No Arrest in Hansen Homicide
No suspects are in custody but Whiteville Police are continuing to follow leads in the March 11 killing of Cynthia Hansen.
“We need your help,” Chief Paul Rockenbach said at a press conference this morning (Wednesday), a week after Hansen was killed in her fitness studio at 711 N. Thompson Street.
A client arriving for an early morning session called 911 shortly after 6 a.m. March 11, according to police. Police found Hansen alive but brutally assaulted. She was taken to Columbus Regional, where she died a short time later.
Flanked by members of City Council, Whiteville Police, the sheriff’s office, the State Bureau of Investigation, and District Attorney’s Office, Rockenbach called on the public to share any information with investigators.
“At this time we are asking for your continued support.”
Authorities are asking for surveillance footage from the overnight hours of March 10-11, as well as the days leading up to the homicide.
“We need your help,” he said. “If you live in this area, specifically east side residents with video surveillance. Do not assume what you have is unimportant, or that someone else has already supplied us with it. Something as small as a shadow might make a difference.
“Somebody out there knows something,” he said. “Maybe you saw something that did not sit right. If you saw something you didn’t think was important, now is the time to tell us.”
Rockenbach said authorities have been “working around the clock” since they arrived on the crime scene just after 6 a.m. last Wednesday. He said the WPD is working with the sheriff’s office, State Bureau of Investigation, District Attorney’s office, and federal partners.
“This was a senseless and violent act that has deeply impacted not only the Hansen family, but the entire Whiteville community,” the chief said.
He said the department has received multiple tips and from the public, and some have developed leads that are being looked into. He said investigators are still seeking video from surveillance, Ring and dash cams from the areas of North Thompson between 2 and 6 a.m. March 11.
Since the killing, rumors have also spread in the community and on social media about everything from suspects to motives. Rockenbach asked for help in quelling the rumors.
“We ask the public to refrain from spreading misinformation,” he said, “as it can hinder the investigation and cause unnecessary concern in the community.”
He said police are investigating every tip, “but we do not investigate rumors.”
Rockenbach reemphasized his earlier statements that the incident is isolated.
“Based on the information that we have at this time, we do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public.”
He said that Whiteville Police “are present. Columbus County Sheriff’s Deputies are present. Our state and federal partners are present.”
Rockenbach also announced a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The reward is being provided by Sheriff Bill Rogers and a private donor.
Rockenbach said that investigators do not have sufficient details to provide about a person of interest reportedly spotted on South Thompson Street around the time of the killing. He also said that the medical examiner’s report is not yet available.
Throughout the briefing, Rockenbach emphasized the need for information from the public.
“If you see something, say something,” he said.
The chief said the investigation is continuing, and he is confident an arrest will be forthcoming.
“We are closing in,” he said.
Tips can be shared anonymously with Whiteville Police at https://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfWhiteville1/SubmitATip and through the sheriff’s office app.
