US Army soldier sentenced to 59 years for murdering wife and dumping body

Zarrius Hildabrand, a 24-year-old US Army soldier stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, was sentenced in Anchorage to a total of 59 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Saria Barney Hildabrand, and for tampering with evidence. The judge described his actions as intentional and abhorrent, highlighting an apparent lack of remorse and a focus on his own interests. Hildabrand shot his wife after an argument following a night out, then bought cleaning supplies and a large garbage can to conceal the crime, ultimately dumping her body in a 15- to 20-foot storm drain where it was later recovered.

He filed a missing-persons report and took part in the search, while also sending messages from his wife's phone to suggest she was merely absent from work. The conviction carries 55 years for second-degree murder, two consecutive two-year terms for evidence tampering, and an additional 25-year term, with parole eligibility after serving two-thirds of the sentence.