Justice for Rachel Hansen: A Young Woman’s Legacy and the Search for Truth
Rachel Hansen’s early years were shaped by challenging circumstances. Born into a family unable to provide care, she entered the foster system at just five years old. Yet, her story was far from defined by hardship alone. At age six, Rachel was adopted into a large and nurturing family that would become her permanent home. The significance of that day—June 14, 2004—was so profound she later had it tattooed in Roman numerals on her arm, a lasting symbol of her new beginning. In a move that reflected both personal agency and a desire for connection, Rachel chose her own name, selecting one rooted in biblical tradition to align with her adopted siblings and the family’s shared faith.
Raised among thirteen siblings—most of whom were also adopted—Rachel grew up immersed in a unique family dynamic defined by resilience and deep connection. This blended household, forged through love and second chances, played a crucial role in shaping the fiercely loyal and compassionate woman she became.
Her bond with horses took root in early childhood and evolved into a defining aspect of her life. From the age of six, she was drawn to the horses grazing near her home, often climbing fences to mount the animals she admired. By fourteen, she had advanced beyond riding, taking on the role of instructor and passing her knowledge and passion to younger riders.
Her bond with horses took root in early childhood and evolved into a defining aspect of her life. From the age of six, she was drawn to the horses grazing near her home, often climbing fences to mount the animals she admired. By fourteen, she had advanced beyond riding, taking on the role of instructor and passing her knowledge and passion to younger riders.
Her athleticism and tenacity defined much of her youth. A multi-sport athlete, she competed in soccer throughout high school, wrestled, and notably broke gender barriers as the only girl on her eighth-grade football team. Demonstrating exceptional determination, she graduated a full year early at age 16. Soon after, she founded AzHansenHorses, a business specializing in training, riding, transporting, and brokering horses. Rachel skillfully leveraged social media platforms to expand her clientele and advocate for horse welfare, frequently rescuing abused animals. Her dedication and integrity earned her a respected reputation within the regional equestrian community, where she was recognized not only for her expertise but also for her genuine compassion.
But Rachel’s compassion extended beyond animals. Deeply empathetic, she regularly collected food, clothing, and other necessities for people experiencing hardship, giving freely and often, without hesitation.
In the months leading up to her death, Rachel had begun laying the foundation for a new professional chapter. She had recently earned her real estate license, with ambitions of combining her deep-rooted expertise in the equestrian world with the housing market. Her goal was to specialize in horse properties.
Outside of her career, Rachel’s personal life was equally full of promise. She was engaged to be married, and she and her fiancé had begun planning a life together. They had taken their engagement photos on the Canyon Lake Bridge, one of Rachel’s favorite places. It was a place where she came alive while tubing, cliff jumping, skiing, and diving off the boat with uncontainable joy. Her family had planned to return there for her 20th birthday on June 12, 2022, unaware that Rachel would never make it to that celebration.
In the days before her death, unsettling events unfolded that would later become crucial to the investigation. According to a heavily redacted 350-page police report released by Gilbert authorities, Rachel had recently moved back into her apartment on June 1, 2022, after a period of subleasing. The very next day, she confided in her fiancé that someone had entered her bedroom in the early morning hours, opening the door and leaving before she could react. Later, Rachel discovered a jar of pickles on her kitchen counter—an item she had not purchased. Tragically, just two days after this incident, Rachel’s life was violently cut short.
On June 4, 2022, Rachel made a harrowing call to the Gilbert Police Department after being critically wounded. “I’ve been shot,” she told the dispatcher, her voice strained and filled with fear. “Someone broke in and shot me.”
“Please hurry,” she implored, her words marked by panic and pain. “I’m bleeding. I’m bleeding.”
The transcript of that final call reveals the dispatcher’s efforts to keep Rachel conscious and calm. “Do you have any kind of clean cloth there that you can apply pressure to it? Is there anybody there with you?” the dispatcher asked. “Are you close to any kind of cloth or a shirt or a towel that you can use?”
“No,” Rachel replied weakly.
“There’s nothing near you? Rachel, I need you to talk to me, OK?” the operator urged.
“I can’t,” she whispered, her strength fading.
Emergency responders initially faced challenges locating Rachel Hansen’s precise whereabouts, but they arrived on scene within five minutes. She was immediately transported to a nearby hospital and underwent surgery, where medical staff worked tirelessly for hours to save her. Despite their efforts, the injuries proved fatal. Rachel’s passing left her family devastated and sent shockwaves through the community mourning the loss of a promising young life.
To this day, Rachel’s killer remains unidentified, and no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing, but justice—and the closure her family longs for—remains elusive. Her father, Todd Hansen, recalls the devastating moment he received the news that forever altered his life. Sharing the news with Rachel’s mother, Kim, who was out of town at the time, was an equally painful ordeal.
In the year following Rachel’s death, her fiancé paid tribute to her memory through a quiet and deeply personal ritual. Each week, he returned to the Canyon Lake Bridge—and tied a dozen roses in her honor. Eventually, he entrusted Rachel’s engagement ring to her parents.
Amid their profound grief, Rachel’s family sought to preserve her spirit through meaningful action. In 2023, her mother, Kim Hansen, established Rachel’s Rescue, a nonprofit organization inspired by Rachel’s longtime dream of founding an animal rescue. This vision had taken root during the COVID-19 lockdown, when the family began fostering dogs. Rachel’s compassion was always active, always expanding. Her vision for helping the vulnerable didn’t end with horses or people—it included every creature who needed a second chance.
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