In September 2008, a brutal assault inside an Albuquerque home left a teenager fighting for her life and sparked a nearly decade-long quest for justice. The case involving Justin Hansen and Brittani Marcell stands as one of New Mexico's most haunting criminal investigations. While online rumors or tabloid-style write-ups occasionally mischaracterize their past relationship as a "power couple," the reality of the situation involves a terrifying stranger-stalker dynamic, a near-fatal assault, and an extraordinary memory recovery that ultimately cracked the cold case.
This deep dive examines the timeline of the attack, the forensic breakthroughs, the long-term impact on the victim, and how law enforcement finally brought the perpetrator to justice years later.
The 2008 Attack and Immediate Aftermath
On September 11, 2008, seventeen-year-old Brittani Marcell returned to her family home in Albuquerque just before noon. Unbeknownst to her, an intruder had broken in through a back window. Justin Hansen, then an acquaintance from a local retail booth where Brittani had worked, stalked her to the residence and launched a vicious attack using a shovel.
Brittani suffered catastrophic head trauma. When her mother, Diane Marcell, returned home shortly after, she discovered her daughter bleeding profusely on the floor. The intruder confronted Diane, threatening her before fleeing the scene. Diane rushed her daughter to the hospital, where medical professionals placed Brittani in a medically induced coma to save her life.
The physical toll was severe. Brittani survived, but the trauma left her partially blind in one eye and permanently deaf in one ear. She endured numerous reconstructive surgeries and had to relearn basic motor functions, including how to walk, speak, and eat. Furthermore, acute retrograde amnesia erased her memories of the attack entirely, leaving detectives with few immediate leads.
The Investigation and Forensic Breakthroughs
In the initial months following the assault, Albuquerque police collected physical evidence from the crime scene, including a single drop of blood left behind by the attacker. Investigators uploaded the profile to DNA databases, but it yielded no immediate matches. With no eyewitness testimony from the victim due to her brain trauma, the case stalled.
For years, Justin Hansen moved on with his life, marrying and having children while living locally. Meanwhile, Brittani underwent intensive cognitive behavioral therapy and rehabilitation. Slowly, fragments of her memory began to return through therapeutic breakthroughs.
In October 2016, a critical memory surfaced. Brittani recalled a young man named "Justin" who used to chat with her repeatedly while she worked at a retail sunglasses booth prior to the attack. She provided this crucial name to investigators, giving them a specific target for the first time in eight years.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Armed with the new lead, detectives launched a discreet surveillance operation on Justin Hansen. Officers managed to obtain a discarded item containing his DNA to compare against the genetic material recovered from the 2008 crime scene. The match was positive, linking Hansen directly to the shovel attack.
In July 2017, police arrested Hansen in a local parking lot. Public shock followed the arrest, as neighbors and acquaintances knew him as a normal family man with no prior serious criminal record.
Facing overwhelming forensic evidence, including the DNA profile and blood samples, the legal process moved forward. In early 2018, Hansen entered a no-contest plea to charges including first-degree attempted murder and aggravated burglary, though he continued to publicly maintain his innocence. In July 2018, a New Mexico judge sentenced him to 18 years in prison. According to records from the New Mexico Corrections Department, individuals convicted of violent felonies serve substantial portions of their sentences before becoming eligible for supervised release.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the relationship between Justin Hansen and Brittani Marcell?
They were not a couple, contrary to misleading internet rumors. They were mere acquaintances who had brief interactions when Brittani worked at a retail kiosk, where Hansen frequently approached her.
How did police catch Justin Hansen after eight years?
Investigators relied on a combination of recovered DNA evidence from the crime scene and Brittani's recovered memories. After years of therapy, Brittani remembered the name "Justin" and reported it to police in 2016, allowing detectives to secure a DNA sample that matched the crime scene.
What sentence did Justin Hansen receive?
In July 2018, a judge sentenced Justin Hansen to 18 years in prison following his no-contest plea to attempted murder and aggravated burglary.
How is Brittani Marcell today?
Brittani survived the attack despite severe permanent injuries, including the loss of sight in one eye and deafness in one ear. She has dedicated much of her post-recovery life to advocacy, speaking out about crime survivor resilience and working through the lasting trauma of the event.
For further reading on how cold cases are solved using genetic genealogy and forensic DNA profiling, visit the National Institute of Justice.
This video provides historical news coverage and footage detailing the long-awaited arrest of Justin Hansen for the 2008 assault.
