Christopher Popps, 54, has been charged with second-degree murder in the 1993 death of Patrick Dearth in Fairbanks, Alaska, after allegedly providing an anonymous tip that led investigators to the victim's remains, according to Alaska state police.
Anonymous tip leads to discovery of remains
In January 2025, an anonymous tipster called authorities, taking responsibility for Dearth's disappearance and disclosing the location of his remains. Investigators later identified the tipster as Popps. In May 2025, police found Dearth's remains in a barrel at the bottom of a steep highway embankment, as directed by the tip.
Dearth, 34, had been missing since November 1993. The case remained unsolved for over three decades until the tip.
Suspect and victim were co-workers
Alaska Public Media, citing state police spokesperson Austin McDaniel, reported that Popps and Dearth were colleagues at an auto shop. McDaniel said Popps allegedly shot Dearth during an altercation at their workplace. Popps had provided multiple anonymous tips about Dearth to law enforcement, though his motives remain unclear.
Investigation delayed by snow and darkness
McDaniel told Alaska Public Media that investigators waited about four months to search for Dearth's body because the area was covered in snow at the time of the January 2025 tip, and daylight was scarce. The search was conducted in May 2025 after conditions improved.
Arrest and charges
Court records show a Fairbanks grand jury indicted Popps on June 25, 2025. Popps, a resident of Battle Creek, Michigan, was arrested by Michigan state police on July 16 and booked into the Kalamazoo County jail. He is being held without bond pending transfer to Alaska. If convicted, he faces 10 to 99 years in prison under Alaska law. Alaska state police notified Dearth's family of the arrest.
