Trained to Kill: The Dog Trainer, the Heiress, and the Bodyguard

Episode: "The Bundle in the Back"
Release Date: April 30, 2025
Host/Author: CBS News, Peter Van Sant

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Trained to Kill: The Dog Trainer, the Heiress, and the Bodyguard, CBS News correspondent Peter Van Sant delves deep into the mysterious disappearance of Mark Stover, a charismatic dog trainer known as the "Dog Whisperer" of the Pacific Northwest. Together with wealthy heiress Linda Opdyke, Mark built a thriving business and a marriage that seemed enviable from the outside. However, beneath the surface lay secrets and obsessions that would culminate in a dark and deadly triangle involving Linda’s new love, Michiel Oakes, a security expert.

The Missing Person Report

[01:13] The episode kicks off on the morning of October 28, 2009, when Tammy Gilden in Anacortes, Washington, made a 911 call reporting suspicious activity near the grange hall, an event facility close to Mark Stover’s residence. Tammy and her mother had noticed a man trespassing, involving two vehicles—a white station wagon and a black SUV—transferring a large, plastic-covered object.

Tammy Gilden:

“My first thought was, oh, a body. I thought, oh, you know, you're reading a murder mystery. You know, silly girl, you know that's not a body.”
[02:13]

Deputy Rick Duhame’s Investigation

[02:13] Deputy Rick Duhame responded swiftly, checking the station wagon before pursuing the black SUV. During a traffic stop, he interacted with Michael Ochs, who appeared nervous and had dog hair on his clothing. A significant clue emerged when Ochs had a large bundle of blankets in his SUV, which, unbeknownst to the deputies at the time, was Mark Stover’s dead body.

Deputy Rick Duhame:

“His story was he was headed to the casino, which is down the road.”
[04:14]

Michael Ochs and Jennifer Thompson's Encounter

[05:16] Michael Ochs, after being let go with a warning, reached out to his ex-wife, Jennifer Thompson, leading to a fateful meeting at a Starbucks. Despite being separated for a year, their reunion was fraught with tension, as Michael revealed his emotional turmoil and hinted at potential legal troubles.

Michael Ochs:

“I had entered a relationship with someone. And it made me really reflect on my situation with Michael. Because I can't say I didn't love him anymore.”
[06:21]

Jennifer agreed to meet him, but during their walk on the beach, Michael grew increasingly agitated, eventually driving away with a sense of dread and paranoia.

Discovery of the Bundle

[12:05] That evening, Michael returned to Linda Opdyke’s house. Surveillance footage showed his arrival and the emotional reunion with Linda. However, suspicion arose when Sergeant Gene Davis received distressing information from Linda about potential violence from Mark, leading deputies to visit her residence.

[16:35] Upon arrival, deputies found the house unusually quiet. Entering, they encountered Michael armed and immediately searched him, discovering a white garbage bag tied and hidden in his vehicle. Jennifer noticed a strong bleach smell emanating from the bag shortly after.

Jennifer Thompson:

“Once he's secured in the back of my car, I go and secure the garbage. It's basically a Walmart garbage sack. White garbage sack tied up.”
[26:10]

This bag contained what was later confirmed to be Mark Stover’s body, hidden from plain sight in Michael's SUV.

The Arrest of Michael Ochs

[25:36] With overwhelming evidence pointing towards foul play, including the sudden disappearance of Mark and the incriminating contents found in Michael’s car, Sergeant Davis moved to arrest Ochs. Michael’s erratic behavior and the discovery of the body sealed his status as the prime suspect.

Deputy Rick Duhame:

“What are you telling me? You shot Mark Stover in self defense?”
[27:33]

Despite Michael’s claims of self-defense, the evidence against him was compelling, leading to his arrest and the unraveling of the tangled relationships that led to Mark Stover’s demise.

Conclusion

"The Bundle in the Back" masterfully unpacks the complex web of relationships, deceit, and violence that ultimately led to the tragic disappearance of Mark Stover. Through meticulous reporting and firsthand accounts, Peter Van Sant provides listeners with an engaging and detailed exploration of this true-crime saga, raising critical questions about trust, obsession, and the lengths one might go to protect their newfound happiness.

Notable Quotes

• Tammy Gilden [02:13]:
  “My first thought was, oh, a body. I thought, oh, you know, you're reading a murder mystery. You know, silly girl, you know that's not a body.”

• Michael Ochs [06:21]:
  “I had entered a relationship with someone. And it made me really reflect on my situation with Michael. Because I can't say I didn't love him anymore.”

• Deputy Rick Duhame [04:14]:
  “His story was he was headed to the casino, which is down the road.”

• Jennifer Thompson [26:10]:
  “Once he's secured in the back of my car, I go and secure the garbage. It's basically a Walmart garbage sack. White garbage sack tied up.”

• Deputy Rick Duhame [27:33]:
  “What are you telling me? You shot Mark Stover in self defense?”

This episode sheds light on the intricate and often dark intersections of personal relationships and criminal actions, leaving listeners contemplating the true nature of the characters involved and the ultimate fate of Mark Stover.