safety
Tipster charged with killing man who vanished over 30 years ago after giving anonymous tip to police
By Josiah Pike, Jordan Gartner at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· 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 The Atlanta
The shocking case of a tipster charged with murder after providing an anonymous tip to police has implications for Atlanta 's own cold case investigations. While the crime itself occurred in Alaska, the fact that a suspect would come forward with information about a decades-old murder raises questions about the potential for similar breakthroughs in local cases. Atlanta's law enforcement agencies have seen success with anonymous tip lines and community engagement in solving crimes, and this case highlights the importance of maintaining these channels of communication. As the city continues to grapple with public safety concerns, the Alaska case serves as a reminder that even the coldest of cases can be reopened with new information, and that community tips can be a powerful tool in bringing justice to victims and their families. Atlanta residents can take note of the impact that one tip can have in solving a crime, and be encouraged to come forward with any information they may have about local cold cases.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta 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 .
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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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 Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Josiah Pike, Jordan Gartner at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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