On September 29, 2020, the quiet serenity of the Turnagain Pass rest area in Hope, Alaska, was shattered by the discovery of a lifeless body. The victim, identified as 57-year-old Keith Huss, had met a violent end, his life tragically cut short by four gunshot wounds from a .45-caliber pistol and the brutal impact of a vehicle. This grim discovery triggered an immediate investigation by law enforcement, setting in motion a chain of events that would unravel a complex web of betrayal, theft, and ultimately, justice served.
The subsequent investigation revealed a disturbing connection between the victim and his killer. Huss had been acting as Sarah Dayan’s court-appointed third-party custodian, a role entrusted to him following her release on bail. This arrangement, designed to provide supervision and support, ironically placed Huss directly in the path of Dayan’s escalating criminal behavior. The last known sighting of Huss alive placed him picking up Dayan from jail, their intended destination being Anchorage, where Huss operated a food truck. This seemingly mundane errand would tragically prove to be his last.
The focus of the investigation quickly shifted to Dayan, now the prime suspect in Huss’s murder. A statewide manhunt ensued, culminating in her apprehension on October 1, 2020. As the investigation progressed, a series of damning pieces of evidence emerged, solidifying Dayan’s culpability. Authorities confirmed that she had acquired a .45-caliber pistol following her release from jail, the same caliber weapon used to end Huss’s life. Further examination of Dayan’s vehicle revealed damage consistent with it having been used to strike Huss, corroborating the initial findings at the crime scene.
The web of Dayan’s criminal activity extended beyond the murder of Keith Huss. Investigators uncovered a trail of financial exploitation, revealing that Dayan had used Huss’s bank account for personal purchases and had transferred substantial sums of money into her own account following his death. This callous act, committed in the wake of a brutal murder, further painted a picture of a desperate individual driven by self-interest and a complete disregard for human life. The investigation also linked Dayan to a string of vehicle thefts in Seward and the burglary of a cabin, demonstrating a pattern of criminal behavior that predated and continued after Huss’s murder.
The culmination of the investigation and the meticulous gathering of evidence led to Dayan’s trial, which concluded on December 23rd with a resounding guilty verdict. The jury found her guilty of both first- and second-degree murder, along with several other related crimes. This verdict, delivered after careful consideration of the evidence presented, brought a sense of closure to the family and friends of Keith Huss, who had endured the agonizing ordeal of his untimely death and the subsequent legal proceedings.
Tyler Jones, representing the Office of Special Prosecutions, expressed his satisfaction with the verdict, emphasizing the importance of holding Dayan accountable for her actions. He voiced hope that the conviction would bring some measure of peace and closure to Huss’s loved ones, who had suffered an immeasurable loss. With Dayan currently held without bail pending sentencing, she faces a potential prison sentence of 15 to 99 years, a stark reminder of the severity of her crimes and the enduring impact they have had on the lives of those affected by this tragic event. The case serves as a chilling reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the devastating consequences that can arise when trust is betrayed and criminal intent takes hold.
