Hillsboro Police Investigate Mysterious Death
The Hillsboro, Oregon, Police Department detectives Stephanie Winter and Devin Rigo tackled an unprecedented investigation in January 2023. They were called to a crime scene at Intel’s facility in Hillsboro after Kenneth “Kenny” Fandrich, a 56-year-old contract pipe fitter, was discovered dead.
Discovery of the Body
Kenny’s wife, Tanya Fandrich, reported her husband’s absence when he did not return home as expected. Using location tracking shared between her and Kenny, she found his black Honda Civic in Intel’s parking lot. On arrival, detectives observed Kenny’s body in the car, noting minimal blood, which raised suspicion.
Detective Stephanie Winter remarked, “It didn’t make sense. He appeared to have passed peacefully.”
Surveillance Evidence
Security camera footage revealed a masked man with a hard hat and tinted glasses spray-painting cameras in the parking area on the morning of Kenny’s death. The detectives found patterns of suspicious activities linked to a maroon van captured on camera. This van eventually disappeared under a layer of blue spray paint.
Detective Devin Rigo determined the perpetrator spray-painted approximately six or seven cameras, but others captured the van entering the lot and parking next to Kenny’s car.
Suspicious Activities Previously Recorded
This wasn’t the first incident at Intel parking. Video footage recorded a man disguising his identity using a construction helmet and glasses a month prior. Investigators soon noted a distinctive forehead crease visible in the footage of the masked man.
Tanya Fandrich’s Statement: A Stalker
Tanya informed investigators that Kenny was harassed by a stalker. She provided a video suggesting the stalker might be her former boss, Dr. Steven Milner, a wealthy veterinarian. Milner was rumored to have had an affair with Tanya in 2017, creating strain on her marriage to Kenny.
The Affair and Subsequent Harassment
Tanya’s past affair with Milner had ended in 2017. Following this, Kenny alleged Milner pursued him to intimidate and threaten him. Milner, according to Tanya and other witnesses, remained persistent despite the affair’s end.
Pursuit and Investigations
Looking deeper, detectives examined the evidence and circumstances surrounding Milner. Signs pointed towards him as suspect. Surveillance captured Milner’s vehicle nearby in Oregon City’s Home Depot parking lot, suspected of being used as a staging area for what detectives termed “burner cars.” Milner bought supplies for disguises from this store leading up to Kenny’s murder.
Connection to the Minivan
Critical evidence lay within the maroon minivan, believed to be the crime’s main scene, but it was destroyed, along with potential forensic evidence it held. However, swab results from Kenny’s hands revealed Milner’s DNA.
Prosecution and Trial
During the trial in January 2025, Milner surprised everyone by admitting to painting the cameras and being present at the crime scene. He claimed his intentions were protective towards Tanya, but his story failed to align with evidence.
The jury deliberated and convicted Milner guilty of murder and stalking. During sentencing, Tanya Fandrich boldly addressed Milner, condemning his actions.
Milner received life imprisonment, eligible for parole after 25 years. This case emphasized the importance of addressing stalking with serious measures. Milner’s delusional actions ended in tragedy, imploring systemic changes for protective measures against such crimes.
Settlement and Reflection
A wrongful death suit ensued, resulting in a $1.2 million settlement. Friends and clients struggled to reconcile the image of the Milner they knew with a convicted murderer. This further highlighted how unexpectedly people can transform under obsessive circumstances.