Episode 148 The Hanson Family Murders

In December, 2021, a shocking triple murder happened in Milbank, SD.

29 year old Jessica Hanson, her unborn daughter Annika, who she was 9 months pregnant with, and her 59 year old husband Clyde were murdered in their residence in separate attacks in an act of domestic violence at the hands of Clyde's brother, Brent Hanson. The attacks were brutal; while Jessica was at work, Clyde was beaten to death with a baseball bat in his bed while the Hanson's young son Ty slept nearby. When Jessica returned home from work, she was attacked with a machete, and both she and her baby Annika were killed. Brent Hanson admitted to police that he had committed the murders saying that he 'lost it'. It came to light that proceeding the murders, Brent who was living with Jessica and Clyde, had violently attacked Jessica, and when her husband Clyde came to her defense, he too was attacked. Despite the attack on his brother and sister in law, Brent Hanson remained a free man. Following the domestic violence, Jessica and Clyde understndably did not feel safe living with Brent, but he and Clyde co-owned their home, so they decided to essentially sub-divide the residence, and live in one section while Brent lived in another. Sadly, the new living arrangements did not keep them safe from Brent.

Following the tragedy, Jessica's sister Jasmine King tried to adopt her nephew Ty who had survived the ordeal, but South Dakota CPS stepped in and adopted Ty out to another family. To make matters worse, although Jessica's family was pushing for the death penalty, prosecutors without consulting them, agreed to a plea deal with Brent Hanson, and instead of the death penalty, he was sentenced to life in prison.

This story is tragic all the way around, and has devastated Jessica's family. Despite Jessica's son Ty surviving the violence, they feel he was stolen away from them. In this episode, Jessica's sister Jasmine King discusses the tragic details of this case, and the aftermath which has left her heartbroken.

If you or someone you know needs help escaping a domestic violence situation, you can seek help by calling the National domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233

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