US Army soldier Zarrius Hildabrand sentenced to 59 years in prison for murdering wife, dumping her in storm drain

A heinous US Army soldier who fatally shot his 21-year-old wife before joining her anguished family in search efforts despite knowing she was dead has been sentenced to 59 years in prison – and the killer was scolded for not showing concern for “anyone other than himself.”Zarrius Hildabrand, 24, was sentenced in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday for fatally shooting his wife of seven months Saria Barney Hildabrand, 21, and trying to cover up her death.Hildabrand, who was convicted in June, shot his wife just hours on from his 21st birthday celebrations in August 2023 after she accused him of being unfaithful — something he later admitted was true.He then bought cleaning products before stuffing her body in a storm drain, the Alaska Department of Law said.Hildabrand filed a missing persons report and even helped in the search efforts  – despite knowing she was dead – and during his murder trial, his lawyers tried to claim that Saria had taken her own life.The soldier, who served at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson where he was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division, was convicted of second-degree murder and evidence tampering – and Judge Peter Ramgren said the killer acted “intentionally,” describing his behavior as “abhorrent.”The judge noted Hildabrand showed an “apparent lack of remorse” in the aftermath of the killing and “never seemed to show concern for anyone other than himself.”Hildabrand will serve 59 years in prison – 55 of those years are for the second-degree murder conviction.He was given consecutive two year sentences for evidence tampering and an additional sentence of 25 years.Hildabrand will not be eligible for parole until he’s served at least two thirds of his sentence.The killer shot Saria dead in the early hours of Aug.6 2023 after they returned home from a night out with pals. The pair had spent time at a Dave & Buster’s venue and were planning on going to a nightclub – but Hildabrand wasn’t allowed to enter...