Safety video helps lead Oregon detectives to a masked killer who tried to cover the crime

Detectives Stephanie Winter and Devin Rigo of the Hillsboro, Oregon, Police Division had by no means encountered a criminal offense scene just like the one they encountered in January 2023. 

Natalie Morales: How would you two characterize this case while you first obtained it? What did you assume? 

Det. Stephanie Winter: , I simply thought that it is a wild case.

Det. Stephanie Winter: It was within the night … after 9.

Det. Devin Rigo: So all of us obtained a web page on our division cell telephones saying that there was … demise at Intel.

Intel, the large tech firm recognized for its progressive laptop chips, had a number of giant manufacturing services in Hillsboro, exterior of Portland. 

Det. Stephanie Winter: It did not make sense. … He appeared like he had handed peacefully. … there was minimal blood throughout the automobile. 

POLICE FIND A DEAD BODY INSIDE AN OREGON PARKING GARAGE

The deceased was Kenneth “Kenny” Fandrich, age 56, a contract pipe fitter on the plant. His spouse, Tanya, had reported him lacking when he was late getting residence. Like many {couples}, they shared their areas on their telephones. Tanya tracked him to the Intel parking zone. 

TANYA FANDRICH (police bodycam video): What’s mistaken? 

OFFICER: We — we’re unsure proper now.

She was already there on the storage when police arrived with physique cameras rolling.

OFFICER (police bodycam video): So, we’ll have the fireplace — we’re gonna have the medics — 

TANYA FANDRICH: The place is he? …

OFFICER: He is right here within the storage someplace … 

A short while later, she realized that her husband was lifeless.

The Hillsboro Police Cell Command Heart was stationed on the scene, and that was the place detectives first talked to Tanya. 

Natalie Morales (Contained in the Cell Command Heart): That evening, you — you introduced Tanya Fandrich, proper in right here … What did she seem to be to you?

Det. Dayanna Mesch: She was very monotone … in the best way she was talking.

Detective Dayanna Mesch was first to interview Tanya Fandrich.

Det. Dayana Mesh: She appeared very out of her physique. Like she did not react as —

Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm.

Det. Dayanna Mesch: — as a lot as you’d assume any person would … however I needed to type of pull quite a lot of the solutions out of her.

Mesch realized extra about why Tanya had been on the scene.

Det. Dayanna Mesch: She advised me that that they had some points prior to now with their marriage … now … they’d test in on one another extra usually. …

Natalie Morales: Do alarm bells form of go off right here?

Det. Dayanna Mesch: Yeah. There was some suspicion … we all the time have a look at the folks closest to the deceased.

However Mesch knew higher than to attract conclusions instantly.

Det. Dayanna Mesch: All people grieves otherwise … it simply was completely different than different victims I’ve seen … 

There was loads to course of for Tanya and investigators. The scene didn’t seem violent.

Det. Stephanie Winter: His lunch bag … his lunch, his keys, his cellphone, all set neatly subsequent to him within the passenger seat.

Det. Stephanie Winter: My first thought was, how are we going to determine this out? 

Their first clues would come from these surveillance cameras. 

Det. Devin Rigo (watching safety video): So he’ll pop up proper right here, uh, subsequent to that column that we’re seeing proper right here within the — within the nook. Simply kinda waits for a digital camera after which simply pops up.

The detectives found a person carrying a tough hat and red-mirror tinted glasses had truly spray painted these cameras round 7 a.m. earlier that very same day — his actions undetected by Intel safety. 

Det. Devin Rigo: I wanna say about six or seven cameras.

However there have been additionally cameras that had not been sprayed. And investigators locked in on pictures of a car they believed belonged to the suspect.

Det. Devin Rigo: We’re early afternoon now, after which we see this maroon van come within the parking storage. And no entrance plate on the automobile.

It was an older, maroon-colored Dodge van. They tracked the van’s motion’s digital camera by digital camera earlier than it disappeared. Underneath a layer of blue spray paint, moments later they may simply make out the van pulling right into a parking spot. 

Det. Devin Rigo (watching safety video): So proper right here, you’ll be able to see that the van is that this shadow proper in right here. 

Natalie Morales: OK, proper. 

Det. Devin Rigo: After which, this car proper right here is definitely Kenneth Fandrich’s black Honda Civic.

It was 3:21 p.m., simply after Kenny had completed his shift.

He’s seen on video strolling again via the storage. After which… very arduous to see… behind the blue spray paint.

Det. Devin Rigo (watching surveillance video): You possibly can see somewhat little bit of motion proper right here — 

Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm. 

Det. Devin Rigo: — within the — within the factor. And that’s Kenneth strolling again to his automobile. 

Det. Devin Rigo: You simply type of have to observe the — type of shadows primarily what is going on on —  

Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm. 

Det. Devin Rigo: — between the 2 autos.

Det. Devin Rigo: — you begin seeing the headlights flash a pair instances like, you understand … any person be unlocking their automobile.

Detectives say the headlights on Kenny’s Honda flashed as he unlocked his automobile along with his key fob. That is once they imagine the masked man grabbed Fandrich, nonetheless holding onto his keys. 

Det. Devin Rigo  (watching safety video):  You see quite a lot of motion taking place unexpectedly. 

Natalie Morales: You then see quite a lot of lights. 

Det. Devin Rigo: Quite a lot of lights.

Detectives say that is Kenny desperately pushing his key fob because the masked man dragged him into that maroon van.

Natalie Morales: What do you assume that is what is going on on in there throughout that while you see these lights flashing? 

Det. Devin Rigo: We predict … that is when the particular person within the van is murdering Kenneth.

Detectives say Kenny was killed inside that maroon Dodge van earlier than the killer staged Kenny’s physique in his black Honda.

That meant the van itself could be a essential piece of proof – the precise homicide scene.

Det. Devin Rigo: There might have been … clothes … and who is aware of … what … else in that minivan. 

However discovering the van could be a problem. They could not see the license plates or the motive force. 

The outcomes of the post-mortem would reveal – Kenny Fandrich had died from “blunt and compressive trauma of the neck.”

His neck had been damaged. However who would need to kill Kenny Fandrich?

Det. Devin Rigo: It was actually … initially like this massive whodunit for us, an enormous thriller.

A thriller they hoped is likely to be solved when Intel safety workers advised investigators about one other incident — further video pictures from the storage recorded a month earlier.

Det. Devin Rigo: … we realized that, hey, FYI, we — a few month prior, we reported our cameras being spray painted as effectively.

That incident was investigated — a prison  mischief name — however they by no means found out who it was. 

Det. Devin Rigo:  … it was a person wearing a — 

Det. Stephanie Winter: A building — 

Det. Devin Rigo:  — building helmet, black glasses, a masks. And we’re like, effectively, that is a clue. 

Investigators have been one hundred pc sure it was the identical particular person, carrying completely different glasses, and so they say these new pictures revealed an uncommon clue.

Det. Stephanie Winter: We had this — this distinctive brow crease that we might see on this photograph. 

Natalie Morales: That little little bit of brow that you just see. 

Det. Stephanie Winter: Simply the little little bit of brow. That is — that is what we obtained. 

Natalie Morales: That is a really odd clue proper there 

Det. Stephanie Winter: It’s … However for us it was an enormous — an enormous deal. 

And the detectives had one different “massive deal” — one thing Tanya Fandrich advised them the evening her husband died. 

OFFICER (police bodycam video) Has he — has he been having any points currently? 

TANYA FANDRICH: No, however he has a stalker. 

A stalker — who had been harassing her husband. And she or he had proof: a video from their very own residence safety digital camera.

Det. Devin Rigo: You truly see the particular person … kinda crawl and transfer round a bit beneath the — the trailer proper there.

WHO WAS STALKING KENNY FANDRICH?  

Within the early hours of the investigation into the homicide of Kenny Fandrich, his spouse Tanya advised detectives her husband had a stalker — seen on the couple’s residence safety cameras within the carport of their residence in Oregon Metropolis, Oregon. 

Devin Rigo: This is …some form of like utility trailer proper right here. … And you will discover proper below the trailer — you truly see the particular person … kinda crawl and transfer round a bit beneath … the trailer proper there.

Tanya advised detectives the stalker was her previous boss, Dr. Steven Milner. Milner was a well-to-do veterinarian, value hundreds of thousands. She had labored with him in his clinic as a vet tech. 

Buddies Cheryl Choquette and Darlyn Robinson have been longtime purchasers of the vet.

Natalie Morales: What was he like — 

Darlyn Robinson: He was —

Natalie Morales: — as a vet? 

Darlyn Robinson: — he was great. He was very compassionate, caring, variety.

Cheryl Choquette: He was an excellent vet.

Choquette even took half in a video Milner made for his clinic, which had aired on the native information.

Natalie Morales: The type of vet that get — will get down on the degree of the canine? Like on the ground with them? 

Cheryl Choquette: Positively on the ground.

And each Choquette and Robinson knew Tanya — no less than by sight.

Darlyn Robinson: She was there for, I believe 19 years and … she was the one who would come out and get us to take us again to the room and type of do the consumption on the animals.

Cheryl Choquette: Only a candy, good woman, very, you understand, type of quiet … however tremendous pleasant and really caring.

Detectives quickly realized a few sophisticated relationship between Tanya and Milner. Tanya advised investigators she and Milner had as soon as had an affair — it started in early 2017. On the time, Milner was separated, and Tanya mentioned her relationship with Kenny hit a tough patch.

Natalie Morales: Did you discover any interactions between her and Dr. Milner?

Cheryl Choquette: Simply utterly skilled. … It was simply, you understand, he is available in, she goes out of the room.

Natalie Morales: He was the boss?

Cheryl Choquette: Mm-hmm. Yeah. 

However Robinson thought she seen one thing.

Darlyn Robinson: There got here a degree the place my mind simply type of went, I ponder if there’s, you understand, one thing happening, trigger …. simply seems to be they’d give one another. 

Milner and Tanya tried to maintain their affair quiet, say investigators. Milner even gave her a secret identify: Kiki.

Mahalee Streblow: One of many nicknames … was Kiki Essex.

Prosecutor Mahalee Streblow labored on the case.

Mahalee Streblow: It is a kind of, that is like … you understand, the identify of your first pet after which the road that … you grew up on. 

However the couple’s affair was uncovered after just a few months in July 2017, once they attended a marriage collectively. Prosecutor John Gerhard.

John Gerhard: There have been workers from the veterinary clinic that have been there.

Mahalee Streblow: She was below the impression that Kenneth was out of city for work.

John Gerhard: Tanya indicated that that they had each been consuming and that they have been partaking in additional bodily intimacy in entrance of the staff throughout that marriage ceremony.

Because the evening ended, Tanya went residence with Milner.

Mahalee Streblow: Lo and behold, Kenneth was not out of city for work.

When Tanya did not return residence that evening, Kenny went to Milner’s home.

Mahalee Streblow: And that is how they obtained caught.

Det. Devin Rigo: Kenny did not confront or make an enormous scene on the home. He type of left the home after which began calling, um … to attempt to determine what is going on on. 

In accordance with Tanya, she ended the affair quickly after they have been caught.

Det. Devin Rigo: After that … the connection with Tanya and Steve Milner type of stopped — 

And that is when Kenny Fandrich mentioned Dr. Milner began harassing him. 

Michael Fuller: When Kenny got here to me, he was terrified. 

Michael Fuller was Kenny’s lawyer. 

Michael Fuller: This stalking situation had principally consumed his life. 

Fuller says Milner began with harassing calls, then escalated from there.

Michael Fuller: Milner actually coming onto his property in the midst of the evening … following him, to work, threatening him, these kind of issues. 

Tanya finally left Milner’s clinic. However Milner continued to trace Kenny. Detectives discovered loads of proof of precisely how he did it.

Det. Devin Rigo ( proof with Morales): Tanya truly offered this to us. … and this is among the precise monitoring units that Steven Milner had positioned on considered one of their autos.

Natalie Morales:  — is that this the system there?

Stephanie Winter: So this — so that is the system.

Natalie Morales: Uh-huh.

Stephanie Winter: We imagine this to be the battery pack. And what that they had finished and put it on this case with the magnets –

Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm.

Stephanie Winter: — after which put it up beneath their car.

In August 2019, roughly two years after Tanya mentioned she ended the affair, Kenny utilized for an order of safety in opposition to Milner. However detectives would be taught the harassment continued – and the vet’s infatuation with Tanya deepened. 

Stephanie Winter: He wished Tanya, and he wasn’t going to cease.

THE VETERINARIAN’S OBSESSION

Inside days of Kenny Fandrich’s demise, investigators set their sights on a suspect: veterinarian Dr. Steven Milner. Detectives realized he was obsessive about Tanya.

There have been love notes.

John Gerhard (studying letter aloud): One in every of them was: “the one absolute rock, stable reality is that I like you. I’ve by no means cherished anybody that method. … I’m consumed by your soul.”

He wrote letters like that for years even after Tanya had mentioned the affair was over.

Detectives additionally realized extra about Tanya’s relationship together with her husband Kenny.

Det. Stephanie Winter: It was a tumultuous relationship. … Alcohol got here into play between them. … they have been usually, you understand, as you’ll be able to say, cold and hot … They argued loads.

Kenny had been charged with home violence years earlier than however the expenses weren’t pursued, and the couple reconciled. Then, in August 2021 — years after Tanya says she ended the affair with Milner — the couple had one other struggle; this time she was arrested.

The following day, one thing shocking occurred.

Det. Devin Rigo: Someone posted her bail. She had $25,000 bail … when she leaves the jail, Steven Milner is within the parking zone ready for her.

Tanya advised investigators she ended up staying with the physician for a few days earlier than returning to Kenny. She insisted nothing romantic occurred. Milner was simply serving to her out as a good friend.

Det. Devin Rigo: To this present day … none of us can work out how Steven Milner truly discovered she had been arrested that evening.

That case was later dismissed and the couple reunited once more. However Milner’s marketing campaign of harassment continued.

Natalie Morales: What do you assume his finish objective was … what did he assume he might do — finish their marriage after which find yourself fortunately ever after —  

Det. Stephanie Winter: Precisely.

Natalie Morales:  — with Tanya?

Det. Devin Rigo: Yeah.

Det. Stephanie Winter: Precisely. … He wished Kenneth out of the image. So, he could possibly be that white knight to avoid wasting Tanya.

In March 2022, simply ten months earlier than Kenny’s homicide, Milner adopted Kenny from Oregon Metropolis all the best way to Hillsboro — a 45-minute drive.

Kenny noticed him and known as police. Milner was pulled over as physique cameras captured the interplay.

OFFICER EDWARDS (police bodycam video): Hello, Officer Edwards, Hillsboro police. … Are you aware why we’re stopping you at this time?

DR. STEVE MILNER: Yeah. I am making an attempt to come up with this man that — I am following him.

The responding officer realized from dispatch that there was historical past between the 2 males.

OFFICER (police bodycam video): What’s your function in the entire thing?

DR. STEVE MILNER: Uh, she has been a good friend of mine for 20 years. 

Milner advised police he believed Tanya was at risk as a result of she had allegedly advised him Kenny was abusive. 

DR. STEVE MILNER (police bodycam video):  I am the one one who provides a sh** and I am not allowed to provide a sh** …

OFFICER: So this is my recommendation to you, OK? And that is very, very sturdy recommendation. Depart them alone. He desires nothing to do with you. She desires nothing to do with you. … For those who present up at their home, in case you contact them, something like that, you are gonna go to jail.

After that visitors cease, Kenny filed for a brand new order for cover. The unique one had expired years earlier.

Michael Fuller: Kenny was completely in — in worry of his life.

And two weeks later, he was so stressed, he advised police he crashed his automobile.

KENNETH FANDRICH (police bodycam video): … my spouse and I’ve been preventing at this time —

OFFICER: Sorry.

KENNETH FANDRICH:  — and um, I assumed she was at her boss’s home, the place I’ve caught her dishonest on me.

OFFICE: I am sorry.

KENNETH FANDRICH: And I used to be driving over there, and he is similar to proper down at street and, I misplaced management on my automobile. I simply –

Kenny’s lawyer says his shopper had each purpose to be stressed.

Michael Fuller: Kenny advised me that Milner … mentioned, “Hey, I am a veterinarian. I’ve finished surgical procedures and I’ve the instruments to cut you up into little items.” 

In August 2022, after Kenny discovered one other monitoring system below his automobile, Milner was criminally charged and was awaiting trial.

Michael Fuller: It was fairly clear to me that Milner was not in his proper thoughts. 

Only a month later, Kenny filed a civil go well with in search of lots of of 1000’s of {dollars} for invasion of privateness and infliction of emotional misery — allegedly introduced on by Milner’s stalking, harassment, and trespass.

5 months later Kenny Fandrich was lifeless.

Simply days after the homicide, detectives have been satisfied that Steven Milner was that man behind the masks, however they wanted extra proof.

Det. Devin Rigo: We have to get eyes on Steven Milner as a result of we all know there was some form of violent confrontation. We need to see if he had any accidents.

Not eager to tip him off – investigators requested him to come back in for a test in concerning the stalking case.

Det. Devin Rigo: So, we organized a gathering for Steven to come back in to signal some paperwork. … Detective Winter was inside at a reception desk.

Natalie Morales: And your objective sitting there on the receptionist desk — form of as an undercover, proper?

Det. Stephanie Winter: I wished to see if he had any harm to himself. … He walks in. He seems to be extraordinarily nervous.

One other particular person within the workplace seen one thing. 

Det. Stephanie Winter: She says, “Hey, he has obtained make-up on his face.” 

Make-up, investigators say, Milner used to cowl up a scratch on his nostril.

Natalie Morales: Bingo. You are pondering we obtained our man?

Det. Stephanie Winter: I — I — yep. At that time, I assumed, that is him. That is our man that — that did this.

Moments later, after Milner walked out the door —

DEPUTY DAVIS (police bodycam video):  Hello sir, I am Deputy Davis, the Sheriff’s Workplace. We’re being recorded by my digital camera. So, all the things goes to be audio and visually recorded. … Do you perceive that?

DR. STEVE MILNER: Sure.

DEPUTY DAVIS: OK, sounds good. … Proper now, you are being detained.

On Jan. 31, 2023, 4 days after Kenny Fandrich was discovered lifeless, Steven Milner was taken into custody. Inside days, Milner was charged with second-degree homicide and stalking. 

With Milner in custody, Rigo and Winter have been shortly capable of join one essential clue from these surveillance digital camera pictures: that uncommon crease within the masked man’s brow.

Det. Stephanie Winter: There’s that very outstanding brow crease that I do not — he could not disguise if he tried.

Natalie Morales: There is no such thing as a quantity of make-up hiding that crease.

Det. Stephanie Winter: No. 

Natalie Morales: Do you’re feeling at this level such as you’ve obtained like a reasonably stable case?

Det. Devin Rigo: We had quite a lot of circumstantial items, like placing the puzzle collectively, however we’re simply on the tip of the iceberg of what we nonetheless want to search out out.

Extra puzzle items could be present in Milner’s home.

CONNECTING THE PUZZLE PIECES

Det. Stephanie Winter: It was stunning that any person this profitable … a physician … now suspect in a homicide. 

With Dr. Steven Milner now in police custody, Hillsboro Detectives Stephanie Winter and Devin Rigo got down to discover proof that might show Milner was on the scene when Kenny Fandrich was murdered.

Det. Devin Rigo: So, as quickly as he’s arrested … We’re getting search warrants for his DNA to be taken … we’re getting search warrants for his home as effectively.

And detectives weren’t fairly ready for what they discovered at his residence.

Det. Stephanie Winter: We discovered a cardboard cutout behind a mirror of Steven Milner’s face positioned on a really oiled, masculine man with a canine paw tattoo over his coronary heart.

Natalie Morales: Very odd memorabilia — to have in your bed room.

Det. Devin Rigo: Sure.

Det. Stephanie Winter: I might say so. 

And there was extra.

Det. Devin Rigo: Within the nightstand, in Steven’s main bedroom, is a bunch of things that we type of discuss with as a shrine to Tanya. There was a framed image of Tanya. There have been love notes … there have been ladies’s underwear … similar to very like private keepsakes from, what — their relationship collectively.

Natalie Morales: That is extra than simply amassing just a few love notes and playing cards. …

Det. Devin Rigo: Particularly from … somebody who hadn’t been in a relationship with you for a number of years right now interval.

To construct their case, investigators wanted to attach the maroon-colored minivan — seen within the Intel parking storage parked subsequent to Kenny’s automobile — to Milner. However so far as investigators might decide, Milner often drove the white Toyota SUV he’d been in when he was arrested. 

Det. Devin Rigo: initially, we did not know what proof this automobile might present us.

So, they ordered an FBI forensic evaluation of the SUV’s laptop, hoping it would present some clues about Milner’s actions earlier than and after Kenny’s homicide.

Det. Devin Rigo (exhibiting Milner’s SUV to Morales): So primarily … the pc that is within the automobile retains quite a lot of data.

Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm.

Det. Devin Rigo: And fortunately a kind of issues is like GPS knowledge factors …

Natalie Morales: The place was that bit of data? … is that a pc that is pulled out on prime there?

Det. Stephanie Winter: Yeah. In order that’s a part of the entrance sprint … After which, it was simply … somewhat … motherboard kind factor that had a chip in it.

Inside weeks, they obtained a name from their digital knowledgeable.

Det. Devin Rigo: She … mentioned, you guys want to take a look at the Dwelling Depot in Oregon Metropolis …  He is there loads the day of the homicide.

A Dwelling Depot simply quarter-hour down the street from Milner’s home.

Natalie Morales (within the Dwelling Depot parking zone with detectives): How central did this place grow to be in the direction of a piecing collectively the proof that you just had?

Det. Devin Rigo: Like this was primarily like middle stage of the investigation.

The detectives requested Dwelling Depot safety personnel if there had been suspicious exercise within the lot lately. Amazingly, they mentioned sure: two automobiles — a maroon minivan and a blue sedan — had been flagged for parking there for lengthy intervals of time with solely short-term, paper license plates. 

Det. Devin Rigo: And we realized that there had been quite a lot of calls created prior to now couple months with a suspicious … blue automobile and … maroon minivan. 

For the second time in a matter of weeks, parking zone safety cameras and the pictures they recorded, would supply investigators with key clues. In a clip  from Jan. 27, 2023 – the day of Kenny’s homicide – detectives say you’ll be able to see Milner’s white SUV pull up and park. Inside minutes, the motive force – believed to be Steven Milner – will get into the maroon minivan. One other digital camera then captured the minivan exiting the parking zone.

Natalie Morales: So, what was he doing with the automobiles?

Det. Devin Rigo: So primarily this was like his staging location. So, he would drive his private automobile right here after which both decide up the blue sedan or the maroon minivan after which drive that out to Hillsboro. …

Natalie Morales: What do you name them?

Det. Devin Rigo: Burner automobiles.

Natalie Morales: Burner automobiles.

Det. Devin Rigo: Yeah. … everyone type of is extra conversant in like a burner cellphone … the place you might have a cellphone that is not … traced to you however, you understand, you should utilize it for what you want, eliminate it. … Basically, he did the identical factor, however with a automobile.

Investigators believed Milner could have been utilizing these burner automobiles to secretly observe Kenny to work — even after legislation enforcement had advised him to cease.

In addition they realized Dwelling Depot safety cameras had pictures of the motive force of these automobiles procuring within the retailer a few month earlier than Kenny was murdered.

Det. Stephanie Winter: he parked proper in entrance of Dwelling Depot …

Det. Devin Rigo: He went in and … we noticed him come to the self-checkout space … and he had purchased a pair of like security glasses. …

Natalie Morales: Was … his face seen in that surveillance?

Det. Stephanie Winter: It was.

Det. Devin Rigo: Oh yeah …

 There was little doubt — it was Steven Milner. And people glasses he purchased? Detectives say you’ll be able to see them in his proper hand as he exited the shop. The receipt mentioned that they had a “purple mirror” tint. Winter had an concept.

Det. Stephanie Winter: We simply occurred to be sitting close to one of many aisles and I used to be like, I’ll go see the place they promote … the glasses … After which a pair bins down was … a yellow arduous hat that appeared similar to the one … that he was carrying in the entire Intel storage surveillance.

The detectives have been satisfied this was the place Milner had gotten his disguise to kill Kenny.

Natalie Morales: You will have all of this, however you have been lacking one massive piece of proof. What was it?

Det. Devin Rigo: We have been, at this level, nonetheless lacking … the maroon minivan. …

Natalie Morales: Why is the minivan so essential?

Det. Devin Rigo: As a result of it is the minivan that we imagine was actually our most important crime scene. … we thought there was going to be forensic proof … in that minivan. So, we actually wished to get that minivan to assist actually put the icing on …  this case.

Rigo was laser targeted on monitoring down that maroon minivan and he obtained an extremely fortunate break. When these suspicious burner automobiles had been flagged, the VIN quantity was additionally recorded. Rigo searched it and discovered that van had been discovered deserted only a few days after the homicide.

Det. Devin Rigo: The freeway folks, had … towed it off the aspect of the I-5 in north Portland.

Natalie Morales: It had been dumped then.

Det. Devin Rigo: It had been dumped there. … So, I known as the tow firm, “Hey, do you might have this automobile?” “No, sorry … We offered it to a scrap metallic firm.”

Rigo knew the clock was ticking to retrieve what he believed was the crime scene and the entire key proof it held.

Det. Devin Rigo: So, me and one other detective drive as fast as we will to north Portland.

However they have been too late. When he requested concerning the minivan, the scrapyard confirmed Rigo a video of the maroon minivan police imagine Milner drove to the Intel storage to kill Kenny simply moments earlier than it was pulverized by the metallic jaws of the scrapyard claw.

Det. Devin Rigo: I used to be capable of watch considered one of my key items of proof be crushed and brought away.

Natalie Morales: Earlier than your very eyes.

Det. Devin Rigo: Earlier than my very eyes — 

Natalie Morales: Oh my gosh.

Det. Devin Rigo: — precisely per week too late.

DOCTOR MILNER ON TRIAL

On Jan. 13, 2025, Steven Milner went on trial — charged with stalking and murdering Kenny Fandrich. Washington County prosecutors John Gerhard and Mahalee Streblow knew they confronted a problem with out that maroon minivan, the place they imagine Steven Milner murdered Kenny.

John Gerhard: All of the proof that was contained in the van was misplaced with it. … the largest disappointment for us is there was doubtless quite a lot of forensic proof …

However prosecutors had some forensic proof they are saying put Steven Milner on the scene: DNA from swabs taken of Kenny Fandrich’s arms.

Det. Devin Rigo: I bear in mind getting an electronic mail of the outcomes and instantly opening it and being like, “Oh my gosh, that is it.” … Steven Milner’s DNA was on Kenneth Fandrich’s arms. …

Natalie Morales: Now you actually felt such as you had your case made.

Det. Devin Rigo: Sure, as a result of there is no such thing as a method he might clarify away why his DNA would’ve been on Kenneth’s physique. 

Steven Milner would have an evidence for that. To everybody’s shock, Milner took the stand, admitting he did spray paint the cameras and was within the Intel storage ready for Kenny. He introduced what detectives believed was a far-fetched rationalization: he was making an attempt to avoid wasting Tanya. There have been no cameras in courtroom, however there’s audio of Milner telling Prosecutor John Gerhard why he was within the Intel lot that day.

STEVEN MILNER (in courtroom): I used to be making an attempt to get him arrested for driving whereas he was drunk, or driving and not using a license.

JOHN GERHARD: Why was it your accountability to implement Oregon visitors legal guidelines?

STEVEN MILNER: I used to be making an attempt to maintain Tanya from getting killed.

John Gerhard: He had this delusional perception that he wanted to guard Tanya Fandrich.

Mahalee Streblow: The protection case, it appeared to be … to type of get the jury to perhaps really feel sympathetic to Milner.

And Milner insisted it was Kenny who attacked him after Kenny noticed Milner contained in the maroon minivan.

Det. Devin Rigo: Steven primarily mentioned, effectively, I knew I used to be caught. So, I opened the door to kinda confront him. After which Kenneth attacked me.

STEVEN MILNER (in courtroom): We principally fought for somewhat bit. … there was pushing and shoving … finally I used to be capable of type of push him up in opposition to the automobile and — after which shove him into the automobile. 

Gerhard challenged Milner’s self-defense story.

JOHN GERHARD (in courtroom): Is that push that causes him to fall into his seat?

STEVEN MILNER: He hit up in opposition to the automobile after which type of tripped on the similar time. And I stored pushing. 

Mahalee Streblow: His testimony … simply did not line up with the bodily proof on the scene …

Det. Devin Rigo: To my information — bumping your head on the automobile door is just not going to interrupt your neck.

After six hours of deliberations, the jury discovered Steven Milner responsible of murdering Kenny Fandrich, and a number of stalking expenses. 

Cameras have been allowed for Steven Milner’s sentencing listening to, which befell on Feb. 18, 2025. Tanya, who requested to not be proven on digital camera, gave a strong assertion directed at Steven Milner. Prosecutor Mahalee Streblow learn us her phrases: 

Mahalee Streblow (studying aloud): “All you needed to do was cease … hear me clearly, after I say you’re a vengeful, misleading, manipulating, self-serving, aggressive, hateful, mendacity predator… and all you needed to do was cease.”

Milner was sentenced to life in jail, with the potential for parole after 25 years. Milner didn’t reply to “48 Hours”‘ request for an interview. 

Mahalee Streblow: This case highlights the very worst-case situation … take stalking significantly.

Kenny’s lawyer, Michael Fuller, says what occurred highlights the boundaries of the system that’s supposed to guard victims of stalking.

Michael Fuller: Kenny … known as the police. When that did not work, he obtained a lawyer … Kenny did all the things he might below the authorized system, and it did not assist him in any respect.

After Kenny’s demise, Fuller filed a wrongful demise go well with on behalf of Kenny’s property asking for damages of a number of million {dollars}. Fuller believes Milner made hundreds of thousands from actual property investments and the sale of his enterprise.

Michael Fuller: Within the wrongful demise case, my targets are to extract as a lot cash as we will out of Milner … If the property recovered any cash for Kenny, it could go to his spouse.

For Milner’s former veterinary purchasers, it was arduous to reconcile the physician they knew, with a now-convicted assassin.

Cheryl Choquette: I couldn’t imagine that it was the identical man. …

Darlyn Robinson: I simply imagine that he ended up going via some kind of psychosis … And I believe that … sooner or later he snapped …

Det. Devin Rigo: I believe it actually will get right down to, like, you by no means know what anyone is able to. … you by no means know what monster is likely to be inside …

Natalie Morales: Nearly a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde state of affairs?

Det. Devin Rigo: Yeah, completely.

Det. Stephanie Winter: Yeah. 

Darlyn Robinson: He had all the things to dwell for. , he … might do something he wished to do. … And that is the place it ended up. … It is actual unhappy.

 

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Produced by Chuck Stevenson and Lauren Clark. Greg Kaplan and Michael Baluzy are the editors. Lauren Turner Dunn is the affiliate producer. Cindy Cesare, Danielle Austen and Michelle Sigona are the event producers. Anthony Batson is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the chief story editor. Judy Tygard is the chief producer.