A jury on Tuesday found 38-year-old Daniel Lee Hadders guilty of the 2024 killing of a research scientist whose body was discovered bound and bloodied inside his Northeast Albuquerque home. Hadders was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and multiple related charges in the death of 46-year-old Christopher Fallen, a respected researcher who specialized in studying the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
“This verdict is about justice for Christopher Fallen and the family and friends who loved him,” said Second Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman in a statement. “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.”
Hadders’ co-defendant, 30-year-old Andres Chavez, was found dead of a drug overdose in El Paso less than three months after Fallen’s death. Police believe the two men were friends who frequently lived on the streets but sometimes stayed with Fallen.
According to a criminal complaint, Chavez had met Fallen through a dating website. The two began a relationship, and Fallen eventually allowed Chavez to move into his home. Hadders, a friend of Chavez, later joined him there.
The grim discovery was made on February 6, 2024, when Fallen’s father and coworkers went to check on him after not hearing from him for several days. Inside his home, located on the 3500 block of Calle del Ranchero NE near Carlisle and Constitution, they found him bound with tape, a plastic bag over his head secured with a belt, and clear signs of a struggle.
An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Medical Investigator determined that Fallen had died from asphyxiation. The home appeared to have been ransacked, and several valuables, including Fallen’s car, were missing. Investigators quickly linked Hadders to the crime after discovering court documents bearing his name inside the residence.
Police later recovered evidence connecting both Hadders and Chavez to the scene. The case was prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Emilie Edmonds and Deputy District Attorney Christine Jablonsky of the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office. Hadders’ defense attorney, Mark Ramsey, did not respond to requests for comment following the verdict.
District Attorney Bregman commended the investigative team for their persistence in securing justice for Fallen and his loved ones. “This kind of senseless violence shakes the entire community,” he said. “But today’s verdict sends a message that those responsible will be held accountable.” Hadders now faces life imprisonment for the brutal killing. Sentencing is expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks.