safety
Tipster charged with killing man who vanished over 30 years ago after giving anonymous tip to police
By Josiah Pike, Jordan Gartner at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 18, 2026
· 1 min read
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - A Michigan man has been arrested and charged with murder in Alaska in connection with the death of a man nearly 33 years ago.According to the Alaska State Troopers, 54-year-old Christopher Popps was indicted on two counts of second-degree murder on June 25 in ...
Key takeaway According to the Alaska State Troopers, 54-year-old Christopher Popps was indicted on two counts of second-degree murder on June 25 in the death of Patrick Dearth, who was reported missing in November 1993.
Why this matters in The Midland
The shocking arrest of a man in connection with a decades-old murder in Alaska has a surprising twist, with the suspect allegedly providing the anonymous tip that led to his own indictment. This case raises questions about the complexities of human behavior and the motivations behind such actions. In Midland , where community safety is a top priority, this story serves as a reminder that even the most heinous crimes can be solved with persistence and diligence. The fact that the suspect was able to evade detection for nearly 33 years is a sobering reminder that justice can be slow, but it can also be relentless. As the case against Christopher Popps moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the prosecution builds its case and what ultimately motivated Popps to come forward with the anonymous tip that led to his own downfall.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - A Michigan man has been arrested and charged with murder in Alaska in connection with the death of a man nearly 33 years ago.According to the Alaska State Troopers, 54-year-old Christopher Popps was indicted on two counts of second-degree murder on June 25 in ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Josiah Pike, Jordan Gartner at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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