Crime Junkie: MURDERED: Rachel Hansen

Host: Ashley Flowers, with Britt
Episode Date: February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of Crime Junkie, Ashley Flowers and Britt unpack the still-unsolved 2022 murder of 19-year-old Rachel Hansen in Gilbert, Arizona. They review the scant evidence from police reports, interview Rachel's family and key witnesses, and examine three leading theories behind her death. The episode places heavy emphasis on investigative roadblocks, the heartbreak of Rachel’s family, and the unanswered questions that continue to haunt this confounding case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Crime

• The Break-in and Murder

  • June 2, 2022: Rachel wakes to find an unknown figure silently standing over her bed before fleeing the apartment.
  • June 3, 2022 (a day later): A similar intruder returns, enters Rachel’s room around 2 a.m., shoots her in the abdomen, and escapes.
  • Despite sustaining gunshot wounds, Rachel manages to call 911 and is rushed to surgery, but she dies several hours later.

• Family Notification Breakdown

  • Rachel's family are not notified by police until 7 a.m.—after her death—leaving them devastated that she was alone in her final hours.
  • “No one called them when Rachel was found or when she was in surgery at the hospital, which still still bothers Kim to this day, knowing that her daughter was there all alone.” (Ashley Flowers, 04:25)

2. The Crime Scene

• Very little evidence: bare-bones apartment, notable only for strong marijuana odor and blood stains.
• No sign of forced entry to the main door; Rachel’s bedroom door is found badly kicked in.
• Neighbors report loud activity and drug-related suspicions in months prior, yet heard nothing on the night of the murder (even those awake at the time) (05:10–06:55).
  • “Even with the door kicked in, apparently the neighbors still heard nothing. Like, I personally spoke to the neighbor who lived right across from Rachel, and they said that they weren't even sleeping when this happened...” (Ashley Flowers, 05:25)

3. Initial Theories and Investigation Frustrations

Subletting Complications

• Rachel had been away for six months, subletting her apartment “off-book” to a woman named America, whose activities allegedly included drug sales.
• Rachel returned June 1, shocked by the apartment’s condition.
• First night: Rachel stays elsewhere; second night (June 2), the “intruder” incident occurs.

Key Evidence Gaps

• Security Cameras:
  • The apartment complex’s cameras were non-functional; a neighbor’s Ring footage is heavily redacted in police files.
  • The one unredacted snippet only confirms Rachel and a “long-haired man” (her fiance Jomette Bailey) were seen hours before the murder (07:19–08:54).
• Physical Evidence:
  • A partial shoe print on Rachel’s kicked-in door is left behind with no clear signs police processed it for leads.
  • A mysterious jar of pickles is left in the apartment by the first intruder and later ignored during evidence collection.

Fiance and Family Dynamics

• Jomette Bailey’s Alibi:
  • Cleared by police; family believes his innocence.
  • Jomette was last with Rachel until around midnight; left after repeatedly urging Rachel to lock the new deadbolt.

Major Theories Explored

A. Subletter Theory (21:07)

• The murder intended for “America,” the subletter associated with drug activity, not Rachel.
• Rachel was mistaken for America upon the shooter's return, or both incidents involved people actually targeting America.

“Whoever shot her was actually targeting America and didn't know that she had moved out two days prior.”
– Ashley Flowers (21:07)

• Police reportedly questioned associates but didn’t pursue any further; “America” remains unconnected and difficult to trace.

B. Horse Ranch Theory (23:23)

• Focuses on Rachel’s fraught termination from her job at a horse ranch following a series of escalating disputes.
• Community suspicion fell heavily on ranch owners Liz Robinson and Amanda Krugin, but both reportedly had alibis and were cleared by police.

“It is far-fetched in my mind ... Liz and Amanda's attorney said both spoke to investigators within the first few days of the murder and they were cleared based on alibis.”
– Ashley Flowers (32:31)

C. “Scary Gary” (Gary Bailey) Theory (34:02)

• Jomette’s father, described as possessive, controlling, and erratic, is introduced as a potential suspect due to a history of threats and strange behavior.
• Gary threatened Rachel directly, reportedly texting “if I ever see you in my house again, I will shoot you in the head.” (41:10)
• On the night of the killing, Gary called Jomette home “because the Holy Spirit told me so, and it saved his life.” (43:54)
• Despite being listed in police timelines and family raising concerns, police never questioned Gary as a suspect.
• Gary is rumored to have mentioned knowledge of hiring hitmen and committed verbal threats, yet maintains an alibi through his daughter (though not entirely solid).

“They both told us that he would go around basically telling people that if you ever want to, like, off someone, the best thing to do would be to hire someone who is really hard to track. And, like, the case would just be impossible to solve.”
– Ashley Flowers (46:10)

Notable Evidence Oddities

• The Pickle Jar

  • Left conspicuously in the near-empty apartment after the first break-in.
  • Despite being flagged by Rachel and her mother as important, police failed to collect or even acknowledge it.
  • A faint comment on police body cam is the only official mention: "no pickles." (50:25)

  “There was nothing else in the apartment. It was literally just her bed and pickles.”
  – Britt (49:12)

• Kicked-in Door & Shoe Print

  • Clear partial shoe print left on Rachel’s bedroom door, not analyzed or taken as evidence.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Police Inaction

  • “This started to make us feel like maybe we were losing our minds ... Why would you not take the one thing that might be evidence in an apartment where you have barely anything to work with?”
    – Ashley Flowers (49:37)

• Community Frustration

  • “If you have nothing to hide, why not clear your name?”
    – Britt (45:54)

• Haunting Final Appeal

  • “If this case is going to be solved, it's because someone courageous is going to come forward with information. Which is why Kim wanted us to share Rachel's story with crime junkies.”
    – Ashley Flowers (52:30)

Timestamps for Critical Segments

| Segment Description | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Case introduction & break-in sequence | 00:00–05:09 | | Scene investigation and neighbor oddities | 05:10–07:19 | | Subletting revelation and introduction of “America” | 08:54–10:05 | | Rachel’s timeline after returning to apartment | 13:21–16:59 | | Subletter theory and police investigation gaps | 19:51–23:23 | | Horse ranch background and theory | 24:40–34:02 | | “Scary Gary” theory and Bailey family turmoil | 34:02–46:46 | | Pickle jar evidence controversy | 47:38–50:47 | | Family's final appeal and reward info | 52:30–53:16 |

Closing & Call to Action

• The case remains unsolved. Police have declared the case inactive, and Rachel's family works with a pro bono PI.
• Kim Hansen created a dog rescue, “Rachel’s Rescue,” to keep her daughter's memory alive.
• Ashley pleads for anyone with information to contact the Gilbert Police Department or Silent Witness—reward stands at $20,000 (52:30).

Overall Tone & Takeaways

Ashley and Britt’s tone is empathetic, tenacious, and often incredulous at investigative lapses, with moments of frustration and heartache mirrored by Rachel’s family and friends. The hosts maintain their signature balance of meticulous sleuthing, personal storytelling, and passionate advocacy for victims. The episode urges listeners to help break the impasse in Rachel’s case and keep her story alive.

If you have even the smallest bit of information that could help move Rachel's case in the right direction:

• Contact Gilbert Police Department: 480-503-6500
• Remain anonymous via Silent Witness: 480-948-6377
• Reach out to PI Justin Yentes: 602-252-2474

For more, visit crimejunkie.com