ST. CROIX COUNTY — In December 2025, the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on a decades-old cold case, announcing the identification of human remains discovered in 2002 and the filing of criminal charges following a DNA genealogy investigation.
The remains were identified as Alyce C. Peterson of Stillwater, Minnesota, who passed away in July 2001 at the age of 91 from natural causes at a local Minnesota hospital.
Benjamin Carl Hanson (pictured), age 57, of Bayport, Minnesota, was identified as a former employee of a local funeral home that provided funeral arrangements for Alyce Peterson.
Charges were filed in St. Croix County Circuit Court against Hanson for Class D Felony Hiding a Corpse and Class C Felony Theft. In March 2026, Hanson pleaded Guilty to the charge of Hiding a Corpse. The Theft charge was dismissed and read in.
Hanson appeared for a sentencing hearing on June 2, 2026, and the Hon. Judge Scott Nordstrand ordered a withheld sentence with 4 years of probation and 1 year of confinement in county jail - 90 days to be served, 9 months stayed.
Conditions of Hanson’s probation prohibit him from working in a funeral home or in the funeral industry. He is also required to maintain absolute sobriety and participate in mental health services and any other programming deemed appropriate by the Department of Corrections. Hanson is ordered to pay over $9,000 in costs, assessments, and fees and over $14,000 in restitution.
If Hanson’s probation is revoked, he could face returning to court for further sentencing.
*PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE*
The St. Croix County Sheriff's Office announces a significant update in a cold case that began over 23 years ago. On October 21, 2002, human remains consisting of a decomposed skull were discovered at the Fred C. Anderson Boy Scout Camp in Somerset Township, rural St. Croix County, Wisconsin.
For almost two decades, Sheriff's Office investigators followed up on numerous investigative leads and scientific techniques to identify the remains. In February 2021, the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office teamed with the DNA Doe Project to assist in identifying the remains utilizing DNA and genetic genealogy.
Through the collaborative efforts of the DNA Doe Project and investigators with the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office, the remains were positively identified as Alyce C. Peterson of Stillwater, Minnesota. Ms. Peterson passed away in July 2001 at the age of 91 from natural causes at a local Minnesota hospital. Investigators worked with Alyce Peterson's family to determine what happened with Peterson's remains following her death.
On December 17, 2025, the St. Croix County District Attorney's office issued criminal charges against Benjamin Carl Hanson (pictured), age 57, of Bayport, Minnesota for Hiding a Corpse in violation of Wisconsin Statute § 940.11(2) and Felony Theft, in violation of Wisconsin Statute § 943.20(1)(a). Hanson was identified as a former employee of a local funeral home that provided funeral arrangements for Alyce Peterson.
Mr. Hanson has the presumption of innocence and is innocent unless proven guilty.
To preserve the integrity of the ongoing prosecution, the Sheriff's Office will not release additional details while the criminal case remains active.
The Sheriff's Office wishes to express its condolences and appreciation to the family of Alyce Peterson and respectfully requests privacy as they grieve the renewed attention surrounding their loved one's death.
-- Per Scott Knudson, St. Croix County Sheriff
Last Update: Jun 03, 2026 9:41 am CDT
