Additional Coverage:
- Cops finally crack mystery of Montana 15-year-old’s 1996 murder. But hours after he’s grilled, her killer turns up dead (newsbreak.com)
After nearly 30 years since a teenager from Montana was discovered dead in a river, DNA evidence has at last pointed to her killer—a man who took his own life just hours after being questioned by law enforcement.
Danielle “Danni” Houchins, then 15, went missing after leaving her Belgrade home on the morning of September 21, 1996. Her anxious mother later found her daughter’s truck parked at the Cameron Bridge Fishing Access on the Gallatin River. That same evening, Houchins was found submerged in shallow water at the site, having been sexually assaulted and suffocated.
Although DNA samples were collected and interviews conducted, no immediate arrests ensued, and the case went cold. The investigation was revitalized in 2021 by newly-appointed Sheriff Dan Springer.
A crucial development occurred last month when genealogists utilized DNA from four hairs found on Houchins at the scene to create a genetic profile. This led them to identify Paul Hutchinson, a 55-year-old resident of Dillon, Montana, as a potential suspect.
Hutchinson, a father of two, had been a student at Montana State University at the time of the murder. He later worked for 22 years at the Montana Bureau of Land Management. On July 23, 2024, during a nearly two-hour interview, Hutchinson exhibited noticeable nervous behavior, according to the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.
He displayed distress when shown a photo of Houchins, and his behavior grew increasingly erratic upon release. The following morning, Hutchinson was found deceased by the roadside from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He had no prior criminal record and left behind a wife and two adult children.
At a news conference, Houchins’ sister, Stephanie Mollet, expressed her conviction that Hutchinson was responsible for the brutal murder of her sister. She remarked on his inability to confront his actions and the anguish he caused both families.
Investigators noted that the murder appeared to be a crime of opportunity, with Houchins and Hutchinson likely having met by chance at the river with no prior acquaintance.
Sheriff Dan Springer emphasized the dedication to justice and closure for Danni’s family, highlighting the persistence of the investigation until the necessary tools were available to resolve it.