Podcast Summary: “Murder in the Parking Garage”

Podcast: 48 Hours
Host: CBS News
Episode Date: October 6, 2025

Main Theme

This engrossing episode of “48 Hours” investigates the 2023 murder of Kenny Fandrich, a contractor at the Intel campus in Hillsborough, Oregon. The story unfolds like a cinematic whodunit—delving into a web of obsessive love, stalking, and murder, as detectives work tirelessly to piece together the case against a seemingly upstanding veterinarian, Dr. Stephen Milner. Through interviews, audio from courtroom proceedings, and detailed investigative accounts, the episode explores the dangers of stalking, the limits of the justice system, and a community’s shock when a respected figure becomes a killer.

Key Points & Insights

Discovery and Initial Investigation

• Initial Discovery

  • Police respond to a call at a parking garage on the Intel campus. Kenny Fandrich’s body is found in his black Honda Civic, parked on the second level (01:54).
  • Surveillance cameras in the garage are found to have been spray-painted, obscuring much of the footage (02:50).

• Body Position and First Impressions

  • Fandrich’s body appeared "peaceful," hands in his lap, but with "discoloration around the neck" (01:58). Officers initially wonder: homicide or something else?
  • Host (A): “He looked like he had passed peacefully. His hands were placed in his lap. We thought that that was strange...” (03:10)

Surveillance Footage and the Disguise

• A Masked Intruder

  • Surveillance reveals a figure in a hard hat, safety glasses, and black mask spray-painting cameras in the early morning, clearly trying to conceal their identity (03:44).
  • Detective: “He does a pretty good job of spray painting, really, kind of obscuring enough of the camera.” (03:59)

• Obstructed Images, but a Critical Van

  • Not all cameras are disabled; footage shows a maroon Dodge minivan entering and exiting, parking next to Fandrich’s car (08:34–09:16).

• Abduction and Lights Flashes

  • Police note "a lot of lights flashing" from Fandrich’s Honda, deduced as Kenny frantically pressing his key fob while being attacked (10:11–10:23).

Unveiling Motive: The Stalker

• Tanya Fandrich’s Account

  • Tanya, Kenny’s wife, is present at the scene and tells detectives about a stalker harassing Kenny—her ex-boss, Dr. Stephen Milner (12:41).
  • Video evidence from their home supports the claim (13:22).

• History with Dr. Milner

  • Tanya admits to a past affair with Milner during a rough patch in her marriage. After being discovered, she ended the affair, but Milner’s infatuation escalated (15:13–17:36).
  • He’s described as having become “obsessed” with Tanya, repeatedly harassing and stalking both Tanya and Kenny, including placing GPS trackers and physically following them (17:41–18:22).

• Legal Attempts at Protection

  • Kenny sought restraining orders and involved police multiple times. Milner ignored these, and his stalking became more menacing (22:09–23:03).

Notable Quote

Kenny’s attorney, Michael Fuller:
“This stalking issue had basically consumed his life.” (17:44)

The Investigation Unfolds

• Piecing Together the Evidence

  • The detectives connect the dots: the stalker’s disguise matches items Milner purchased at Home Depot—a site repeatedly visited by Milner, as uncovered by analyzing his SUV’s onboard computer (30:27–33:17).
  • They discover Milner used “burner cars,” including the maroon minivan, to avoid detection (32:33–32:47).

• Missing Critical Evidence

  • The maroon minivan, believed to be the primary crime scene, is traced to a scrapyard—destroyed before investigators can recover forensic evidence (35:04–36:06).

• Forensic ‘Break’

  • DNA swabs from Kenny’s hands test positive for Milner’s DNA, putting him at the scene (37:05–37:29).

Memorable Moment

Detective on minivan destruction:
“I was able to watch one of my key pieces of evidence be crushed... Before my very eyes. Exactly a week too late.” (35:57–36:06)

Arrest and Trial

• Connecting the Crease

  • Surveillance images reveal a unique forehead crease, helping confirm Milner as the disguised assailant (12:02, 25:50).

• Arrest

  • Milner is detained after detectives spot makeup covering an injury on his nose (24:44–25:06).
  • Ultimately charged with second-degree murder and stalking (25:50).

Notable Quote

Detective Winter:
“She says, hey, he's got makeup on his face. Makeup investigators say Milner used to cover up a scratch on his nose. Bingo. You're thinking, we got our guy.” (25:06)

The Courtroom: Milner’s Defense and Conviction

• Milner Testifies
  • He admits to spray-painting cameras and being at the garage, but claims he was trying to “save Tanya” and acted in self-defense (38:09–39:29).
  • Prosecutor Gerhardt dismantles his explanation as inconsistent with forensic findings.

Notable Exchange

Prosecutor Gerhardt:
“To my knowledge, bumping your head on the car door is not going to break your neck.” (39:33)

• Conviction
  • Jury finds Milner guilty after six hours of deliberation (39:39).

Sentencing & Aftermath

• Powerful Victim Impact Statement

  • Tanya’s statement to Milner (read in court):

    “All you had to do was stop. Hear me clearly when I say you are a vengeful, deceptive, manipulating, self serving, aggressive, hateful, lying predator. And all you had to do was stop.” (40:04)

• Sentence

  • Milner receives life in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years (40:26).

• Limitations of Stalking Protections

  • Kenny’s attorney laments:

    “Kenny called the police. When that didn't work, he got a lawyer. Kenny did everything he could under the legal system, and it. It didn't help him at all.” (41:11)

• Civil and Emotional Fallout

  • Kenny’s estate files a wrongful death suit against Milner for millions (41:20–41:47).
  • Milner’s former veterinary clients struggle to reconcile the kind doctor they knew with the murder conviction (41:47–42:22).

Reflection

Cheryl Coquette:
“I just believe that he ended up going through some type of psychosis. And I think that at some point, he snapped... you never know what monster might be inside.” (42:11)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• The Crime Scene and Spray-Painted Cameras: [01:28] – [03:44]
• Surveillance Footage and Initial Suspect Search: [07:51] – [09:54]
• Tanya Reveals Stalker–Dr. Milner: [12:41] – [15:13]
• History and Escalation of Stalking: [17:41] – [23:03]
• Stolen Evidence & Forensic Breakthrough: [35:04] – [37:29]
• Milner’s Arrest & Trial: [24:44], [38:09], [39:33]
• Sentencing & Aftermath: [40:04] – [42:22]

Conclusion

This chilling episode of “48 Hours” lays bare the profound dangers of unchecked obsession and stalking, and the tragic limits of the protective systems meant to safeguard victims. In gripping, cinematic detail, the investigation and prosecution of Dr. Stephen Milner—respected veterinarian turned murderer—demonstrate how “you never know what monster might be inside.” The case also stands as a solemn cautionary tale: take stalking seriously, because, as this story shows, sometimes the worst can happen.