Free Hunted on Ice: The Search for Alaskan Serial Killer Robert Hansen by Reagan Martin

Prologue
     
    In 1867, when the United States purchased the territory of Alaska from the Russians at a cost of .02 cents an acre totaling 7.2 million dollars, many people wondered why they would even want it.
    Despite the fact that it is the largest state in America, measuring twice the size of Texas, most people picture Alaska as little more than a vast and frozen wilderness. A desolate wasteland teeming with an array of wild animals such as grizzly bears, wolves, coyotes and moose. At the time of its acquisition, most Americans viewed it as a major waste of money.
    Of course, that was before the discovery of oil. Throughout history, many people knew the state was loaded with oil. So much oil, in fact, that in some places it seeped above the ground and pooled on the surface.
    In the late 1800’s, minor exploration was being done, but no huge finds were discovered. It wasn’t until after 1958, when Alaska gained statehood, that huge oil and gas reserves were discovered there in astounding abundance. But at the time there was little need for the precious fossil fuel, and no way to transport it from Alaska to the lower 48 states.
    But in 1973, when the price of oil skyrocketed and the United States was plunged into what became known as the ‘oil crisis’, drilling in Alaska finally became economically feasible. Almost immediately, construction was begun on an 800-mile pipeline to be used for transporting oil from the northern part of the state to Valdez, Alaska.
    Such a major construction project required massive amounts of workers, and all types of people began to flood into the state. Not just pipeline workers, but literally anyone who believed they might make a quick buck off this new industry themselves.
    Some were legitimate business people, opening hotels and motels, restaurants, stores, and clubs; establishments needed to cater to the growing demand. But along with these honest folks, Alaska had its fair share of shady characters arriving as well. Everyone from prostitutes and pimps, to con men and thieves poured into the state, hoping to make some quick and lucrative cash.
     Most of them were transient types, making their riches quickly, and then disappearing as fast as they had come. They had no ties to the area, no family, no friends, no one to wonder and worry about where they might be. It was not unusual for them to be here one day, and gone the next.
    It was for just this reason that no one gave it a second thought when young prostitutes, and topless dancers, began vanishing around the city in the late 1970’s and early 80’s. Most people, including law enforcement, just assumed they had moved on to more lucrative endeavors.

Chapter One
     
     
    Megan Emerick was a pretty 17-year-old girl, with chestnut brown hair, hazel eyes, and a spray of freckles across her cheeks. In the summer of 1973, Megan wasn’t a prostitute or a topless dancer, but only a student at the Seward Skill Center in Seward, Alaska. She had grown up in the town, which was situated in the southern part of the state on the Kenai Peninsula.
    On July 7 th Megan visited the school’s laundry room to wash some clothes, and spoke to several other students who were there. After a while she bid them farewell and left the building. It was the last time anyone would see Megan again.
    Megan’s roommate was not initially concerned when she didn’t come home that night, but as the days progressed and she realized Megan had left all of her possessions, including her identification, behind, she finally contacted the police.
    Although an investigation was begun, there was no sign of Megan, and no indication of foul play. The teen was simply gone, and police had no clues as to what had happened to her.
    Almost exactly two years later, on July 5, 1975, 22-year-old Mary Thill disappeared as well. Mary’s husband was away, working on the pipeline, while Mary remained in Seward living on Lower Point Road. She was last seen near the waterfall in town