A man has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for the “brutal, cruel and inexplicable” murder of his partner, Dee Annear, during a camping trip in September 2021. Rohen James Hanson, 42, was found guilty by a jury after a second trial this year, which followed an earlier trial that ended in a hung jury. The sentencing took place at the Supreme Court in Newcastle, where Chief Justice Ian Harrison described the murder as an act of extreme violence.
The tragic incident occurred in the Bulga Forest, roughly two hours west of Port Macquarie. After Hanson made an emergency call on the morning of September 18, 2021, authorities discovered Ms. Annear’s body outside a remote cabin known as “the witch’s hut.” An autopsy revealed she died from blunt force trauma, with significant injuries including skull and rib fractures, lung lacerations, and strangulation marks.
During the sentencing, Chief Justice Harrison emphasized the “frenzied and brutal attack” that led to Ms. Annear’s death. He noted the absence of any reasonable explanation for the violence, stating, “The facts are eerily silent about the sequence of events.” The judge highlighted that Ms. Annear faced a physical disadvantage while defending herself in a secluded area without phone reception.
Initially, Hanson claimed the injuries were the result of a car accident. However, during a subsequent police interview, he admitted to tackling Ms. Annear during an argument, which he described as a physical altercation. This inconsistency in his account raised doubts about his credibility, leading the court to disregard his statements unless they could be corroborated.
In a letter read aloud in court, Hanson expressed remorse for the pain he caused, stating, “I have acted in a shameful, despicable manner.” He reflected on his feelings of loss, saying, “I miss her smell and her funny, blunt quotes … I did truly deeply love and adore her.” Despite his claims of remorse, Chief Justice Harrison emphasized the need for a sentence that denounces the gravity of Hanson’s crime.
Hanson’s troubled background was also addressed during the proceedings. The court learned he grew up in a violent home and had a history of substance abuse, which Chief Justice Harrison acknowledged but stated did not excuse his actions. The judge asserted, “It’s important that his crime be soundly denounced by the terms of his punishment.”
This case has had a profound impact on Ms. Annear’s family. Her half-brother, Brandon Butt, described the emotional toll of the trial process on their mother, who was required to testify. “It has made our last four years very hard,” he said, reflecting on the loss of their “big fun sister” who will never meet her nieces and nephews.
Hanson will be eligible for parole in 2042, a timeline that many family members believe is insufficient for the pain they have endured. Chief Justice Harrison’s remarks underscored the brutal nature of the crime, stating, “This murder was brutal and cruel and inexplicable.” As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the case highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence.
