Former US Soldier Jailed for 59 Years for Killing Wife, Dumping Body in Storm Drain
Former US Soldier Jailed for 59 Years for Killing Wife, Dumping Body in Storm Drain
Former US Soldier Jailed for 59 Years for Killing Wife, Dumping Body in Storm Drain
A former United States Army soldier, Zarrius Hildabrand, 24, has been sentenced to 59 years in prison for the killing of his 21-year-old wife, Saria Hildabrand, and dumping her body in a storm drain in Anchorage, Alaska.
The killing occurred on August 6, 2023, hours after the couple celebrated Saria’s 21st birthday with friends.
Prosecutors said Saria, who worked as a combat medic, discovered messages indicating that her husband had been unfaithful, leading to a confrontation during which he shot her in the head with a 9mm handgun.
Rather than report the incident, Hildabrand allegedly purchased a large wheeled garbage bin and cleaning supplies, concealed his wife’s body and dumped it in a nearby storm drain.
He later reported her missing and participated in the search for her.
Investigators discovered blood on the couple’s mattress, carpet, bed frame and bathtub. Saria’s remains were eventually recovered from the drainage system after detectives identified inconsistencies in her husband’s account.
During the trial, Hildabrand admitted disposing of his wife’s body but claimed he could not remember whether he had killed her. His defence suggested that the shooting could have been accidental or self-inflicted, while prosecutors argued that his actions showed a deliberate attempt to conceal the crime.
An Anchorage jury convicted him of second-degree murder and two counts of tampering with physical evidence in June, while acquitting him of first-degree murder.
During sentencing, Judge Peter Ramgren criticised Hildabrand’s lack of remorse. The former soldier declined to address the court or apologise to his wife’s family.
The court sentenced him to 59 years in prison, with an additional 25-year sentence suspended. He must serve at least two-thirds of his active sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Former US Soldier Jailed for 59 Years for Killing Wife, Dumping Body in Storm Drain
