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Arizona officials resolve 1987 murder of Navy veteran after suspect dies by suicide

DNA evidence linked suspect Gary Wayne Billups to the crime scene, but his death prevents formal charges.

Updated Sep 17, 2026 · 16:42 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • Cold case investigators linked Gary Wayne Billups to the 1987 killing of Navy veteran Orison James 'Jim' Chafin using DNA evidence collected from the scene.[CBS News · NBC News]
  • Billups submitted a DNA sample during a voluntary interview on June 19, 2026, but died by suicide five days later before the match was confirmed.[CBS News · NBC News]
  • Arizona authorities declared the homicide case officially closed, though no formal criminal charges could be filed due to the suspect's death.[CBS News · NBC News]

Key facts

  • Orison James 'Jim' Chafin was killed in Glendale in August 1987, and his body was found with his throat cut.[CBS News · NBC News]
  • Detectives collected male DNA profiles from items at the crime scene, but initial database searches yielded no matches.[CBS News · NBC News]
  • Reopening the cold case in 2025 led investigators to suspect Gary Wayne Billups, who had never been questioned during the original investigation.[CBS News · NBC News]
  • Billups voluntarily spoke with police on June 19, 2026, and provided a DNA sample before walking free.[NBC News]
  • Billups died by suicide on June 24, 2026, weeks before the DNA lab confirmed a match on August 6, 2026.[NBC News]
  • Both the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Glendale Police Department consider the case closed.[NBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • Reports conflict on whether Chafin was killed on August 7, 1987, or found dead on August 8, 1987.[CBS News · NBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.