A 37-year-old man accused of killing his roommate in Alaska and later committing another homicide in Oregon has been found guilty of manslaughter, according to court proceedings in Fairbanks.
Alaska Jury Convicts Suspect in 2020 Disappearance
A jury in Fairbanks convicted Aaron Hague of manslaughter and evidence tampering in connection with the 2020 disappearance and death of his 61-year-old roommate, John McClelland. The victim’s body has never been recovered.
Prosecutors argued that Hague was responsible for McClelland’s death before fleeing Alaska to avoid investigation. Although Hague admitted during the trial that he caused McClelland’s death, he claimed it was an act of self-defense. Jurors rejected that argument and instead found him guilty of recklessly causing the death. He was acquitted of first-degree murder.
Sentencing in the Alaska case is scheduled for August 11.
Allegations of Identity Theft and Oregon Killing
Authorities allege that after the Alaska incident, Hague assumed the identity of another man, Anthony Alcorn, in an attempt to evade law enforcement. Investigators say Hague met Alcorn in Alaska and later convinced him to travel to Oregon under the pretense of a job opportunity.
Shortly after arriving in Oregon in March 2021, Alcorn was found dead near the Springwater Corridor in Gresham. An autopsy determined he died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Prosecutors believe Hague killed Alcorn and continued using his identity for personal gain. He has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the Oregon case, including first-degree murder and identity theft. A trial date has not yet been set.
Timeline of Events Leading to Arrest
Investigators revealed that Hague used McClelland’s phone and financial accounts after his disappearance, including making purchases and sending messages to mislead family members. Authorities began to suspect him early in the investigation.
After leaving Alaska, Hague reportedly traveled through Anchorage and Seattle before settling in the Portland area. He was eventually arrested in March 2021 after being identified by a transit employee who recognized him from a police bulletin.
Family Seeks Closure After Years of Uncertainty
Despite the manslaughter conviction, McClelland’s family expressed mixed emotions, noting that while they had hoped for a murder conviction, they are grateful for some level of accountability.
The victim’s daughter said the long legal process has been painful but acknowledged the efforts of investigators and prosecutors in pursuing justice.
What’s Next
Hague is expected to return to Oregon following his sentencing in Alaska, where he will face trial for the alleged killing of Alcorn. The outcome of that case could bring further clarity to a series of events that spanned multiple states and years.
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