Former U.S. Army soldier Zarrius Hildabrand was found guilty of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his wife, Saria Barney Hildabrand, in Alaska in 2023.
Missing Persons Report
The 23-year-old defendant pleaded to the public through social media in 2023 for help finding his missing wife. Years later, he stood stoic as an Anchorage, Alaska jury handed down its decision to acquit him of first-degree murder and convict him of a lesser charge.
Prosecutors say that Zarrius killed Saria in their home on August 6, 2023, after she found out he was cheating on her. He attempted to cover up his tracks and clean the crime scene, and dump her body in a storm drain.
The day after, Zarrius filed a missing persons report for his wife, claiming she started her walk to work without her phone, but was not there when he went to pick her up. Co-workers reported to authorities that she never showed up.
While the investigation began into a missing persons case, Zarrius posted a flyer to his Facebook Page, reading, “Updated information on my missing wife PLEASE SHARE AND REPOST!!!!!!”
On August 10, days after Saria was reported missing, her body was found only 100 yards away from the married couple’s apartment in a storm drain. The apartment complex’s landscape crew discovered a 96-gallon trash can that had red-brown staining. The victim’s body was found with a blanket, pillow, sheet, and tan military gloves.
Army Soldier Trial
At his trial, which began in mid-June, Zarrius claimed he had no memory of the night Saria died. To the best of his knowledge, the two were celebrating his 21st birthday, and when he woke up, she was shot to death.
Defense attorney Lacey Brewster acknowledged that her client has made mistakes, but then attempted to turn it around on the victim, saying she died from a “tragic, self-inflicted accident.” She continued to explain that he was frightened by his discovery and panicked.
“He’s afraid. What am I going to do? What are people going to say about me? Zarrius is scared, and when he’s scared, he does some stupid things, and he does some offensive things. He does some things he regrets,” she said. “Fear is the motivation behind the reason that Zarrius did what he did.”
Zarrius Hildabrand Testifies
“The first thing I was afraid of was having no recollection of the night before, and just not knowing what happened,” Zarrius testified. “I was afraid I was gonna lose my family; I was afraid that I was gonna go to jail for something that I had no recollection of. Just, there’s so many unknowns, and I immediately assumed the worst.”
Zarrius then conceded to the prosecution what his course of action was after discovering his wife was dead. “The plan was to hide the body of my wife and then clean up the blood off the mattress and the surrounding area,” he said.
He claimed he had memory loss at that time, but Prosecutor Brittany Dunlop opposed his version of events in her closing arguments, claiming it was not a credible defense. “Selective amnesia is a coward’s way out of a hard truth,” Dunlop said. “He acted impulsively and drunkenly, no doubt — but he did act intentionally.”
Zarrius’s sentencing is scheduled for October 23, 2026, and expected to receive decades in prison. Under Alaska law, he faces anywhere from 15 to 99 years behind bars.
Remembering Saria Barney
Saria, a combat medic in the Alaska Army National Guard, is remembered by her family as an “amazing woman,” a “cherished sister,” and “a shining light.” In a statement posted on Facebook by her loved ones, they thanked everyone who helped locate their missing loved one.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential support is available 24 hours a day through the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or visit The Hotline at thehotline.org. to speak with a trained advocate.
