Army Soldier Accused of Fatally Shooting Newlywed Wife and Concealing Her Body Found in Storm Drain
Aug 24, 2023, 01:00 AM
An Army soldier has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his newlywed wife. Zarrius Hildabrand, 21, a member of the Alaska National Guard's 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, stands accused of fatally shooting his wife, Saria Hildabrand, also 21, and then attempting to cover up the crime by stashing her body in a storm drain.
The Anchorage Police Department revealed that the disturbing series of events began when Hildabrand reported Saria missing on the evening of Monday, August 7. The couple had returned home in the early hours of Sunday, August 6, after celebrating Zarrius' birthday with friends. A neighbor later reported hearing a gunshot in the vicinity around 2:45 a.m. on Sunday.
Hildabrand initially claimed that Saria had walked to work at a local restaurant between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. that same day, saying they were both too hungover to drive. He reported her missing to the police when he went to pick her up from work at 7 p.m. and realized she never arrived. Desperate and concerned, he turned to social media, posting messages on Facebook about his wife's disappearance and even assisting Saria's mother, Meredith Barney, in searching for her.
However, the unfolding investigation raised serious doubts about Hildabrand's account. A friend of the couple informed the police that Saria had not planned to work on August 6. Contradictions in Hildabrand's statements and evidence found at their apartment led detectives to delve deeper into the case.
When police searched the couple's apartment, they discovered two loaded pistols on the kitchen table, one of which was missing a bullet. Detectives also noticed peculiar details, including a missing bed sheet replaced by a mattress pad with new sheets nearby. Hildabrand's reluctance to let the police inspect the bed raised further suspicions.
As the investigation progressed, more incriminating evidence emerged. Hildabrand was found to have purchased a variety of items on August 6, including a jar of marinara sauce, a set of sheets matching those in their apartment, a mattress cover, hydrogen peroxide, and an empty spray bottle. A large 96-gallon garbage can was also purchased from a nearby store. Police later located a mop and mop bucket that matched those sold on the same aisle as the garbage can.
Tragically, the investigation reached its conclusion when a drone search uncovered Saria Hildabrand's remains concealed in a 4-by-5-foot storm drain near the couple's apartment. She had suffered a gunshot wound to the left temple.
The couple, who had met during basic training the previous summer, were married in December 2022. Saria had moved from Utah to Alaska just six months prior to be with her new husband.
Zarrius Hildabrand was appointed a public defender and is being held on a $500,000 bond.
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The Anchorage Police Department revealed that the disturbing series of events began when Hildabrand reported Saria missing on the evening of Monday, August 7. The couple had returned home in the early hours of Sunday, August 6, after celebrating Zarrius' birthday with friends. A neighbor later reported hearing a gunshot in the vicinity around 2:45 a.m. on Sunday.
Hildabrand initially claimed that Saria had walked to work at a local restaurant between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. that same day, saying they were both too hungover to drive. He reported her missing to the police when he went to pick her up from work at 7 p.m. and realized she never arrived. Desperate and concerned, he turned to social media, posting messages on Facebook about his wife's disappearance and even assisting Saria's mother, Meredith Barney, in searching for her.
However, the unfolding investigation raised serious doubts about Hildabrand's account. A friend of the couple informed the police that Saria had not planned to work on August 6. Contradictions in Hildabrand's statements and evidence found at their apartment led detectives to delve deeper into the case.
When police searched the couple's apartment, they discovered two loaded pistols on the kitchen table, one of which was missing a bullet. Detectives also noticed peculiar details, including a missing bed sheet replaced by a mattress pad with new sheets nearby. Hildabrand's reluctance to let the police inspect the bed raised further suspicions.
As the investigation progressed, more incriminating evidence emerged. Hildabrand was found to have purchased a variety of items on August 6, including a jar of marinara sauce, a set of sheets matching those in their apartment, a mattress cover, hydrogen peroxide, and an empty spray bottle. A large 96-gallon garbage can was also purchased from a nearby store. Police later located a mop and mop bucket that matched those sold on the same aisle as the garbage can.
Tragically, the investigation reached its conclusion when a drone search uncovered Saria Hildabrand's remains concealed in a 4-by-5-foot storm drain near the couple's apartment. She had suffered a gunshot wound to the left temple.
The couple, who had met during basic training the previous summer, were married in December 2022. Saria had moved from Utah to Alaska just six months prior to be with her new husband.
Zarrius Hildabrand was appointed a public defender and is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com