Montana Man Identified as Suspect in Teen Girl’s Cold Case Death Dies by Suicide After Interrogation

In a tragic turn of events, a man identified as the suspect in the 1996 murder of a Montana teenage girl took his own life shortly after being questioned by authorities.

Paul Hutchinson, 55, was named as the suspect in the killing of 15-year-old Danielle “Danni” Houchins. Hutchinson was identified through advanced DNA testing and forensic techniques that traced the evidence back to him.

Danielle Houchins disappeared on September 21, 1996, from her home in Belgrade, Montana. Her body was later discovered in shallow water near the Cameron Bridge Fishing Access point. Despite collecting DNA evidence and interviewing several suspects over the years, the case went cold until 2021. That year, private investigator Tom Elfmont was brought in to assist in the investigation.

In July 2024, Hutchinson was interviewed by Elfmont and Sergeant Court Depweg, a specialist in homicide cases using DNA technology. Hutchinson appeared nervous and uneasy during the interview. The following morning, Hutchinson reached out for help but was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Hutchinson had no prior criminal history and was a student at Montana State University at the time of the murder. Authorities believe the crime was a random encounter, describing it as a “crime of opportunity.”

Danielle Houchins’ family, including her younger sister Stephanie Mollet, expressed their grief and relief, noting that Hutchinson’s death means they will never get a chance to hear his account of the crime. Despite this, law enforcement remains committed to seeking justice and bringing closure to the case.