The Crime That Shook Hillsboro: A Detailed Investigation

In January 2023, Detectives Stephanie Winter and Devin Rigo from the Hillsboro, Oregon, Police Department faced an unprecedented crime scene. A dead body was discovered in an Oregon parking garage, later identified as Kenneth “Kenny” Fandrich, a 56-year-old contract pipe fitter at Intel. He had been reported missing by his wife, Tanya, when he failed to come home on time.

The Initial Discovery

Intel, well-known for its tech innovations, had its parking facilities turned into a crime scene when Kenny’s body was found. He appeared to have died peacefully, and there was minimal blood in the car, according to Det. Stephanie Winter.

A significant break came from surveillance footage which showed a masked individual with glasses and a hard hat spray-painting several security cameras in the garage early that day, managing to evade Intel’s security. The detectives identified a maroon van involved in the suspicious activity, last seen in the garage.

Video Evidence and Suspicions

Security footage captured Kenny around 3:21 p.m. on the day he was killed, following a shift at Intel. The camera footage, although partially obscured by the spray paint, revealed Kenny heading toward his black Honda Civic. His car’s headlights flashed, likely from his key fob, as he unlocked the car, moments before the masked man pounced.

The investigators believed the killer forced Kenny into the maroon van, where Kenny was murdered, and later staged back in his own car. An unidentified stalker had reportedly harassed Kenny, as mentioned by Tanya to the detectives.

The Stalker Identified

The detectives learned about a past relationship between Tanya Fandrich and Dr. Steven Milner, a wealthy veterinarian. The affair had been brief but intense, with Milner stalking Kenny afterward. Kenny had also taken legal action against Milner in the past due to this incessant harassment.

Tanya revealed that Milner’s infatuation had grown dangerously out of hand, leading to numerous incidents, including obsessive behavior and aggressive harassment.

Building the Case

Police gathered evidence that pointed to Milner. Among significant clues was a surveillance video from Home Depot, showing Milner buying safety glasses matching those worn by the masked man in the garage footage. Even more crucial was DNA evidence; traces of Milner’s DNA were found on Kenny’s hands.

The case was further bolstered by patterns of Milner’s behavior, including the use of “burner” cars — vehicles untraceable to him.

The Trial and Conviction

Self-defense claims by Milner, who admitted to the garage confrontation, failed to convince the jury. Despite lacking the maroon van, which had been lost to a scrapyard, the remaining evidence, combined with Milner’s history of stalking, led to a conviction for murder and multiple stalking counts. Milner was sentenced to life imprisonment, with eligibility for parole after 25 years.

Aftermath and Impact

The case highlighted serious flaws in the response to stalking. Kenny’s estate pursued wrongful death damages, ultimately settling for $1.2 million in 2025. This case serves as a reminder to take stalking threats seriously, illustrating the tragic consequences when predator behavior is unchecked.