As the two-year anniversary of Rachel Hansen's unsolved murder approaches, the 19-year-old's family in Gilbert continues to seek answers from a community still reeling from the shocking crime. Hansen was killed nearly two years ago after being shot by an intruder in her apartment—a case that remains particularly unsettling for a town unaccustomed to such acts of violence.
A statement obtained by ABC15 from the grieving mother, Kim Hansen, expressed a relentless hope for closure: "It's just as if it just happened as if it was yesterday," Kim Hansen said. Despair grips the family as June 4, 2022, feels like a wound that time has refused to heal. Her parents carry the burden of not only their daughter's death but also the unknowable circumstances surrounding it. Todd Hansen, Rachel's father, told ABC15, "Maybe some closure with how or why she died might help us."
According to a report by ABC15, the Gilbert Police Department holds the case in high regard, yet no arrests have been made, despite their assertion that it remains of "utmost importance." The family, clearly disillusioned with the lack of progress, has criticized the police's communication and follow-through, urging the department to hold a press conference next month to generate new leads and renewed interest.
In her quest for justice, Kim Hansen turned to social media, advocating for her daughter's story in the "Go Gilbert" Facebook group. She implored anyone with any information to come forward to authorities. "Somebody absolutely knows something," Kim Hansen remarked during an interview with ABC15. Silent Witness has even put forth a $7,000 reward for tips that could lead to an arrest, as stated in a piece by 12News.
While the Gilbert Police continue to assert that all leads are being pursued, the gulf between assurance and resolution remains vast. The Hansen family holds onto hope, simultaneously honoring Rachel through a dog rescue run in her memory, as reported by ABC15. As the calendar turns to mark another year without Rachel and without answers, the community and her family stand together in their quest for truth, and above all, justice for a young life cut tragically short.
