Survived murder of parents

International News Photos (New York, N.Y.) · May 17, 1948

This picture of three-year-old Ralph "Sparky" Dirksen was made today as he was found unharmed in a local children's boarding home. He is unaware that his father and mother, Ralph and Olga Dirksen, were murdered last night and their bodies incinerated. Robert Hansen, 24-year-old handyman employed by the Dirksens, is under arrest, charged with the murder. He says he brought the child to the boarding home.