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The 1987 murder of 54-year-old veteran Orison James Chafin, known as Jim, has been officially resolved nearly 40 years after his body was discovered in a cemetery near Phoenix, Arizona. Chafin, a Korean War veteran residing in a Glendale trailer park, was found dead in August 1987 with a fatal throat wound. Witnesses at the time reported seeing a vehicle with its headlights on near the scene, which departed quickly upon their arrival.
Initial investigations in 1987 recovered DNA evidence from items including beer bottles and cigarette butts. However, the technology of the era was unable to link the samples to any suspects, and the case remained cold for decades. The investigation was reopened in 2025 after a witness identified Gary Wayne Billups, recalling an altercation between Billups and Chafin at a local establishment called the Critter Lounge.
When contacted by investigators, Billups initially denied knowing Chafin or living in Glendale at the time of the murder. Police records later contradicted these claims, placing Billups at the bar with Chafin and two other individuals on the night of the killing. Billups eventually provided a DNA sample to authorities. Forensic analysis confirmed a match between his DNA and the evidence recovered from the crime scene in 1987.
Before police could execute an arrest, 68-year-old Billups died by suicide. Authorities stated that the two other individuals present with Chafin and Billups on the night of the murder are also deceased, precluding further investigation into their potential involvement.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a statement acknowledging the resolution of the case. Mayes commended the Glendale investigators for preserving evidence for nearly four decades, noting that the persistence of law enforcement ensured that the victim, who served his country, was not forgotten.
