In a recent court ruling, a New Mexico resident has been convicted of first-degree murder following the death of a research scientist who had offered him accommodation in his home.

Daniel Hadders, aged 38, was found guilty by a jury on Tuesday for the murder of 46-year-old Christopher Fallen. Fallen, a leading scientist at Fourth State Communications in Cheyenne, Wyoming, was discovered deceased in his Albuquerque residence on February 6, 2024, by his colleagues. According to Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Fallen’s head was “wrapped in tape” with a belt “secured around his neck.”

The Albuquerque Police Department reports that Hadders encountered Fallen through a mutual friend, Andres Chavez. Chavez had formed a connection with Fallen via a dating app. While Fallen’s father knew Chavez as a “roommate,” Chavez disclosed to police that they were in a sexual relationship, and Fallen had allowed him to stay at his home to “get on his feet and look for a job.” Chavez last visited Fallen’s home on February 1, 2024.

Between February 2 and February 5, 2024, Chavez and Hadders exchanged messages through social media, texts, and phone calls. Among these was a photo depicting Fallen “sitting on his bed with his hands bound by a piece of clothing.” Detectives noted that “a shirt was placed over his eyes, obstructing his vision. His face and clothing were smeared with blood.” The authorities suspect this photo was taken on February 3, 2024.

Fallen’s absence from several work calls alarmed his coworkers, prompting them to visit his Albuquerque home on February 6, 2024. They forcibly entered the residence, discovering Fallen bound with duct tape. His head was also “wrapped in tape,” and a plastic bag with a belt was “secured around his neck.” The cause of death was ruled as asphyxiation.

Upon police arrival, they found the home had been burglarized, with Fallen’s car and multiple electronic devices missing. Additionally, legal documents bearing Hadders’s name were discovered at the scene.

On Feb. 6, 2024, police tracked down Fallen’s car to a Starbucks. Hadders was one of two people found inside the car, and both were detained by police. Inside the car, police found records, credit cards, “paperwork with Fallen’s email address and PIN numbers,” and keys that belonged to Fallen, as well as four cellphones and documentation with Chavez’s information.

Hadders told police that he knew Chavez, but said that he had bought the car. According to a criminal complaint obtained by the Albuquerque Journal, Hadders and Chavez were friends who lived on the street, and Fallen would allow both men to stay at his home.

Charges were filed against Chavez and Hadders, but Chavez fled to El Paso, Texas, where he was found dead of a drug overdose.

Hadders, however, went to trial on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, three counts of tampering with evidence, three counts of conspiracy to tamper with evidence, three counts of receiving stolen property, receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle, dealing in credit cards of another, and fraudulent use of a credit card.

On Tuesday, he was found guilty by a jury. Bregman said, “This was a calculated and horrific act of violence, and thanks to the tireless work of our prosecutors and investigators, the jury held the defendant accountable.”