Zarrius Hildabrand Receives 59-Year Sentence for the Murder of His Wife, Saria Hildabrand

(Anchorage, AK) – Judge Peter Ramgren recently sentenced Zarrius Hildabrand to 59 years after his conviction for Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Tampering with Evidence. The sentencing came after a June 2026 jury found him guilty of murdering Saria Hildabrand (Barney) in 2023.

The case revealed that Hildabrand shot Saria in the head following a night of drinking with her and friends to celebrate his 21st birthday. Evidence suggested that Saria confronted him about infidelity before the fatal incident. In the days following the murder, he bought cleaning supplies and discarded Saria’s body in a storm drain, covering it with gasoline, and filed a false missing persons report while participating in searches for her.

During the sentencing, Judge Ramgren emphasized the intentional nature of Hildabrand’s actions and his apparent lack of remorse. Family members of Saria spoke of her character and the profound impact her murder had on their family. Hildabrand was sentenced to 55 years for the murder, two consecutive two-year sentences for tampering with evidence, and has a total of 59 years to serve before becoming eligible for parole.