After 44 years of unresolved grief, justice has been served in Kansas’ oldest cold case, with Steven L. Hanks sentenced for the 1980 murder in Great Bend.
At a Glance
- More than 44 years after the crime, Steven L. Hanks has been sentenced to 10 to 25 years.
- The case was reopened in 2022 using new technology and techniques.
- Hanks, a former neighbor, was an early suspect and confessed in new interviews.
- This case is the oldest cold case in Kansas to result in a conviction.
- Mary Robin Walter was a wife, mother, and nursing student when she was murdered.
Kansas’ Oldest Cold Case Finally Solved
After more than four decades, Steven L. Hanks has been brought to justice for the 1980 murder of his neighbor, Mary Robin Walter, in Great Bend, Kansas. Hanks, now 70, was sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison following a plea agreement. The murder of Walter, a mother and nursing student, occurred in her trailer home, with the case remaining cold until 2022.
The case went cold two years after the crime due to a lack of evidence. However, advancements in technology and dedicated detective work allowed the case to be reopened in 2022. Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir and his team played a crucial role in revisiting the case. Hundreds of documents were re-examined, leading to Hanks’ confession and subsequent arrest in December 2022.
The murder weapon, a .22-caliber handgun, was found at the scene. Hanks, who was 25 at the time, was initially a suspect but no conclusive evidence was found. Hanks had previously spent 10 years in prison for other crimes, including rape, battery, robbery, and burglary. Despite the lack of DNA evidence, new investigative techniques and Hanks’ own admissions during re-interviews led to his conviction.
Kansas cold case ends 44 years later as man is sentenced for killing his former neighbor in 1980 https://t.co/rhyxSh1GY2
— KX News (@KXMB) September 14, 2024
Justice After Decades
Walter’s family and loved ones have waited more than 44 years for this moment. District Court Judge Steve Johnson, who sentenced Hanks, acknowledged the closure this brings to the family. Walter’s murder deeply affected the Great Bend community, and this conviction underscores the commitment of law enforcement in solving cold cases.
“Robin’s killer was finally brought to justice because of their dedication and commitment to this cold case,” Associate Deputy Attorney General Jessica Domme said in the statement.
The case’s closure serves as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement officers, who worked tirelessly to solve this case despite the passage of time. The reopening of the case in 2022, proposed by Detective Sgt. Adam Hales, was a pivotal moment that eventually led to Hanks’ arrest and conviction in 2024.
https://twitter.com/kansasdotcom%3Flang%3Den
Community Impact and Reflection
The resolution of this case brings relief and reflection to the Great Bend community. Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir expressed both personal and professional satisfaction in closing the case, acknowledging the long-term impact on the community and those directly involved.
“It bothers me that many of the people who were so affected by this tragic crime have since passed away prior to bringing the suspect to justice,” Bellendir said.
With Hanks now serving his sentence, it’s a strong reminder of the lasting commitment of law enforcement to seek justice, regardless of the time it takes. The perseverance shown in resolving Kansas’ oldest cold case is an inspiration and testament to the efficacy of modern investigative techniques combined with unwavering dedication.
