44-Year-Old Kansas Cold Case Solved: Ex-Neighbor Sentenced for 1980 Murder
A former neighbor has been sentenced for the 1980 murder of a nursing student in Great Bend, Kansas. The case, reopened in 2022, led to the conviction of Steven L. Hanks, now 70, for the death of Mary Robin Walter.
In a significant development for cold case investigations, a 44-year-old murder case in Great Bend, Kansas, has finally reached its conclusion. Steven L. Hanks, now 70, has been sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison for the 1980 killing of Mary Robin Walter, a 23-year-old nursing student.
The case, which had remained unsolved for over four decades, was reopened in 2022 when a detective convinced Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir to revisit the investigation using modern technology and techniques. This decision led to new evidence pointing to Hanks, who had been an early suspect in the case.
The murder took place on January 24, 1980, when Walter was found shot multiple times in her trailer home. A .22-caliber handgun, later confirmed as the murder weapon, was discovered at the scene. Despite initial investigations, the case went cold, with no active pursuit since at least 1982.
The breakthrough came when Sgt. Detective Adam Hales and Lt. David Paden re-interviewed Hanks, who was Walter's neighbor at the time of the crime. During these interviews, Hanks admitted to the killing, providing the crucial evidence needed for charges to be filed in 2022.
"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. I consider myself fortunate that I had the resources and the diligent personnel to close this case."
The resolution of this case is particularly noteworthy as it is believed to be the oldest cold case in Kansas to result in a conviction. This achievement underscores the importance of persistent investigation and the application of modern forensic techniques in solving long-standing crimes.
Hanks' criminal history reveals a pattern of serious offenses. In 1981, he was arrested and charged with rape, battery, robbery, and burglary. He served a prison sentence from 1983 to 1993 for these crimes.
The sentencing, which took place on September 12, 2024, saw Judge Steve Johnson departing from the initial plea agreement. While the agreement called for a sentence of 5 to 25 years, the judge imposed a minimum of 10 years, citing the severity of the crime.
Associate Deputy Attorney General Jessica Domme commended the dedication of the investigators, stating that their commitment finally brought justice for Robin Walter. However, the motive behind the murder remains undisclosed, leaving some questions unanswered in this decades-old case.
This conviction serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of cold cases on communities and the importance of continued efforts to solve them, even after many years have passed.
