The Kansas Attorney General’s Office said in a statement Friday that it was Hanks’ admission in new interviews that allowed authorities to charge him in 2022, when he was living in Burden, Kansas.
The sheriff said they believe it is the oldest cold case in Kansas to be solved and result in a conviction.
In his interviews, Hanks admitted to killing Walter, the attorney general’s office said.
The statements from the sheriff and attorney general’s office, and online court records, don’t say whether Hanks ever revealed his motive for killing Walter.
Officials with the attorney general’s office and Hanks’ attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press on Saturday.
Persons:
Mary Robin Walter, Brian Bellendir, Steven L, Hanks, Steve Johnson, ” Bellendir, “, ” Walter, Detective Adam Hales, David Paden, Walter, Jessica Domme, ” Domme, Bellendir
Organizations:
Bend , Kansas AP, The, The Kansas Attorney General’s, Police, Wichita Eagle, Kansas Department of Corrections, Associated Press
Locations:
Bend , Kansas, Kansas, Great Bend, Barton County, The Kansas, Burden , Kansas