Anchorage Judge Sentences Soldier to 59 Years for Murder
A judge sentenced Zarrius Hildabrand to 59 years in prison for the 2023 murder of his wife, Saria Barney Hildabrand.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Violence
An Anchorage judge sentenced former soldier Zarrius Hildabrand to 59 years in prison for the murder of his 21-year-old wife. Hildabrand was convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of evidence tampering following his 2023 crime.
Why it matters
The sentence concludes a high-profile case involving the death of a young military spouse at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Prosecutors and the defense had proposed widely different sentencing lengths before the judge issued the final penalty.
Hildabrand received an 84-year total sentence with 25 years suspended and will be eligible for parole after 40 years. He is also required to serve 10 years of probation upon his release.
The players
Zarrius Hildabrand
The defendant is a former member of the 11th Airborne Division who received an other than honorable discharge from the U.S. Army.
Saria Barney Hildabrand
The victim was a 21-year-old woman who was killed by her husband in 2023.
The details
Hildabrand, who served with the 11th Airborne Division, shot his wife in the head and hid her body in a drainpipe. He attempted to conceal the crime for 30 hours by using the victim's phone to message friends and call in sick to work.
Timeline
Saria Barney Hildabrand was killed in 2023.
A jury convicted Hildabrand of his charges in June 2026.
Prosecutors filed a sentencing memorandum on October 13, 2026.
The defense attorney filed a sentencing memorandum on October 15, 2026.
The judge sentenced Hildabrand on October 23, 2026.
Legal Context
This case follows a pattern of intensified legal scrutiny regarding domestic violence cases involving active-duty military personnel. The judicial outcome highlights how civilian courts navigate cases occurring within proximity to facilities like Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
The sentencing brings resolution to a case that drew significant attention to public safety concerns regarding domestic violence in Anchorage. Residents may find closure knowing the legal process for this specific case has concluded.
The takeaway
The case highlights the severe legal consequences for those convicted of domestic homicide and evidence tampering. It also serves as a somber reminder of the importance of reporting domestic concerns immediately.
Further reading
Find more coverage on local criminal proceedings in our Violence section.
