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Ellen Marie Hansen

Case from Santa-cruz, CA dated Mar 29, 1981

Victim Details

Ellen Marie Hansen

Female

White / Caucasian

Santa-cruz

CA

1981-03-29

20

Ellen

Marie Hansen

07/03/2026

Case Description

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Ellen Marie Hansen, a 20-year-old student at the University of California, Davis, tragically lost her life on March 29, 1981, while hiking with her boyfriend, Steven Russell Haertle, in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Felton, Santa Cruz County, California. The couple was ambushed by David Carpenter, infamously known as the Trailside Killer. Carpenter attempted to assault Hansen, and when she resisted, he shot her to death. Haertle was also shot but survived the attack and later provided cr ...
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Links to Additional Sources (7)

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  • Criminal Minds Wiki: David Carpenter
  • David Carpenter - Wikipedia
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    Forum Posts (3)

    I've been delving into the tragic case of Ellen Marie Hansen, and something that's just been gnawing... ...Read More
    12/31/2023
    I recently dug into the tragic case of Ellen Marie Hansen, and I can't stop thinking about the immen... ...Read More
    12/23/2023
    I can't stop thinking about the courage and bravery shown by Steven Russell Haertle during such a tr... ...Read More
    07/19/2023
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