SURVIVING: Ernest Pine
In August 2008, a woman in rural Kentucky survived one of the most brutal assaults we have ever reported, but her strength that night ensured her attacker was identified and arrested. Years later, he is a free man living in the community. As we examined his past, we uncovered unsettling similarities to another case that has haunted a family for decades. Now, two families are searching for answers — and they need your help.
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A diagram depicting the layout of Linda’s house.
Credit: Kentucky State Police
Elena Sanchez Hawkins
Courtesy: Elvia Sanchez Smith
Elena with her husband, Mike, and their son
Courtesy: Elvia Sanchez Smith
Elena Sanchez Hawkins
Courtesy: Elvia Sanchez Smith
Top: Chevy S-10, the model of truck that Ernest allegedly bought for his daughter sometime before 1992. Bottom: Nissan Datsun, the model of truck reported by a witness as being parked in Elena’s driveway the morning she was killed.
Credit: Japani Amelica / Facebook
A 2025 mugshot of Ernest Pine
Credit: Kentucky State Police
Timeline:
7–10 a.m.
Elena Sanchez Hawkins is found murdered inside her home after seeing her son onto the school bus. Investigators are unable to identify a viable suspect, and the case goes cold.
Around 7 p.m.
Linda answers a knock at her door from neighbor Ernest Pine, who forces his way into her home and attacks her.
8:12 p.m.
Linda triggers the home’s panic alarm and calls for help.
8:20 p.m.
First responders arrive, and Linda identifies Ernest as her attacker before being airlifted for emergency surgery.
Around 9 p.m.
Sheriff’s deputies arrest Ernest at his home. He initially denies being at Linda’s house, then backtracks.
Early morning
Kentucky State Police interview Ernest and begin collecting evidence linking him to the attack, including blood on his watch and shoe, a jammed .22-caliber handgun, and knives with blood.
At Ernest’s indictment hearing, Linda’s father-in-law meets Elena Sanchez Hawkins’ father-in-law, who says he believes Ernest murdered her in 1992.
Ernest pleads guilty to burglary, attempted murder, rape, sodomy, kidnapping, criminal mischief and assault. He receives a 20-year concurrent sentence.
Ernest is released on parole after serving 17 years of his 20-year sentence.
Area Surrounding Rough River Lake
The lakeside neighborhood where Linda lived and was attacked in her home. Ernest also lived in this area, about a one-minute drive from Linda.
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
The city where Elena was found murdered in her home.
Boston, Kentucky
Allegedly the nearest location where Ernest could legally buy alcohol in 1992. His daily route may have taken him past Elena’s home around the time she put her son on the school bus.
Fort Knox, Kentucky
Where Ernest was stationed before retiring from the Army and later moving to the Elizabethtown area.
Additional Info
The murder of Elena Sanchez Hawkins tips
If you know anything about the murder of Elena Sanchez Hawkins, please call the Kentucky State Police Post 4 at (270)766–5078 or email us at [email protected].
RAINN’s national sexual assault hotline
If you are a victim of sexual abuse, you can contact RAINN’s national sexual assault hotline by calling 800-656-HOPE (4673), by texting HOPE to 64673, or by online chatting at hotline.RAINN.org. Their services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
We’d love to speak with you and see how we can support.
If you’re a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if you’re looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
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Original reporting by Mallika Dhaliwal and Taylor Day.
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Megan Storm’s reporting for A Simpler Time True Crime podcast.
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The Winchester Sun (Winchester, KY): Woman found dead by AP. Published January 9, 1992. Accessed June 17, 2025 via newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1012244701
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The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY): Woman found dead in Elizabethtown by The Central Kentucky Bureau. Published January 9, 1992. Accessed June 17, 2025 via newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/110114949
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Lexington Herald-Leader (Lexington, KY): Police investigate Elizabethtown slaying. Published January 11, 1992. Accessed June 17, 2025 via newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/689831231
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Wave News (Louisville, KY): Suspect in attempted murder may have ties to 1992 unsolved case by Maria Ansari. Published August 29, 2008. Updated October 9, 2008. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://www.wave3.com/story/8924118/suspect-in-attempted-murder-may-have-ties-to-1992-unsolved-case/
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Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, KY): Owensboro native cut, raped, left for dead by Dariush Shafa. Published August 29, 2008. Accessed June 20, 2025 via newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/379896355 & https://www.newspapers.com/image/379896362
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Lexington Herald-Leader (Lexington, KY): Woman’s throat slit; Breckinridge man in jail. Published August 29, 2008. Accessed June 20, 2025 via newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/693771740
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Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, KY): Hardinsburg man pleads not guilty in attack on woman. Published September 4, 2008. Accessed June 20, 2025 via newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/379881980
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Lexington Herald-Leader (Lexington, KY): Police say recent assault similar to 1992 slaying by Herald-Leader Staff Report. Published September 4, 2008. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://www.kentucky.com/latest-news/article43973907.html
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Wave News (Louisville, KY): Suspect in attempted murder may have ties to 1992 unsolved case by Scott Harvey. Published November 6, 2008. Updated November 25, 2008. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://www.wave3.com/story/9301595/recent-attack-may-help-police-solve-1992-murder-case/
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Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, KY): Man sentenced to 20 years for knife attack by Associated Press. Published June 19, 2009. Accessed June 20, 2025 via newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/375894255
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Lexington Herald-Leader (Lexington, KY): Guilty plea in brutal attack. Published June 19, 2009. Accessed June 20, 2025 via newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/695232797
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The News-Enterprise (Elizabethtown, KY): Who killed Elena Sanchez Hawkins? By Jeff D’Alessio. Published January 8, 2012. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://www.thenewsenterprise.com/news/local/who-killed-elena-sanchez-hawkins/article_67230682-6fc9-5bf0-b70c-b50861d889c2.html
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The News-Enterprise (Elizabethtown, KY): A pursuit for justice: Brother of woman killed in 1992 is seeking her killer By Jeff D’Alessio. Published July 19, 2020. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://www.thenewsenterprise.com/news/local/a-pursuit-for-justice-brother-of-woman-killed-in-1992-is-seeking-her-killer/article_f3571683-bb28-5fc1-8028-d073fd154c2a.html
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