Friday, May 27, 2016
Eklutna Annie and "Horeshoe Harriet"
Eklutna Annie is the informal name given to an unidentified murder victim discovered in 1980 in Eklutna, Anchorage, Alaska. An autopsy report concluded that she had been killed by a stab wound to the back. She was murdered by Robert Hansen, a serial killer who was responsible for murdering as many as 20 other women. Later in the year, the remains of topless dancer Joanne Messina were found in the same area. "Horseshoe Harriet", another unidentified woman, is believed to have also been one of Hansen's victims.
Discovery and examination: Eklutna Annie's skeleton was discovered along a series of power lines on July 21, 1980. She wore several articles of clothing, including a knitted sleeveless shirt, a leather coat containing matches in a pocket, and knee-high boots. The victim was also wearing several pieces of jewelry:
-an apparently handmade metal bracelet containing three turquoise stones
-a copper necklace containing shell beads
-a pendant heart
-a metal wristwatch consisting of circular links with a brown watch face
-a ring carved from shell
-metal earrings
She was probably white but may have had some Native American heritage. Her hair color ranged from light brown to strawberry-blond.
Investigation: Robert Hansen, a serial killer who resided in the area, admitted in 1984 that he was responsible for the victim's death. He claimed that she was a dancer from a local bar or a prostitute, and that she was his first murder victim. Hansen admitted that he had stabbed her as she attempted to escape from his vehicle, when he tried to transport her to his residence. Hansen said he believed she was from Kodiak, Alaska. She is still unidentified, despite the fact that her face has been reconstructed in both 3-D and 2-D. Several missing women are believed to have also been murdered by Hansen. Karen Evan, Megan Emerick, and Teresa Davis have been ruled out as possible identities of Eklutna Annie. Hansen was sentenced to 461 years in prison without the possibility of parole for her murder and three others. He died in prison in August 2014.
Aftermath: The remains of Eklutna Annie are interred at the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery under a marker reading "Jane Doe / Died 1980". The Frozen Ground, starring Nicolas Cage and John Cusack, was dedicated to Hansen's victims.
The remains of a woman were found on April 25, 1984, near Horseshoe Lake in Palmer, Alaska. She had been stabbed and shot. Like Eklutna Annie, she is believed to have been a victim of serial killer Robert Hansen, who led police to her body. Horseshoe Harriet was between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall. She was most likely between the ages of 19 and 20 when she was murdered.[ Along with her remains were found a scarf, coat, brassiere, tennis shoes, a sweater, jeans, socks, and leg warmers. Other items found were cigarettes, a comb, a compact, and condoms. Her remains were exhumed in 2014 for additional forensic examination.
Labels:
criminal justice
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment