A former US Army soldier has been sentenced to 59 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Saria Barney Hildabrand, whom he fatally shot just hours after his 21st birthday celebrations. Zarrius Hildabrand, 24, was convicted of second-degree murder and evidence tampering in a case that involved him joining his wife's family in search efforts while knowing she was already dead.
Judge Peter Ramgren handed down the sentence, criticizing Hildabrand for his lack of remorse and for showing concern only for himself. The judge described Hildabrand's actions as abhorrent and intentional. The sentence includes 55 years for the murder conviction and an additional four years for evidence tampering, with a consecutive sentence of 25 years.
Hildabrand will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least two-thirds of his sentence. The soldier was assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.
The murder occurred on August 6, 2023, after Hildabrand and his wife returned from a night out. An argument ensued in their Anchorage apartment, leading to the shooting. During the trial, Hildabrand's defense attempted to argue that Saria had taken her own life, a claim contradicted by evidence presented.
Following the shooting, Hildabrand purchased cleaning supplies and disposed of his wife's body in a storm drain. He also filed a missing persons report and participated in the search for his wife, despite knowing her fate. He later admitted to purchasing a large garbage can to help move her body and used hydrogen peroxide to clean the mattress and surrounding area where the shooting occurred.
Saria Hildabrand died from a gunshot wound. Her body was discovered by emergency crews approximately five days after her death in a storm drain with about two feet of water. Prosecutors described Hildabrand's actions as a callous disposal of his wife's body and a perpetuation of a lie about her disappearance. He also used his wife's phone to message her colleagues to inform them she would not be coming to work, hours after her murder.