Security video helps lead Oregon detectives to a masked killer who tried to hide 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 if you first obtained it? What did you assume? 

Det. Stephanie Winter: You understand, 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 … dying at Intel.

Intel, the enormous tech firm recognized for its revolutionary pc chips, had a number of giant manufacturing services in Hillsboro, exterior of Portland. 

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

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 dwelling. Like many {couples}, they shared their places on their telephones. Tanya tracked him to the Intel car parking zone. 

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

OFFICER: We — we’re undecided 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 hearth — 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 useless.

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

Natalie Morales (Contained in the Cellular Command Heart): That night time, 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 way in which 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’ll assume anyone would … however I needed to form of pull plenty of the solutions out of her.

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

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

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

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

However Mesch knew higher than to attract conclusions immediately.

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

There was lots 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 digicam after which simply pops up.

The detectives found a person sporting a tough hat and red-mirror tinted glasses had really 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 automobile 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 automotive.

It was an older, maroon-colored Dodge van. They tracked the van’s motion’s digicam by digicam earlier than it disappeared. Beneath 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 may see that the van is that this shadow proper in right here. 

Natalie Morales: OK, proper. 

Det. Devin Rigo: After which, this automobile 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 by way of the storage. After which… very laborious to see… behind the blue spray paint.

Det. Devin Rigo (watching surveillance video): You possibly can see a bit of 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 automotive. 

Det. Devin Rigo: You simply form of have to look at the — form of shadows basically 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 already know … anyone be unlocking their automotive.

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

Det. Devin Rigo  (watching safety video):  You see plenty of motion occurring impulsively. 

Natalie Morales: Then you definitely see plenty of lights. 

Det. Devin Rigo: Lots 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 if 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 can be a essential piece of proof – the precise homicide scene.

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

However discovering the van can 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 wish to kill Kenny Fandrich?

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

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

Det. Devin Rigo: … we realized that, hey, FYI, we — a couple of 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 development — 

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

Investigators had been 100% sure it was the identical particular person, sporting totally 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 may 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 “large deal” — one thing Tanya Fandrich instructed them the night time her husband died. 

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

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 dwelling safety digicam.

Det. Devin Rigo: You really 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 instructed detectives her husband had a stalker — seen on the couple’s dwelling safety cameras within the carport of their dwelling in Oregon Metropolis, Oregon. 

Devin Rigo: Here is …some kind of like utility trailer proper right here. … And you may discover proper beneath the trailer — you really see the particular person … kinda crawl and transfer round a bit beneath … the trailer proper there.

Tanya instructed detectives the stalker was her outdated boss, Dr. Steven Milner. Milner was a well-to-do veterinarian, price thousands and thousands. She had labored with him in his clinic as a vet tech. 

Mates Cheryl Choquette and Darlyn Robinson had 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, type.

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 form of vet that get — will get down on the stage of the canine? Like on the ground with them? 

Cheryl Choquette: Positively on the ground.

And each Choquette and Robinson knew Tanya — at the least by sight.

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

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

Detectives quickly realized a couple of difficult relationship between Tanya and Milner. Tanya instructed investigators she and Milner had as soon as had an affair — it started in early 2017. On the time, Milner was separated, and Tanya stated 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 already know, 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 form of went, I ponder if there’s, you already know, one thing occurring, trigger …. simply appears 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 type of, that is like … you already know, 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 staff from the veterinary clinic that had been there.

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

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

Because the night time ended, Tanya went dwelling with Milner.

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

When Tanya did not return dwelling that night time, 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 form of left the home after which began calling, um … to attempt to determine what is going on on. 

In response to Tanya, she ended the affair quickly after they had been caught.

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

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

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

Michael Fuller was Kenny’s legal professional. 

Michael Fuller: This stalking subject had mainly consumed his life. 

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

Michael Fuller: Milner actually coming onto his property in the course of the night time … 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 really supplied this to us. … and this is without doubt one of the precise monitoring units that Steven Milner had positioned on one among 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 consider 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 automobile.

In August 2019, roughly two years after Tanya stated she ended the affair, Kenny utilized for an order of safety towards Milner. However detectives would study 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 dying, 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): Certainly one of them was: “the one absolute rock, strong reality is that I really like you. I’ve by no means liked anybody that method. … I’m consumed by your soul.”

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

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

Det. Stephanie Winter: It was a tumultuous relationship. … Alcohol got here into play between them. … they had been usually, you already know, as you may say, cold and warm … They argued lots.

Kenny had been charged with home violence years earlier than however the prices 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: Any person posted her bail. She had $25,000 bail … when she leaves the jail, Steven Milner is within the car parking zone ready for her.

Tanya instructed 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 today … none of us can determine how Steven Milner really discovered she had been arrested that night time.

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 aim was … what did he assume he may 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 might 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 way in which 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. … Have you learnt why we’re stopping you right now?

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 position in the entire thing?

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

Milner instructed police he believed Tanya was in peril as a result of she had allegedly instructed him Kenny was abusive. 

DR. STEVE MILNER (police bodycam video):  I am the one one that provides a sh** and I am not allowed to present 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. … In case you present up at their home, when you contact them, something like that, you are gonna go to jail.

After that site visitors cease, Kenny filed for a brand new order for defense. 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 instructed police he crashed his automotive.

KENNETH FANDRICH (police bodycam video): … my spouse and I’ve been preventing right now —

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 identical to proper down at highway and, I misplaced management on my automotive. I simply –

Kenny’s legal professional says his consumer had each purpose to be stressed.

Michael Fuller: Kenny instructed me that Milner … stated, “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 beneath his automotive, 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 swimsuit searching for a whole lot of hundreds 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 useless.

Simply days after the homicide, detectives had 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 kind of violent confrontation. We wish to see if he had any accidents.

Not eager to tip him off – investigators requested him to come back in for a examine in in regards to 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 aim sitting there on the receptionist desk — kind of as an undercover, proper?

Det. Stephanie Winter: I wished to see if he had any harm to himself. … He walks in. He appears 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 considering 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 digicam. 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 useless, Steven Milner was taken into custody. Inside days, Milner was charged with second-degree homicide and stalking. 

With Milner in custody, Rigo and Winter had been shortly capable of join one vital clue from these surveillance digicam 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 conceal 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 strong case?

Det. Devin Rigo: We had plenty 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 can be present in Milner’s home.

CONNECTING THE PUZZLE PIECES

Det. Stephanie Winter: It was stunning that anyone 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 would 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 dwelling.

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 master suite, is a bunch of things that we form of confer with as a shrine to Tanya. There was a framed image of Tanya. There have been love notes … there have been ladies’s underwear … identical to very like private keepsakes from, what — their relationship collectively.

Natalie Morales: That is extra than simply gathering 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 presently interval.

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

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

So, they ordered an FBI forensic evaluation of the SUV’s pc, 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 basically … the pc that is within the automotive retains plenty of data.

Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm.

Det. Devin Rigo: And fortunately a type 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 … a bit of … motherboard kind factor that had a chip in it.

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

Det. Devin Rigo: She … stated, you guys want to have a look at the House Depot in Oregon Metropolis …  He is there lots the day of the homicide.

A House Depot simply quarter-hour down the highway from Milner’s home.

Natalie Morales (within the House Depot car parking zone with detectives): How central did this place change into in the direction of a piecing collectively the proof that you just had?

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

The detectives requested House Depot safety personnel if there had been suspicious exercise within the lot not too long ago. Amazingly, they stated sure: two automobiles — a maroon minivan and a blue sedan — had been flagged for parking there for lengthy durations of time with solely short-term, paper license plates. 

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

For the second time in a matter of weeks, car parking zone safety cameras and the pictures they recorded, would offer investigators with key clues. In a clip  from Jan. 27, 2023 – the day of Kenny’s homicide – detectives say you may 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 digicam then captured the minivan exiting the car parking zone.

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

Det. Devin Rigo: So basically this was like his staging location. So, he would drive his private automotive right here after which both choose 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 form of is extra conversant in like a burner cellphone … the place you could have a cellphone that is not … traced to you however, you already know, you should utilize it for what you want, do away with it. … Primarily, he did the identical factor, however with a automotive.

Investigators believed Milner might have been utilizing these burner automobiles to secretly comply with Kenny to work — even after regulation enforcement had instructed him to cease.

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

Det. Stephanie Winter: he parked proper in entrance of House 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 question — it was Steven Milner. And people glasses he purchased? Detectives say you may see them in his proper hand as he exited the shop. The receipt stated that they had a “pink mirror” tint. Winter had an thought.

Det. Stephanie Winter: We simply occurred to be sitting close to one of many aisles and I used to be like, I will go see the place they promote … the glasses … After which a pair containers down was … a yellow laborious hat that regarded similar to the one … that he was sporting in all the Intel storage surveillance.

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

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

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

Natalie Morales: Why is the minivan so vital?

Det. Devin Rigo: As a result of it is the minivan that we consider was actually our foremost 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 individuals, 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 could have this automotive?” “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 all the key proof it held.

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

However they had been too late. When he requested in regards to the minivan, the scrapyard confirmed Rigo a video of the maroon minivan police consider 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 one among 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 consider Steven Milner murdered Kenny.

John Gerhard: All of the proof that was contained in the van was misplaced with it. … the most important disappointment for us is there was seemingly plenty 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 e 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 may 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 court docket, however there may be audio of Milner telling Prosecutor John Gerhard why he was within the Intel lot that day.

STEVEN MILNER (in court docket): I used to be making an attempt to get him arrested for driving whereas he was drunk, or driving with no license.

JOHN GERHARD: Why was it your duty to implement Oregon site 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 gave the impression to be … to form 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 basically stated, 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 court docket): We mainly fought for a bit of bit. … there was pushing and shoving … finally I used to be capable of form of push him up towards the automotive and — after which shove him into the automotive. 

Gerhard challenged Milner’s self-defense story.

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

STEVEN MILNER: He hit up towards the automotive after which form of tripped on the identical time. And I saved 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 automotive 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 prices. 

Cameras had been allowed for Steven Milner’s sentencing listening to, which came about on Feb. 18, 2025. Tanya, who requested to not be proven on digicam, gave a robust 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 of parole after 25 years. Milner didn’t reply to “48 Hours”‘ request for an interview. 

Mahalee Streblow: This case highlights the very worst-case state of affairs … take stalking critically.

Kenny’s legal professional, 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 may beneath the authorized system, and it did not assist him in any respect.

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

Michael Fuller: Within the wrongful dying 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 laborious to reconcile the physician they knew, with a now-convicted assassin.

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

Darlyn Robinson: I simply consider that he ended up going by way of some kind of psychosis … And I feel that … sooner or later he snapped …

Det. Devin Rigo: I feel 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: Virtually a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde scenario?

Det. Devin Rigo: Yeah, completely.

Det. Stephanie Winter: Yeah. 

Darlyn Robinson: He had all the things to reside for. You understand, he … may 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.