A man from New Mexico has been convicted of first-degree murder for the slaying of a research scientist who had offered him a place to stay.

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

The Albuquerque Police Department reported that Hadders was introduced to Fallen through a mutual friend, Andres Chavez. Chavez had developed a relationship with Fallen after meeting him via a dating app. Fallen’s father believed Chavez was merely a “roommate,” but Chavez revealed to the police that they had an intimate relationship and that Fallen allowed him to stay at the home while he sought employment. Chavez last visited Fallen’s residence on February 1, 2024, according to his statement to the police.

During the period from February 2 to February 5, 2024, Chavez and Hadders were in communication through social media, texts, and phone calls. This included an alarming photo showing Fallen “sitting on his bed with his hands bound by a piece of clothing.” Police investigators noted that “a shirt covered his eyes, obstructing his vision, and his face and clothing were stained with blood.” They suspect this photograph was taken on February 3, 2024.

Fallen’s absence from several work-related calls raised alarm among his coworkers, prompting them to visit his Albuquerque home on February 6, 2024. They forcibly entered the premises, discovering Fallen bound with duct tape. His head was encased in tape, and he had a plastic bag with a belt fastened around his neck. The cause of death was officially identified as asphyxiation.

Police arrived at Fallen’s home and found that it had been robbed, and Fallen’s car had been stolen along with several electronic devices. Legal paperwork was also found in the home that had Hadders’s name on it.

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.”