The Dark Secret Behind a Murder in Lake Luzerne: The Chilling Case of Gail Hanna

A Quiet Town, A Cold-Blooded Crime

Lake Luzerne, NY—a peaceful town known for its picturesque landscapes, tight-knit community, and scenic beauty. But in May 1995, this tranquil setting was rocked by a crime so calculated, so chilling, that it remains one of the most shocking cases in Hadley, Lake Luzerne, Town of Day, Fourth Lake, Lake Vanare, and Stony Creek history.

At the center of it all was Gail Hanna, a woman who lived with her longtime companion Richard Rubel in the heart of Lake Luzerne. Their quiet life seemed ordinary on the surface, but behind closed doors, Hanna had a dark secret—for years, she had been secretly draining Rubel’s substantial estate, stealing from the man who trusted her the most.

A Desperate Cover-Up Turns Deadly

On May 11, 1995, everything came crashing down. Rubel was scheduled to meet with his accountant, and Hanna knew that once he did, her years of deception would come to light. Faced with the impending exposure of her financial crimes, she made a choice that stunned the entire town.

• Instead of confessing, Hanna shot Rubel in the back.

• She wrapped his body in a shower curtain before stuffing him into a large freezer in their garage.

• The next day, as if nothing had happened, she casually reached out to her friends James and Donna Mackie in New Hampshire, telling them she wanted to visit.

What seemed like an innocent getaway was actually an attempt to escape her crime.

A Chilling Confession in New Hampshire

On May 14, 1995, just three days after pulling the trigger, Hanna broke down. In an unprompted confession, she admitted the murder to James and Donna Mackie, unable to carry the weight of her crime any longer.

The Mackies, horrified by what they had just heard, did something that would change everything—they drove Hanna straight to the police station.

• At 11:30 PM, they arrived at the New Hampshire State Police barracks.

• While Hanna sat in stunned silence, Donna Mackie relayed everything to the authorities.

• New Hampshire police immediately contacted the New York State Police, who rushed to Hanna’s home in Lake Luzerne.

• By 2:00 AM on May 15, officers confirmed their worst fears—Rubel’s body was found frozen solid in the garage freezer.

At that moment, Hanna’s fate was sealed.

The Investigation and Courtroom Drama

From the moment her confession reached law enforcement, Hanna had no way out.

• She was read her Miranda rights in New Hampshire and immediately waived them, offering a detailed confession of the crime.

• New York State Police officers arrived shortly after, Mirandized her again, and she repeated her confession.

• Authorities conducted a warrantless search of her home under the emergency exception rule, confirming that the crime scene matched Hanna’s chilling story.

Facing overwhelming evidence, Hanna was indicted for:

✅ Murder in the second degree
✅ Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree

Despite initially pleading not guilty, she later accepted a plea deal, knowing that a trial would only prolong the suffering for both her family and Rubel’s loved ones.

Gail Hanna’s Fate: A Deal with Justice

In exchange for her full confession, Hanna waived her right to appeal and was sentenced to 20 years to life in November 1995.

• She was evaluated by three psychiatrists, all of whom confirmed she was mentally competent to stand trial and accept a plea.

• Before officially pleading guilty, she rejected an initial plea deal of 23 years to life, opting instead for 20 years to life.

• In court, she delivered a powerful written statement, admitting her guilt and saying that prison was the price she had to pay for her actions.

Even with her plea, justice was served, and the small town of Lake Luzerne could finally begin to heal.

For updates on Hadley, Hadley-Luzerne, Town of Day, Lake Luzerne, and Stony Creek, visit HadleyLuzerne.com.