Gilbert, Arizona — Two years after the tragic killing of 19-year-old Rachel Hansen in her Gilbert apartment, critical details remain shrouded in secrecy and her family continues to seek justice. Despite Rachel’s dramatic 911 call where she reported an intruder shooting her, the case has grown cold with police expressing that it’s still active despite appearing inactive in records.
Rachel was shot inside her apartment near San Tan Village Parkway and Ray Road in June 2022. Responding officers, captured on bodycam footage which was largely redacted, entered the scene only minutes after the distressing call. What remains visible in the public footage is a chaotic outline of a crime scene left unresolved.
The Gilbert Police Department’s investigation has touched on various individuals including Rachel’s fiancé’s father who, according to the police documents, had previously threatened her. When questioned, Assistant Chief Jim Bisceglie did not fully confirm any specific investigations into the fiancé’s father, indicating only that all leads were being pursued with vigor.
Further compounding the frustration for Rachel’s family, around 300 pages of case files accessed show extensive redactions, obscuring potentially pivotal information. Bisceglie notes these redactions are to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation but confirms from the isolated fragments available to the public that people close to the case know crucial details of what happened.
Kim Hansen, Rachel’s mother, expressed her anguish over the lack of closure, stating how difficult it is to continue daily life with so many unanswered questions. The torment of not knowing who is responsible or why her daughter was targeted compounds their grief.
Adding another layer of anguish is the official status of the case. Public records label it as “inactive – suspended,” which misrepresents the ongoing efforts behind the scenes. Recent steps include submitting the case to Silent Witness in February 2024, hopeful that a $10,000 reward, bolstered by additional GoFundMe support, might draw out new information.
Officials and the Hansen family alike are rallying the community for assistance. Assistant Chief Bisceglie made a public appeal, urging anyone with information to come forward and help bring the needed closure to Rachel’s family.
In recent developments, sources close to the investigation reveal that new leads are indeed being explored, driven by the tips that trickle in through Silent Witness. Authorities remain committed to resolving the case, and with the community’s help, they hope to deliver justice for Rachel and peace for her loved ones.
To further engage the community in staying connected with ongoing developments, locals are encouraged to utilize the 12News+ app. This platform offers live and on-demand news coverage and features content ranging from daily broadcasts to deep dives into significant local stories, ensuring the community remains informed and engaged in the ongoing efforts to solve Rachel’s murder.