Victim of Greenfield homicide identified by authorities

The victim in the homicide discovered Monday night in Greenfield has been identified as Christopher Hairston, 35, whose last known address was in Pittsfield.

Police discovered Hairston’s body after being called to a Chapman Street apartment to investigate a foul odor. Subsequently, a suspect in the homicide was identified as Taaniel Herberger-Brown, 42, a former tenant in the apartment where Hairston’s body was found.  

Later Monday night, after learning Herberger-Brown was in Albany, New York, Greenfield Police and detectives with the State Police Detective Unit attached to the Northwestern DA’s office traveled to the Albany International Airport to interview him.

He was detained overnight and Massachusetts State Police obtained an arrest warrant on single count of murder Tuesday morning. It is unclear when Herberger-Brown will be returned to Massachusetts for arraignment on the murder charge.

The official cause of death will be determined by The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The case remains under investigation by the Greenfield Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit attached to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, and the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section.

Criminal charges are based on probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.