Rachel Hansen is well-known in the Gilbert community as a bona fide horse whisperer.
Rachel’s journey begins at an early age when she starts teaching younger children to ride horses and breaking yearlings. In addition to her equestrian skills, she excels in academics, stands out as the only girl on the football team, and shines as a star soccer player. Her remarkable achievements lead to her early graduation from high school at the young age of 16. Post-graduation, Rachel establishes a successful horse training business called AZ Hansen Horses, specializing in taming wild horses for clients and residing as a trainer on a ranch in Queen Creek.
However, challenges arise for Rachel while working on the ranch, as conflicts with the owner escalate. Disputes emerge concerning payment for a breeding arrangement regarding her mare, Dash, and an accident involving a horse trailer during transportation further strains the situation. The owner abruptly terminates Rachel’s services, refusing to compensate her for the final month of work. Consequently, Rachel moves out her belongings and plans to relocate to an apartment she had sublet to tenants starting the following week.
Upon moving some of her possessions into the new apartment, which is mostly unfurnished but functional for immediate accommodation, Rachel opts to spend the night there. During the night, she awakes to find an unidentified individual standing beside her. Startled, she raises an alarm, prompting the intruder to flee. Evidently, the intruder had access to a key for entry. Rachel’s fiancé arrives promptly and changes the locks, supplied by his father. Despite the suggestion to involve law enforcement, Rachel speculates that the intruder might have mistaken the tenancy status due to the recent move-out of the previous occupants.
Just after 2 a.m., Rachel Hansen calls 911 and says, “Someone broke in and shot me.” The dispatcher gets Rachel’s address and instructs her on how to stop the bleeding while police and paramedics are en route. Rachel says she doesn’t have any cloth or towel nearby to use.
The dispatcher notes Rachel is becoming less responsive and sounds close to passing out. The dispatcher also warns officers that the shooter has left the apartment but advises them to remain vigilant.
An officer finds Rachel crumpled on the bathroom floor with a gunshot wound to her chest. Another officer sweeps the apartment and discovers blood and a spent shell casing in Rachel’s bed. Officers note the apartment seems unusually empty, but there are no signs of a struggle, and Rachel’s jewelry and other valuables remain untouched. The case remains unsolved
Joining Nancy Grace today:
Additional Guests
Kim Hansen – Mother
Ashley Holden – Reporter ABC15 Phoenix, AZ; www.abc15.com; IG & FB: @ashleyvholdentv
“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” is also a national radio show heard on SiriusXM channel 111 airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.
[Feature Photo: Rachel Hansen/Handout]
