Wasilla man arrested in 2015 double murder

WASILLA — A 42-year-old Wasilla man has been charged in the suspected double murder of two Wasilla residents near mile 79 of the Denali Highway in 2015.

According to Alaska State Trooper (AST) dispatch, Bruce Floyd Dowd Butler was taken into custody at his Wasilla residence around noon Tuesday. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the July 2, 2015, deaths of 61-year old Richard A. Casler and 42-year old Lynn M. Butler. During the original investigation, police said both were camping in the remote area and were first called to investigate missing campers.

Investigating troopers found evidence suggesting an altercation involving gunfire associated with their vehicle and camper trailer. Alaska Bureau of Investigation personnel responded and took over the investigation. An extensive, two-day search involving AST aircraft and Wilderness Search and Rescue volunteers followed.

According to reports, on July 5, 2015, troopers heard noises coming from a dilapidated trailer in the area and found evidence outside associated with the missing couple, AST dispatch reported. The bodies were removed and taken to the State Medical Examiner's office in Anchorage where they were positively identified through an autopsy. The autopsies showed that both died as a result of gunshot wounds and led police to rule the shootings as a double homicide.