Battle Creek Man Arrested in 33-Year-Old Alaska Cold Case Murder

A Battle Creek man is facing murder charges after Michigan State Police say he confessed to a homicide that occurred more than three decades ago in Alaska. Christopher Popps, 54, was arrested at his Battle Creek residence on July 16, 2026, on an outstanding homicide warrant from the State of Alaska.

The Breakthrough

The case began to unravel in January 2025 when Alaska State Troopers received an anonymous tip from someone claiming to have committed a murder in 1993. According to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the tipster provided specific details about the location of the body.

In May 2025, investigators traveled to mile 47 of the Steese Highway in central Alaska, where they located human remains inside a barrel. The state's medical examiner later identified the victim as Patrick Orville Dearth, 34, who had been reported missing in November 1993.

The Investigation

Through their investigation, Alaska State Troopers identified Christopher Popps as the individual who made the anonymous call. Popps, who resides in Battle Creek, Michigan, became the primary suspect in the 33-year-old cold case.

In June 2026, a Fairbanks grand jury indicted Popps on two counts of murder in the second degree. The Michigan State Police Fugitive Team and Southwest Michigan investigative personnel coordinated the arrest at Popps' residence.

Current Status

Popps is currently lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail awaiting extradition to Alaska to face the murder charges. The case represents a significant breakthrough for the Alaska State Troopers' Cold Case Investigation Unit.

The arrest highlights the ongoing commitment of law enforcement agencies to solving cold cases, even decades after the crimes occurred. With advances in forensic technology and investigative techniques, cases that once seemed unsolvable are now yielding answers for victims' families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was arrested in the 1993 Alaska cold case?

A: Christopher Popps, 54, of Battle Creek, Michigan, was arrested on July 16, 2026, in connection with the 1993 homicide of Patrick Orville Dearth in Alaska.

Q: How was the 33-year-old cold case solved?

A: Alaska State Troopers received an anonymous tip in January 2025. Investigators followed the tip to mile 47 of the Steese Highway in central Alaska, where they discovered human remains in a barrel. The tipster was later identified as Christopher Popps.

Q: What charges does Christopher Popps face?

A: A Fairbanks grand jury indicted Popps on two counts of second-degree murder. He is currently awaiting extradition from Michigan to Alaska to face prosecution.

Source: Battle Creek Enquirer