PRESTON – On December 2 the New York State Police arrested William D. Sabines Jr., 36 of Preston, after he was indicted by a Chenango County grand jury for second degree murder, a class A felony.

He is also charged with concealment of a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence, both class E felonies. 

Sabines was arrested following an investigation into the disappearance of Jesse L. Donlin, age 44 of Unadilla. 

According to a statement from the New York State Police on Friday, “Donlin was reported missing in September of 2019.  Investigators worked on the case investigating numerous tips into Donlin’s disappearance.  The investigation ultimately led to the discovery that Sabines is responsible for the death of Donlin.”

Sabines was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 bond. 

The investigation was a collaboration of troopers from SP Sidney, members of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Troop C Major Crimes, Troop C Forensic Identification Unit, Troop C Computer Crimes Unit, Troop C Underwater Recovery Team, New York State Police Canine Unit, New York State Police Counter Terrorism Unit, the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department, New York State Forest Rangers and the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office. 

Read more about the case in Monday's Evening Sun.