A critical piece of evidence in the murder of Kenneth “Kenny” Fandrich, a 56-year-old pipe fitter found dead in a Hillsboro, Oregon, Intel parking garage, was discovered at a junkyard north of Portland – but police were too late to salvage it.
A maroon minivan, believed by investigators to be the primary crime scene and used in the brutal January 27, 2023, murder of Fandrich, was located at a scrap metal facility. Detective Devin Rigo of the Hillsboro Police Department raced against time to secure the vehicle after learning of its whereabouts, but it had already been processed and was beyond retrieval.
This discovery highlights a key element in the chilling case, which has captivated audiences and is featured in the “48 Hours” episode “Murder in the Parking Garage.”
The Calculated Killing at Intel
Kenneth Fandrich was found deceased inside his own vehicle in a parking garage at the Intel Ronler Acres campus on January 27, 2023. While the scene initially offered little clue, a review of surveillance footage revealed a masked man dragging Fandrich into a minivan. Investigators later pieced together that the killer likely broke Fandrich’s neck inside this minivan before staging his body back in his car to conceal the nature of the crime. As a further attempt to thwart the investigation, the suspect had also spray-painted several security cameras in the parking garage with blue paint, an act captured on some of the partially obscured footage.
An autopsy confirmed Fandrich’s death was not natural; he died from blunt compressive trauma to the neck, which severed his spine.
A History of Obsession and Stalking
The investigation quickly pointed towards Steven Neil Milner, a retired Oregon City veterinarian with a history of obsessive behavior towards Kenneth Fandrich and his wife, Tanya Fandrich. Years prior, Milner had an affair with Tanya Fandrich, who was a long-term employee at his veterinary clinic. After Tanya ended the affair and recommitted to her marriage with Kenneth, Milner reportedly became fixated on the couple, embarking on a campaign of harassment and stalking.
Kenneth Fandrich had repeatedly sought legal recourse against Milner. He filed multiple orders of protection, and police had warned Milner to cease his pursuit. Despite these efforts, Milner’s actions escalated, including placing GPS tracking devices on the Fandrichs’ vehicles and trespassing on their property. Fandrich had even filed a civil lawsuit against Milner, accusing him of stalking, threatening his life, and causing emotional distress. A stalking protective order was in place, which Milner repeatedly violated, according to prosecutors.
The Van’s Crucial Role and Junkyard Race
The maroon minivan was considered the “main crime scene” by detectives, holding potential forensic evidence vital to proving the case. After Fandrich’s murder, police identified the minivan as a key vehicle used by the perpetrator. Through diligent tracking, investigators learned the vehicle had been towed from the side of Interstate 5 in North Portland shortly after the crime. This led them to a scrap metal yard just north of Portland.
Detective Rigo’s urgent dash to the junkyard underscored the critical nature of the vehicle. However, upon arrival, officers discovered that the minivan had already been dismantled and processed, its evidentiary value lost to the scrap metal industry.
Unmasking the Killer and Securing Justice
Despite the loss of the minivan as a direct forensic source, investigators pieced together a compelling case. Surveillance footage, even with the spray-painted cameras, provided crucial visual evidence of the perpetrator’s actions. The investigation connected the minivan and another vehicle to Milner.
Milner was arrested days after Fandrich’s murder and subsequently faced charges including second-degree murder, stalking, and multiple counts of violating a stalking protective order. At trial, Milner’s defense attempted to claim self-defense, alleging Fandrich had attacked him, but the jury was not convinced.
In January 2025, a Washington County jury found Steven Neil Milner guilty of murder in the second degree, stalking, and seven counts of violating a court’s stalking protective order. He was later sentenced to life in prison for the premeditated murder of Kenneth Fandrich.
The case serves as a stark reminder of how stalking can escalate to extreme violence, and the challenges law enforcement faces in intervening before tragedy strikes. The news of the minivan’s discovery and subsequent loss adds another layer to this tragic Oregon news story, underscoring the relentless pursuit of justice by the Hillsboro Police Department and other agencies involved.
