Detectives Uncover Complex Crime Scene
In January 2023, detectives Stephanie Winter and Devin Rigo of the Hillsboro, Oregon, Police Department faced an unprecedented crime scene. When the news hit, Natalie Morales asked the duo how they characterized the case. Detective Stephanie Winter described it as a ‘wild case,’ receiving an alert about a death at an Intel facility, known for its large production facilities outside Portland.
The Discovery
A man’s body was found in an Oregon parking garage. The deceased, Kenneth “Kenny” Fandrich, aged 56, was a contract pipe fitter at the plant. His wife, Tanya, reported him missing when he failed to return home, using phone tracking to locate him at the Intel parking lot.
OFFICER: He’s here in the garage somewhere.
Tanya discovered her husband’s death before police arrived, with body cameras capturing their arrival. Initially, Tanya seemed detached, leading Detective Dayanna Mesch to suspicion while understanding that grief manifests differently for everyone.
The Investigation
The crime scene did not seem violent as Kenny’s belongings were neatly arranged. Surveillance footage showed a masked man with glasses and a hard hat spraying cameras with blue paint around 7 a.m. that day. Initially undetected, the suspect had been caught previously painting cameras, creating suspicion of a premeditated act.
Suspected Stalker
Tanya revealed Kenny had a stalker, Dr. Steven Milner, her former boss. Milner, a millionaire veterinarian, was seemingly obsessed with Tanya, allegedly using tracking devices on Kenny’s car and harassing him overtly.
Trail of Evidence
Investigators dug deep into Milner’s activities, finding purchase records and surveillance data linking him to ‘burner cars’ used to stalk Kenny. After Kenny’s murder in January, investigators believed Milner staged Kenny’s death, having lured and killed him in a maroon minivan that later vanished.
Milner’s Arrest and Trial
Searching for evidence at Milner’s home exposed bizarre memorabilia and a shrine to Tanya. Although the crucial minivan was destroyed, forensic evidence and Milner’s DNA on Kenny’s hands reinforced the prosecution case.
Milner, maintaining he aimed to protect Tanya and was acting in self-defense, took the stand, causing the prosecution to question his narrative. Milner was ultimately found guilty of murder and stalking, receiving a life sentence with parole eligibility after 25 years.
Reflections on the Case
The tragic case underscores the gravity of stalking, with Kenny’s attempts at legally stopping Milner illustrating limitations within protective systems. Settlements followed Milner’s conviction, highlighting the financial and emotional repercussions.