Investigation Unfolds in Hillsboro Murder Case: A Tragic Tale of Stalking and Deception
Detective Devin Rigo of the Hillsboro Police Department faced a race against time as he sped toward a metal scrapyard just north of Portland, Oregon. His urgency stemmed from the discovery of a maroon minivan believed to hold crucial evidence in the murder of 56-year-old Kenneth “Kenny” Fandrich, a contract pipe fitter whose life was tragically cut short.
The Crime Scene: A Shocking Discovery
On January 27, 2023, Fandrich’s lifeless body was found in a parking garage at the Intel campus in Hillsboro. Surveillance footage revealed a chilling scene: a masked assailant dragging Fandrich into the minivan. Investigators theorized that the suspect had broken Fandrich’s neck and killed him inside the vehicle before staging the body back in the driver’s seat of Fandrich’s own car.
In a desperate attempt to conceal the crime, the perpetrator had spray-painted several security cameras in the garage with blue paint. This act of vandalism, however, did not completely obscure the footage, allowing police to capture images of the suspect, who was clad in a hard hat, tinted glasses, and a face mask.
The Suspect: A Stalker Revealed
As the investigation progressed, Fandrich’s wife, Tanya, provided critical information to the police. She revealed that her husband had been stalked by Dr. Steven Milner, a former veterinarian with whom she had an affair while working at his clinic. Tanya claimed that the affair was long over, but the relationship had left a lingering tension.
Police records indicated that Fandrich had filed multiple protection orders against Milner, who had been warned by officers to cease his harassment. Just months before the murder, Milner was caught placing a tracking device on one of the Fandrichs’ vehicles, leading to criminal charges against him. This history of stalking and harassment positioned Milner as the prime suspect in Fandrich’s murder.
The Hunt for Evidence
Once in custody, investigators sought to connect Milner to the maroon minivan, which they believed was central to the crime. Detective Rigo described the vehicle as a “burner car,” akin to a disposable phone used to evade detection. The minivan had been flagged at a Home Depot parking lot, and security footage showed it leaving shortly before Fandrich’s murder.
Detectives were relentless in their pursuit of the minivan, sending out alerts to various agencies with its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Their efforts bore fruit when the Oregon Department of Transportation notified them that the minivan had been towed from the side of Interstate 5 in North Portland just days after the murder. It was believed that Milner had abandoned the vehicle there.
A Heartbreaking Setback
In a twist of fate, Rigo learned that the minivan had been sold to a scrapyard. Racing against the clock, he arrived at the scrapyard only to witness a devastating scene: the minivan was being crushed. “I was able to watch one of my key pieces of evidence be crushed and taken away,” Rigo lamented. “It was exactly a week too late.”
This setback underscored the challenges faced by law enforcement in murder investigations, particularly when crucial evidence is lost. The minivan was not just a vehicle; it was a potential treasure trove of forensic evidence that could have solidified the case against Milner.
The Broader Context: Stalking and Domestic Violence
Fandrich’s murder highlights a troubling trend in domestic violence and stalking cases. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly one in four women and one in nine men experience severe intimate partner physical violence. Stalking, often a precursor to more severe violence, affects millions of individuals each year.
The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of protective orders. Despite Fandrich’s attempts to shield himself from Milner’s harassment, the tragic outcome illustrates the limitations of legal protections in preventing violence.
Conclusion: A Case Still Unfolding
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the implications of this tragic event. The story of Kenneth Fandrich serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by stalking and the complexities of domestic violence.
The upcoming episode of “48 Hours,” titled “Murder in the Parking Garage,” will delve deeper into the investigation and the legal proceedings surrounding Milner’s trial. As the case unfolds, it remains a poignant example of the need for greater awareness and action against stalking and domestic violence in society.
