Charges Filed Against Benjamin Hanson in Cold Case of Human Skull Discovery

Benjamin Carl Hanson, a 57-year-old former funeral director, has been charged with hiding a corpse and felony theft in connection with a cold case that began over 23 years ago. The case revolves around the discovery of a human skull found in a ravine near a Boy Scout camp in Somerset Township, Wisconsin, in October 2002. The skull was later identified as belonging to Alyce Catharina Peterson, who died in July 2001.

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• July 2001: Alyce Catharina Peterson, 92, dies after a medical emergency and is cremated at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Maplewood, Minnesota.

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• October 19, 2002: Boy Scouts discover garbage bags containing human remains while hiking, leading to an investigation by the St. Croix County Sheriff's Department.

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• February 2021: The skull is sent to Astrea Forensics for advanced DNA testing, which ultimately identifies it as Peterson's.

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• December 2025: Charges against Hanson are filed, detailing his alleged misconduct during his tenure at Simonet Funeral Home.

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Court documents reveal that during his employment at Simonet Funeral Home, Hanson was suspected of stealing from the business. Employees reported that he used the funeral home's credit card for personal purchases, including school supplies and lawnmower parts. After being fired, he allegedly harassed his replacement, leading to a harassment order against him, which was denied. The current owners of Simonet Funeral Home, who took over in 2013, have stated that they were not involved in any of the alleged misconduct.

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The current owners of Simonet Funeral Home expressed their condolences to Peterson's family, emphasizing that the events in question occurred long before their ownership. They stated, "We are both saddened and angry at the situation as it is not how professional funeral directors conduct themselves." They also affirmed their full cooperation with law enforcement throughout the investigation.

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Hanson's wife, Michele, who is also the mayor of Bayport, expressed her support for her husband, stating, "This allegedly occurred more than two decades ago. I support my husband and I am confident we'll get through this with the love and support of our family and friends."

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Critics have raised concerns about the handling of the case, particularly regarding the long duration before charges were filed. The St. Croix County Sheriff's Department has faced scrutiny for the cold case's initial lack of resolution, which left many unanswered questions for Peterson's family and the community.

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Hanson is expected to appear in court for further proceedings as the case unfolds. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Peterson's death and the actions of Hanson during his employment at the funeral home will likely continue to be scrutinized as more details emerge.

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• "We are both saddened and angry at the situation as it is not how professional funeral directors conduct themselves." — Current owners of Simonet Funeral Home

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• "This allegedly occurred more than two decades ago. I support my husband and I am confident we'll get through this with the love and support of our family and friends." — Michele Hanson, wife of Benjamin Hanson

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