Hanson and a friend, 22-year-old Chad Birkeland, disappeared from south St. Paul, Minnesota on May 2, 1993. They were driving a gold Toyota Tercel at the time. On May 13, Birkeland's body was found in the Mississippi River near Hastings, Minnesota. Hanson has never been located, however.

In 1995, eight men were arrested on methamphetamine charges at a home in Diamond Bluff, Wisconsin. Diamond Bluff borders the Mississippi River and is near the Minnesota state border. Investigators excavated the yard of the property. They were reportedly looking for Hanson's body and other evidence, but all they found was two vehicles. Authorities stated the focus of the search was not for Hanson's body but for evidence in the drug investigation. Hanson's disappearance remains unsolved. Newport, Minnesota police are investigating.