1 of 1
Story summary
- Arizona authorities identified Gary Wayne Billups as the suspect in the 1987 murder of veteran Jim Chafin.
- Billups gave a DNA sample that matched beer-bottle and cigarette-butt evidence.
- Billups died by suicide five days after the interview, preventing criminal charges.
- DNA results confirming the match were released on Aug. 6, six weeks after his death.
- Attorney General Kris Mayes said the case is solved after 39 years, crediting DNA technology.