Nearly 30 years after 15-year-old Danielle “Danni” Houchins was found dead near a fishing access site in Montana, authorities have identified her killer through DNA testing. The suspect, 55-year-old Paul Hutchinson, died by suicide just hours after being interviewed by investigators about the cold case.
Houchins went missing on September 21, 1996, when she left her home in Belgrade, Montana. Her body was later discovered in shallow water at the Gallatin River fishing access site. Despite collecting DNA evidence at the scene and interviewing multiple suspects over the years, no arrests were made, and the case went cold.
In 2021, Sheriff Dan Springer brought in outside experts from California to assist in solving the case. Private investigator Tom Elfmont and Sergeant Court Depweg used DNA technology to create a partial DNA profile from hairs found on Houchins’ body. This profile was sent to a lab in Virginia, where genealogists identified Hutchinson as a possible suspect.
After interviewing Hutchinson, who displayed nervous behavior, investigators found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities believe Hutchinson randomly encountered Houchins, raped her, and suffocated her in shallow water. Hutchinson, a student at Montana State University at the time, had no criminal history and worked for the Montana Bureau of Land Management for 22 years.
Sheriff Springer expressed the department’s commitment to seeking justice for Houchins and her family. Houchins’ sister, Stephanie Mollet, described Hutchinson’s actions as a violent assault that led to her sister’s death. Despite Hutchinson’s suicide, Mollet believes he was guilty and chose to evade accountability.
This case in Montana follows a similar pattern of solving cold cases through DNA testing, as seen recently in Hawaii. The use of genetic genealogy and advanced DNA technology is proving to be a crucial tool in solving long-standing cases and bringing closure to families affected by these tragedies. The relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement agencies is a testament to their dedication in solving these cases, no matter how much time has passed.
The tragic end of the suspect in this case highlights the impact of DNA testing in bringing answers to unsolved crimes, even if the perpetrators are no longer alive to face justice. The advancements in forensic technology continue to evolve, offering hope for closure to families of victims who have been waiting for answers for decades. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement, genealogists, and forensic experts are essential in unraveling the mysteries of cold cases and ensuring that victims like Danni Houchins receive the justice they deserve.
