Fairbanks, Alaska — A decades-old missing persons case has taken a dramatic turn after an anonymous confession led investigators to human remains and, ultimately, to the arrest of the man police say made the call himself.
Alaska State Troopers announced that 54-year-old Christopher Popps has been charged in connection with the 1993 disappearance and death of Patrick Orville Dearth, whose remains were discovered more than 30 years after he vanished.
Authorities allege Popps anonymously confessed to the killing before investigators traced the calls back to him, reopening one of Alaska’s long-unsolved cold cases.
Anonymous Tip Revived a 30-Year-Old Investigation
Patrick Orville Dearth, 34, was reported missing in November 1993 after disappearing from Fairbanks. For more than three decades, investigators had little evidence to explain what happened.
The investigation changed on January 22, 2025, when Alaska State Troopers received an anonymous tip from someone claiming responsibility for a murder committed in the Fairbanks area in 1993.
The case was assigned to the Alaska Bureau of Investigation’s Cold Case Investigation Unit, but harsh winter conditions delayed any search of the area identified by the caller.
Once snow melted and daylight conditions improved, investigators returned to the location in May 2025.
Human Remains Found Inside Barrel
Authorities searched a remote area near Mile 47 of the Steese Highway, where they discovered human remains inside a barrel down a steep embankment.
The Alaska State Medical Examiner’s Office later identified the remains as Patrick Orville Dearth and ruled his death a homicide.
According to investigators, the discovery confirmed key details provided in the anonymous confession. As detectives continued investigating, they concluded that the person making the anonymous calls was Christopher Popps.
Police Say Suspect Made Multiple Anonymous Confessions
Investigators allege Popps made multiple anonymous calls to different Alaska law enforcement agencies over time, each claiming responsibility for Dearth’s death.
Authorities have not explained why Popps allegedly began confessing more than 30 years after the killing. According to investigators, Popps and Dearth had previously worked together in Fairbanks.
Police believe the fatal shooting happened after an argument at an auto repair shop.
“Based on our investigation, we determined there was an altercation at an auto shop, which led Popps to shoot Dearth,” Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniel said.
Murder Charges Filed, Extradition Pending
A Fairbanks grand jury indicted Popps on two counts of second-degree murder on June 25, 2026, and an arrest warrant was issued the same day.
Authorities said the suspect was arrested by Michigan State Police near Kalamazoo on July 16.
He remains in custody at the Kalamazoo County Jail while awaiting extradition to Alaska. As of the latest court records, Popps did not have an attorney listed in Alaska, and no future court hearings had been scheduled.
The charges against Popps are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in a case that remained unsolved for more than three decades and highlights how renewed investigations—and unexpected tips—can help resolve long-standing cold cases.
What are your thoughts on this remarkable cold case breakthrough? Do you think anonymous confessions should be investigated differently in long-unsolved cases? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
