911 transcripts shed new light on deadly assault of Whiteville business owner
WHITEVILLE, N.C. (WWAY) — Newly released 911 call transcripts are providing new details in the deadly assault of Whiteville business owner Cynthia Hansen.
Hansen, 71, was attacked inside her business, Stronger Body Fitness, on March 11 — a case that has shaken the local community.
Whiteville Police Chief Paul Rockenbach said investigators have identified the first name of the suspect as “Daniel.”
According to transcripts obtained by WWAY, a client called 911 requesting a wellness check after arriving at the business and becoming concerned.
CALLER: “Hi I’m here at Stronger Body Fitness with Cynthia Hansen. I’m here to work out but I need a wellness check because I think I heard a man in there but she doesn’t have a man come to exercise right now.”
The caller told dispatchers they entered the building, saw the kitchen door closed and did not see Hansen.
“I need someone here quickly please…I heard a man in the kitchen and I did not see my trainer, Cynthia,” the caller said.
Wendy Case, a client of Hansen’s, said Hansen would often rest in the kitchen where the attack occurred.
“She didn’t have a fighting chance, he didn’t even give her an opportunity to live because she was pinned up in a room,” Case said.
The caller then returned to their car and told dispatchers they still believed a man was inside, noting there were no vehicles outside the business.
“I heard a man, I know there is not a man that is supposed to be here and there is no vehicle parked out here either,” the caller said.
Moments later, the caller reported seeing a man exit the building and turn off the lights.
“Oh my God a man just walked…I can see a man outside walking but he is walking the opposite way,” the caller said.
The call ended after the caller told dispatchers, “Oh I see a man that’s running,” to which 911 responded, “We’ve got units dispatched out to you.”
Police have also released a surveillance image showing a shadowy figure near the building the morning of the assault.
“You can not hide from this, we are coming, and we are closing in,” Rockenbach said.
Hansen later died from her injuries. Police said she was assaulted with a “weapon of opportunity” inside the business.
“She didn’t just pass away, she was murdered, somebody attacked her and took her life, and she was so vibrant, life will never be the same,” Case said.
Authorities said a $27,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Whiteville Police Department.
The investigation remains ongoing.
