A man from Michigan has been arrested in connection with a murder that occurred nearly 30 years ago in Alaska. The suspect, identified as 54-year-old Christopher Popps, faces charges linked to the 1993 disappearance and murder of Patrick Orville Dearth, a former colleague. The arrest followed a series of anonymous tips that ultimately led authorities to reopen the cold case.
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Popps was taken into custody in July following a grand jury indictment on two counts of second-degree murder. The investigation into Dearth’s death was initiated after Alaska State Troopers (AST) received an anonymous confession about the crime in January 2025. This led the Cold Case Investigation Unit to delve into the details surrounding the alarming claims.
On May 1, 2025, investigators located human remains concealed within a barrel along the Steese Highway, down a difficult-to-access embankment. Due to the treacherous conditions and poor visibility during the winter months, the area was not accessible until the spring. An AST spokesperson, Austin McDaniel, explained that after the remains were examined by the state medical examiner’s office, they were confirmed to be the body of Patrick Orville Dearth, who had been reported missing since November 1993.
The investigation revealed that Dearth, who was 34 at the time of his disappearance, and Popps were known to each other, having worked together previously. Authorities stated that the fatal incident followed an altercation between the two men at an auto shop, which culminated in Popps allegedly shooting Dearth.
Moreover, it was discovered that Popps had previously submitted various anonymous tips to law enforcement agencies in Alaska, indicating his purported involvement in Dearth’s murder. The motivations behind these confessions remain unclear, leaving investigators pondering whether he was seeking some form of absolution or attention.
A grand jury in Fairbanks officially charged Popps on June 25, 2025, prompting his subsequent arrest by Michigan State Police less than a month later. He was apprehended near Kalamazoo and is currently being held in the Kalamazoo County Jail, awaiting extradition to Alaska to face charges related to the long-unsolved case.
The arrest has also ignited discussions about the challenges cold case investigations pose. Homicide detectives are often faced with significant hurdles, especially when significant time has lapsed between the crime and the investigation. However, the successful resolution of this case could provide a glimmer of hope for other families dealing with similar situations.
Authorities have confirmed that Dearth’s next of kin have been informed of Popps’ arrest, offering some form of closure after nearly three decades of uncertainty regarding the fate of their loved one. Meanwhile, the Michigan State Police have not commented further on the details surrounding Popps’ arrest.
As the case unfolds, it is anticipated that more information will emerge, revealing further insights into the events that transpired in 1993. The upcoming legal proceedings in Alaska will be closely monitored by both the media and those interested in the resolution of this historic case.