Details emerge in double-murder arrest from nearly two years ago

ANCHORAGE— The Wasilla man accused of murdering his wife and a friend nearly two years ago, was arraigned in Anchorage Criminal District Court Wednesday. Bruce Floyd Dowd Butler, 42, remains jailed on $500,000 bail on two counts of first-degree murder for allegedly killing his wife, 42-year old Lynn Butler and 61-year old Richard Casler.

Casler and Lynn Butler’s bodies were discovered July 5, 2015 in a conex in a remote area of Denali Highway. The two had been camping during the Independence Day holiday and after failing to meet friends for a day of ATV riding or return back to camp, were reported missing on July 3.

A court affidavit filed by Alaska State Trooper David DeCoeur paints a gruesome crime scene and troubled past between the Butlers. Police became involved in the case after friends reported finding blood and “brains” on the ground outside the door of the camper Casler and Butler were staying in at mile 1.5 of Valdez Creek Mine Road.

Police reported the camper was registered to Casler and upon arrival, troopers found it empty. They also reported finding the evidence reported by campers. Police say there was also evidence that Casler’s guns were missing. Friends also discovered Casler’s abandoned pickup truck in the area with a large amount of blood in the pickup box. Investigators said a strong smell of gasoline permeated the bed and there wipe marks on the truck bumper.

Troopers discovered the bodies inside one of six conexes comprising a nearby camp. The affidavit states Butler was found on her back with a gunshot on her torso and that it appeared she had been dragged. Investigators also discovered a large injury to the backside of her hand. Casler was discovered under Butler. The affidavit said he had three gunshot wounds in the center of his stomach, which was bloated, and large wound on the top left side of his head—apparently caused by blunt-force trauma. Investigators reported Casler appeared to have a fractured skull and there was a strong gasoline odor inside and adjacent to the conex. The affidavit stated autopsy reports confirmed both were murdered.

According to state court documents, Butler has had a long string of court appearances. Included in the mix is everything from traffic violations to drug infractions to stalking and civil protective orders not involving the two deceased. Court documents revealed he filed for divorce from his estranged wife just over two months before her murder.

Police had contacted the accused multiple times only to be told he had nothing to do with the deaths. Investigators gathered more than 430 pieces of evidence from the three crime scenes but were not able to conclusively isolate any DNA profiles belonging to Bruce Butler. Police say even specialized laboratories used for further DNA analysis were unable to separate the multiple male DNA strands possibly due to contamination or the low amount of available DNA.

The affidavit stated that after the murders, but before he reported Lynn missing, Butler and several others had removed expensive property—including a large motor home from Lynn’s home as the contested divorce proceedings were still unresolved. Investigation led police to a Houston residence. When asked about vehicle, the property owner said he purchased it at a tax auction.

Obtaining a search warrant for cell phone records of both the property owner and the accused revealed the two had communicated around the time of the murders. During the investigation, police revealed a variety of violent episodes between the two Butlers, many which went unreported to law enforcement. A variety of interviewed witnesses reported Lynn suffered injuries from Bruce Butler as recently as three weeks before the time of her death to as much as a decade prior. Additionally, witnesses reported Bruce, as many as 20 times, allegedly threatened to kill Lynn if she ever left him. Pictures of injuries to Lynn, allegedly at the hands of Bruce, were provided to police by Lynn’s friends.

In late February of 2016, police interviewed a Houston man possessing the couple’s motor home while he was incarcerated on an unrelated charge. The man said he had purchased the vehicle at a tax auction and agreed to speak with troopers about the case. He told police that Bruce Butler had borrowed his pickup and returned it on July 3, 2015, cleaned inside and out, including vacuuming. The interviewee went on to say Butler had borrowed his vehicle before but never bothered to return it cleaned. Again, DNA samples from the borrowed truck proved inconclusive.

Earlier this month, an unnamed individual told police that after a stint of drinking, Butler commented he was involved in the murder but could not divulge how because he could be prosecuted. Further, the source said Butler had threatened an “alibi buddy” who had begun cooperating with law enforcement after violating probation conditions. The source told police his “alibi buddy” might “…end up hanging in a tree and that a .22 would be a cheap solution”. After obtaining a search warrant for Bruce Butler’s home, police found a variety of firearms, including a .22 caliber rifle.

Using police records, troopers were able to tie Bruce Butler to troubled relationship with a female new to the state. The source reported being struck by Butler at least twice during arguments and that he appeared suicidal.

“Butler is aware that he is the suspect in this ongoing murder investigation and may be a danger to himself (interviewed sources) or the public unless immediately arrested for his involvement (in the two murders),” DeCoeur stated in his affidavit which Palmer District Attorney Roman Kalytiak approved Tuesday.

Further court dates were not posted on the state’s CourtView website by Thursday’s press deadline.