Danielle "Danni" Houchins

📍 Location

📝 Description

Danielle “Danni” Houchins, a 15-year-old from Belgrade, Montana, disappeared on September 21, 1996 after leaving her home following a family argument. Her body was found later that day in a marshy area along the Gallatin River near Cameron Bridge Fishing Access, face-down and partially submerged. An autopsy showed evidence of sexual assault and foreign DNA, and the death was initially ruled as drowning with an undetermined manner. The case remained unsolved for decades until a 2021 re-examination and advances in DNA analysis and investigative genealogy led to Paul Hutchinson as a suspect in May 2024. Hutchinson, a former Montana State University student and employee, was interviewed by investigators in July 2024; hours after the interview, he died by suicide. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed the link to Hutchinson, effectively solving the case. Authorities described the crime as a random “crime of opportunity” with no prior connection between Hutchinson and Houchins. The case is now closed with Danni confirmed deceased and her killer deceased.

🔍 Circumstances

Danni left her Belgrade home around 11:00 a.m. on September 21, 1996, with family members later finding her truck at the Cameron Bridge Fishing Access on the Gallatin River. Her body was discovered several hours later in a marshy area under a willow tree. Initial findings suggested drowning and an undetermined manner, but later examinations revealed evidence of sexual assault and other injuries. The investigation was reopened in 2021, leading to DNA-led identification of a suspect in 2024. Hutchinson died by suicide the day after a police interview; DNA later confirmed his link to the evidence.

👤 Physical Description

Danni was a 15-year-old girl with long hair (described in reports as outdoorsy and active); she was in the vicinity wearing casual teen clothing. Reports note she had a knee brace on her left knee from a prior injury.

ℹ️ Additional Details

Evidence from the autopsy included bruising on the body and indications of sexual assault. Semen was found in undergarments and hairs on the body were analyzed. The case was revitalized in 2021, and genealogical DNA led investigators to Paul Hutchinson in 2024; Hutchinson died by suicide hours after a July 2024 interview. The case was publicly announced as solved by the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office. The investigation continues to explore any potential links to other victims or cases, though authorities have stated this was a crime of opportunity with no known prior relation between Hutchinson and Houchins.

🔗 Sources (7)

👥 Community Contributions

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