Gilbert family remembering teen killed two years ago as no arrests have been made
“Still no answers,” her mom says
GILBERT (AZFamily) — It’s been two years since 19-year-old Rachel Hansen was shot and killed in her Gilbert apartment.
“Nothing’s changed,” said Kim Hansen, Rachel’s mother. “Still no answers. No explanation. Not even any leads or suspects.”
Gilbert Police said Rachel was sleeping in her apartment near San Tan Village Parkway and Ray Road on June 4, 2022, when she was shot around 2 a.m.
“She, being Rachel and the little spitfire she was, jumped out of bed and grabbed her cellphone and called 911 herself and said, ‘I’ve been shot by somebody I don’t know,’” said Kim. “It was not random. I just know in my heart it was not random.”
Kim said she believes either her daughter was being targeted, or a person who used to live in the apartment.
Rachel was rushed to the hospital, where she went into surgery for hours, but later died.
Her father said officers knocked on his door and told him Rachel had died.
“That was hard. That was hard,” said Todd.
He said it was even harder finding a way to tell Kim, who was out of town.
Rachel had gotten engaged just months before.
“She was so excited. They were both so excited. Young love, and they were just starting their lives,” said Kim.
Todd and Kim said Rachel’s fiancé would go to the Canyon Lake Bridge every week and tie a dozen roses to it for an entire year following her death.
It’s the location where they took their engagement pictures.
On Tuesday, Rachel’s fiancé dropped off a dozen roses and Rachel’s engagement ring at her parents’ house. Their wedding was planned for this October.
“After we lost her, he actually had it sized up to fix his finger and he wore it,” said Kim.
Rachel’s family is carrying on her memory through Rachel’s Rescue, a nonprofit that’s saved more than 200 dogs in her honor.
“A previous adopter made a comment saying Rachel’s heart and soul goes with every one of those puppies,” said Kim.
As they continue to keep her memory alive, they won’t stop fighting for justice.
“Simple as that, why? That’s what I want to know, why?” said Todd.
If they get that answer, they hope it will help get them closure.
”It’s hard to move on without that, with no understanding,” said Kim.
Gilbert Police sent over this statement:
“Sadly at this point in time, we don’t have a lot of confidence in the investigation that has been done,” said Kim.
The Hansen family has set up a GoFundMe page so they can hire a private investigator.
Our True Crime Arizona team recently released a podcast episode titled “Who Killed Teen Horse Trainer Rachel Hansen?” It provides an in-depth look at the case.
You can listen to it now wherever you get your favorite podcasts, or click here.
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