorcing, and her mother remarrying twice. She claimed that her second stepfather had molested her, and moved in with her father but that did not go well. She ended up in and out of homes, but eventually just walked out of one and never went back. She did keep in contact with her mother and did get along very well, but she ended up working the "Strip", an area of the Pacific Highway South that was notorious for prostitutes, where she plied for tricks with her friend. She vanished sometime between 31st May and June 15th from near the Pacific Highway South. Her remains were found near Star lake Road on March 10th 1985. Ridgway admitted to her murder.
Debra Bonner aged 22, was an early victim of Gary Ridgway. She was one of the victims actually found in the Green River, and Detective Dave Reichert was one of the Police officers on the scene. Debra was born in either 1959 or 1960 and grew up in Tacoma, where she had two siblings. She dropped out of high school but wanted to join the Navy, and even studied hard to get her GED`s, but things never go as planned for many people. She was desperately trying to get her life back on track, and even frequently phoned home to keep in contact with her family. She told her mother that she had problems with an abusive boyfriend. She left a motel to go and hustle on the Strip, and vanished on July 25th 1982, and then was found in the Green River on August 12th 1982. Ridgway later admitted her murder.
Friday, 27 September 2013
Jay Dobyns -"Jaybird"
Jay Dobyns is a well known former undercover officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms - ATF - whom has worked on high intensity investigations into every aspect of the criminal underworld. He has worked against the Aryan Brotherhood, the Mob, and most famously, against the Hells Angels. But his huge efforts eventually led nowhere as he fell out with his superiors over protection for himself and his family, saying that they had left them vulnerable. Dobyns has since launched a civil lawsuit against his former employers.
Jay Anthony Dobyns was born on 24th July 1961, in Hammond, Indiana, and grew up in Tucson, Arizona. He attended Sahuaro High School and then University of Arizona where he became a football star, and excelled in numerous sports. He graduated in 1985 with a BS in Public Administration, and then played in the Canadian Football League and then in the US Football League. He decided to go for Law Enforcement and managed to gain entry to the prestigious ATF. Just after graduating from the Academy, he had to serve a warrant on a criminal who had just been released from prison, but the felon was armed and forced Dobyns into the drivers seat, screaming at him to drive. Officers surrounded the car with guns drawn. Dobyns pulled the key from the ignition and dropped it, so the felon shot him in the back with the bullet exiting from his chest area. The officers shot the gunman dead, then the stricken Dobyns was rushed to hospital, where a skilled surgeon saved his life.
Dobyns refused to accept a disability payoff and gradually worked his way back into the front line. He then took part in dozens and dozens of undercover operations, some of them very dangerous and high profile. He was undercover in Los Angeles during the rioting following the infamous Rodney King assault by LAPD officers, he was at Waco, Columbine and the Oklahoma bombing. His dedication to duty led to him receiving many awards for valor, bravery and excellence. His biggest job was soon to come.
In 2002, a deadly brawl broke out in a casino in Laughlin, Nevada, between the Hells Angels and their deadly rivals, the Mongols. Three were left dead, and many injured, so a decision was made to make a move on the Hells Angels. He then became "Jaybird" and for two years, he slowly made inroads with the Skull Valley chapter of the Angels, eventually saying he was "patched in" as a full patch member, something Sonny Barger and the Skull Valley chapter deny. Numerous arrests followed, including the killers of Cynthia Garcia, a woman whom had been persuaded to go to a "party" at an Angels clubhouse. Dobyns staged a "murder" of a Mongol, in reality a cop in "colours" of the Mongols, and had photos of the body presented to the Angels. However, internal disputes within the ATF resulted in a number of defendants facing severely reduced and even dismissed, charges. Now Dobyns had to receive protection as he and his family received death threats from organisations he had worked against.
Soon, all protection had been removed and in 2008, his house burned down with his family barely escaping. Dobyns fought to have his protection re-instated but his former bosses refused to budge. Dobyns decided to become a federal whistleblower and told of the total lack of protection and help the government agencies refused to give undercover operatives, and launched a lawsuit against the government. He now runs his own business but has to be vigilant at all times. In a documentary, Angels tell of how they were never fooled by him and his officers, but you must think that rival clubs must have laughed at the photo of Barger with other bikers. All were undercover cops! Jay Dobyns, in an email response to a question of mine, said that it amused him as to how they were never fooled, LONG AFTER the event. Of course they cannot say that yes, we were taken in, can they?
Jay Anthony Dobyns was born on 24th July 1961, in Hammond, Indiana, and grew up in Tucson, Arizona. He attended Sahuaro High School and then University of Arizona where he became a football star, and excelled in numerous sports. He graduated in 1985 with a BS in Public Administration, and then played in the Canadian Football League and then in the US Football League. He decided to go for Law Enforcement and managed to gain entry to the prestigious ATF. Just after graduating from the Academy, he had to serve a warrant on a criminal who had just been released from prison, but the felon was armed and forced Dobyns into the drivers seat, screaming at him to drive. Officers surrounded the car with guns drawn. Dobyns pulled the key from the ignition and dropped it, so the felon shot him in the back with the bullet exiting from his chest area. The officers shot the gunman dead, then the stricken Dobyns was rushed to hospital, where a skilled surgeon saved his life.
Dobyns refused to accept a disability payoff and gradually worked his way back into the front line. He then took part in dozens and dozens of undercover operations, some of them very dangerous and high profile. He was undercover in Los Angeles during the rioting following the infamous Rodney King assault by LAPD officers, he was at Waco, Columbine and the Oklahoma bombing. His dedication to duty led to him receiving many awards for valor, bravery and excellence. His biggest job was soon to come.
In 2002, a deadly brawl broke out in a casino in Laughlin, Nevada, between the Hells Angels and their deadly rivals, the Mongols. Three were left dead, and many injured, so a decision was made to make a move on the Hells Angels. He then became "Jaybird" and for two years, he slowly made inroads with the Skull Valley chapter of the Angels, eventually saying he was "patched in" as a full patch member, something Sonny Barger and the Skull Valley chapter deny. Numerous arrests followed, including the killers of Cynthia Garcia, a woman whom had been persuaded to go to a "party" at an Angels clubhouse. Dobyns staged a "murder" of a Mongol, in reality a cop in "colours" of the Mongols, and had photos of the body presented to the Angels. However, internal disputes within the ATF resulted in a number of defendants facing severely reduced and even dismissed, charges. Now Dobyns had to receive protection as he and his family received death threats from organisations he had worked against.
Soon, all protection had been removed and in 2008, his house burned down with his family barely escaping. Dobyns fought to have his protection re-instated but his former bosses refused to budge. Dobyns decided to become a federal whistleblower and told of the total lack of protection and help the government agencies refused to give undercover operatives, and launched a lawsuit against the government. He now runs his own business but has to be vigilant at all times. In a documentary, Angels tell of how they were never fooled by him and his officers, but you must think that rival clubs must have laughed at the photo of Barger with other bikers. All were undercover cops! Jay Dobyns, in an email response to a question of mine, said that it amused him as to how they were never fooled, LONG AFTER the event. Of course they cannot say that yes, we were taken in, can they?
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Robert Hansen - Serial Killer
Robert Christian Hansen operated as a serial killer in Alaska for twelve years before a 17 year old prostitute named Cindy Paulson was found running near naked down a road, handcuffed, and helped by a truck driver. Police questioned her alleged kidnapper, local baker Robert Hansen, but Police met a mild and very well liked local man and dismissed Paulson`s claims. But she was to re-emerge and help convict him.
Hansen was born on 15th February 1939 in Esherville, Iowa, but had difficulties with domineering father. He was quiet, a loner who was bullied at school due to his severe stutter. As he got older, Hansen excelled at hunting, and this became his favourite past-time. 1957 saw him join the U.S.Army Reserve, in which he served for one year before being discharged. He then became an assistant drill instructor at a Police Academy in Pocahontas, Iowa. It was during this period that he met a younger woman and they married in 1960. But Hansen was convicted in December 1963 for an arson attack on a bus garage and served just over half of a 3 year sentence. His wife divorced him whilst he was incarcerated in Anamosa State Penitentiary, but he remarried after release and in 1967 he moved to Anchorage, where he had two children and set up a business as a baker. His hunting prowess made him a local star. He was jailed again in 1977 for theft where he was diagnosed as bi-polar.
June 13th 1977, Cindy Paulson was found running scared by a truck driver, and initially dismissed by Police. She said that Hansen paid her $200 for oral sex, held at gunpoint, taken to a place owned by Hansen where she was raped & tortured. He then intended to fly her out to a place he had in the wilderness, in his Piper Super Cub. Whilst he was preparing his plane, that was when Cindy took her chance, and despite a short chase, she came upon the truck driver. Hansen was a mild and likeable man and so Police did not continue and the case went cold.
Detective Glenn Flothe, an officer with Alaska State Troopers, was dealing with the discovery of three bodies in the Anchorage - Matanuska - Susitania Valley. The first was found on the Eklutna Road so she was named "Annie" but her true identity was never established. Then, later on that same year, the body of Joanna Messina was found. The following year, the remains of Sherry Morrow were found. Glenn Flothe decided to seek help from the FBI and a top profiler gave them a profile that included the fact that he may have a speech impediment or disability. Hansen was found to fit the profile perfectly. October 27th 1983, Police searched Hansen`s properties and found articles belonging to some of the victims. Hansen eventually confessed to all the crimes he had committed, more than 30 assaults, rapes and murders, starting in 1971. Police had found a map of the wilderness with crosses marked on them. Many later were found to be grave sites. His death toll is thought to be between 17 & 21 though Hansen denied some murders. He is eventually charged with four murders, the kidnap and rape of Cindy Paulson and sentenced to 461 years and is currently in Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, Alaska.
How Hansen killed his victims was by hunting them, ala "The Most Dangerous Game". He brought them to the wilderness, released them, then stalked them and shot them dead. One detractor said "How does a crime scene reveal a man with a stutter?" Well, the profiler did not specify he had a stutter but possibly, or some other disability. Why? Common sense says that he is displaying total power & control over his victims, something a man with a vocal disability would have difficulty accomplishing because he would have difficulty expressing threatening words. BUT ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS! The early victims of Hansen were girls in their late teens but later became prostitutes and strippers and topless dancers.
Hansen was born on 15th February 1939 in Esherville, Iowa, but had difficulties with domineering father. He was quiet, a loner who was bullied at school due to his severe stutter. As he got older, Hansen excelled at hunting, and this became his favourite past-time. 1957 saw him join the U.S.Army Reserve, in which he served for one year before being discharged. He then became an assistant drill instructor at a Police Academy in Pocahontas, Iowa. It was during this period that he met a younger woman and they married in 1960. But Hansen was convicted in December 1963 for an arson attack on a bus garage and served just over half of a 3 year sentence. His wife divorced him whilst he was incarcerated in Anamosa State Penitentiary, but he remarried after release and in 1967 he moved to Anchorage, where he had two children and set up a business as a baker. His hunting prowess made him a local star. He was jailed again in 1977 for theft where he was diagnosed as bi-polar.
June 13th 1977, Cindy Paulson was found running scared by a truck driver, and initially dismissed by Police. She said that Hansen paid her $200 for oral sex, held at gunpoint, taken to a place owned by Hansen where she was raped & tortured. He then intended to fly her out to a place he had in the wilderness, in his Piper Super Cub. Whilst he was preparing his plane, that was when Cindy took her chance, and despite a short chase, she came upon the truck driver. Hansen was a mild and likeable man and so Police did not continue and the case went cold.
Detective Glenn Flothe, an officer with Alaska State Troopers, was dealing with the discovery of three bodies in the Anchorage - Matanuska - Susitania Valley. The first was found on the Eklutna Road so she was named "Annie" but her true identity was never established. Then, later on that same year, the body of Joanna Messina was found. The following year, the remains of Sherry Morrow were found. Glenn Flothe decided to seek help from the FBI and a top profiler gave them a profile that included the fact that he may have a speech impediment or disability. Hansen was found to fit the profile perfectly. October 27th 1983, Police searched Hansen`s properties and found articles belonging to some of the victims. Hansen eventually confessed to all the crimes he had committed, more than 30 assaults, rapes and murders, starting in 1971. Police had found a map of the wilderness with crosses marked on them. Many later were found to be grave sites. His death toll is thought to be between 17 & 21 though Hansen denied some murders. He is eventually charged with four murders, the kidnap and rape of Cindy Paulson and sentenced to 461 years and is currently in Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, Alaska.
How Hansen killed his victims was by hunting them, ala "The Most Dangerous Game". He brought them to the wilderness, released them, then stalked them and shot them dead. One detractor said "How does a crime scene reveal a man with a stutter?" Well, the profiler did not specify he had a stutter but possibly, or some other disability. Why? Common sense says that he is displaying total power & control over his victims, something a man with a vocal disability would have difficulty accomplishing because he would have difficulty expressing threatening words. BUT ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS! The early victims of Hansen were girls in their late teens but later became prostitutes and strippers and topless dancers.
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