Like other serial killers, Hansen kept mementoes of his kills; it was a way for him to revisit and re-live his savage butchery in the privacy of his own home. That wasn’t the only thing he hid; as a convicted felon, he was banned from owning guns. For investigators, his hidden cache in the attic was a treasure trove, as this excerpt from Butcher, Baker illustrates:
“In the corner was a Remington 552 rifle, .22 caliber. A Thompson Contender 7mm single shot pistol. An aviation map, with marks on it. Some jewelry, including a gold arrowhead necklace. A few newspaper clippings. A Winchester 12-gauge shotgun. And, best of all, a .223 caliber Mini-14: the murder weapon.”
Excerpt From: Walter Gilmour & Leland E. Hale. “Butcher, Baker.”
Hansen’s Weapon Cache (courtesy Alaska State Troopers; found in the attic of Hansen’s residence, note the handgun at center left, identified as a Thompson Contender)
Remington 552 (.22 caliber)
Thompson Center Arms Contender (7mm, single shot)
The Thompson Contender was the long-barrel gun that Cindy Paulson identified as the one Hansen used during her kidnapping. A weapon that delivers rifle-like accuracy and power in a handgun, it’s use in Cindy’s abduction had another purpose: it’s sheer size was intimidating.
Victim Mementoes from Hidden Cache (courtesy Alaska State Troopers; modeled by AST personnel)
The gold fish necklace (second from right) belonged to Hansen victim Andra Altiery. The single-pearl ring (far left) may also have belonged to Ms. Altiery. She is still listed as a “missing person.”
Winchester 1300 Shotgun (12 gauge)
Hansen’s .223 — His Preferred Murder Weapon (courtesy Alaska State Troopers)
See also: Frozen Ground, The (Internet Movie Firearms Database)