He was the last to see Idaho man later found burned, buried. Now he faces murder charges

Authorities have arrested a man in the homicide case of 23-year-old Charles “Charlie” McBride.

Ben Savage, 36, was arrested at the Idaho Falls Airport on Saturday on a Custer County murder warrant, Custer County sheriff’s officials told EastIdahoNews.com. He is being held at the Bonneville County Jail.

Savage, who owns an excavation company, was the last person to see McBride alive. On Feb. 25, McBride left with Savage to go to work. He never returned.

Last week, McBride’s body was found burned and buried in a remote part of Custer County.

EastIdahoNews.com spoke with Savage last week about the death. Savage said he did not kill McBride and claimed McBride was on drugs when he picked him up for work that morning. He did not answer any other questions.

“He was high on meth. That’s all I can tell you right now. I’m working with the police right now. It’ll come out soon,” Savage said.

In a March 7 Facebook post, Custer County Sheriff Stu Lumpkin said Savage has “cooperated 100 percent.”

This story was originally published March 31, 2019 at 7:12 PM.