Cold Case Update: Eklutna Annie

A facial reconstruction of Eklutna Annie. Click to enlarge.

Construction workers digging near Eklutna Road outside Eklutna, Alaska, discovered the partial remains of a young woman in a shallow grave on July 21, 1980. Animals had dragged off the larger part of the remains and, other than her clothing and jewelry, investigators found very few clues as to her identity.

Police in Anchorage and Alaska State Troopers were jointly investigating the possibility of a serial killer operating in the area at the time that Eklutna Annie, as the unidentified woman has come to be called, was found. They have concluded that she is likely a victim of notorious Alaskan serial killer Robert Hansen, who preyed on prostitutes, flying them in his small plane to a remote Alaskan cabin, releasing them and hunting them down like animals. Hansen was caught, tried and is currently incarcerated, serving out several life sentences.

According to information on The Doe Network, Hansen confessed to having made her his first victim, killing her when she tried to escape. He told investigators that she was a topless dancer or a prostitute, but that he did not know her name. She could be from Kodiak, but she could also have come from Washington or California.

More than 30 years later, Eklutna Annie’s real name is still a mystery. A new film, The Frozen Ground, scheduled for release in 2013 on Robert Hansen has generated interest in the case, and brought about renewed efforts to identify this victim. Interested crime buffs have set up both Facebook and Twitter accounts about Annie.

She is described as late teens to early 20s, possibly white with American Indian/Native mix, 4-feet-11-inches to 5-feet-3-inches tall, with light brown to reddish-blond hair worn long (to the middle of her back). She was wearing jeans, high-heeled vinyl boots, a sleeveless knit top and a brown leather jacket.

Anyone with information as to the identity of the victim or knowledge of the jewelry or its maker is asked to contact: Alaska State Troopers Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 907-269-5497 or 907-269-5058; or the Anchorage Police Department, regarding Agency Case Number: 96-51484; NCIC Number: U150004982. Information may be submitted anonymously.

Eklutna Annie's jewelry