In a significant development, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office announced the resolution of a cold case that has haunted the community for nearly three decades. Danielle “Danni” Houchins, a 15-year-old from Belgrade, Montana, was tragically murdered in 1996.
Her body was discovered face down in shallow water near the Cameron Bridge Fishing Access on the Gallatin River after she was reported missing by her family.
A recent breakthrough in DNA technology led to the identification of 55-year-old Paul Hutchinson as the suspect. After being interviewed by investigators, Hutchinson tragically took his own life.
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The investigation revealed that Hutchinson and Houchins had no prior connection. Authorities believe it was a random encounter at the river, where Hutchinson tragically raped and suffocated her. Despite numerous interviews over the years, Hutchinson was never linked to the case until recent DNA advancements.
The breakthrough came after renewed efforts to solve the case in 2019, with the hiring of private investigator Tom Elfmont in 2021. Elfmont, alongside Sergeant Court Depweg of the Newport Beach Police Department, utilized advanced DNA technology to analyze preserved evidence, ultimately leading to Hutchinson’s identification.
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During an interview with investigators, Hutchinson displayed signs of extreme nervousness and discomfort.
“This case exemplifies our relentless pursuit of justice. We never gave up on finding the truth for Danni and her family, exhausting all means necessary to bring closure to this heartbreaking chapter,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer. “Our commitment to justice for victims and their loved ones is unwavering, and we will continue to use every resource at our disposal to solve these cases, no matter how much time has passed.”
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