safety
Tipster charged with killing man who vanished over 30 years ago after giving anonymous tip to police
By Josiah Pike, Jordan Gartner at KGNS — Sitewide
· 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 Laredo News
The shocking case of a tipster being charged with murder after providing an anonymous tip to police has significant implications for public safety in our own community. While the crime itself occurred in Alaska, the fact that the suspect was able to provide detailed information about the location of the body raises questions about the potential for similar cases to go unsolved in our own area. In Laredo , where trust between law enforcement and the community is crucial, this case highlights the importance of effective communication and cooperation between authorities and the public. As our local law enforcement agencies continue to work to build relationships with residents, cases like this serve as a reminder that even the most seemingly unrelated crimes can have a ripple effect on our own community's safety and well-being. The Laredo community should be aware of the potential for cold cases to be solved through anonymous tips and the role that community members can play in bringing justice to victims and their families.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News 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 KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more Laredo News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
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 KGNS — Sitewide and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Josiah Pike, Jordan Gartner at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter