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Peter van Sant
Nestled in the far reaches of Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, you can find a chain of gorgeous tranquil islands.
Local Resident
It's so beautiful. But it's changed for me. Now I don't. It's marred.
Peter van Sant
In 2009, three days before Halloween, a grisly crime stunned the seaport town of Anacortes, Washington.
Witness
I can only describe it as evil, something horrible, something terrible.
Detective
The blood on the walls, the blood on the carpet. It told a story of what took place.
Peter van Sant
The scene was at the house of a popular dog trainer named Mark Stover.
Local Resident
Mark was known as the dog whisperer of Anacortes and the dog trainer to the stars. He could speak dog. They knew that he knew them.
Peter van Sant
There was blood on Mark's driveway and blood on the floor throughout his house. But there was no sign of Mark.
Detective
I've never seen in my career a case that has as many twists and turns and mysteries as this case with Mark Stover.
Peter van Sant
They soon discovered a story tangled in obsession.
Witness
His eyes went just crazy. He clenched his hands and fists, and he was just in a shaking rage.
Peter van Sant
A love triangle between Mark Stover. He couldn't control his obsession.
Detective
You know, he chronicled his obsession.
Witness
This is war.
Peter van Sant
This is goddamn war. You've risked my life enough. An heiress who wanted a new life.
Detective
I think Linda Ompdyke knows more. More than what she's telling.
Peter van Sant
And her new lover.
Witness
It's a beautiful love, in my opinion. It's legendary.
Peter van Sant
Throughout this case, detectives wonder who was the hunter and who was the hunted.
Local Resident
We don't have the truth yet. We have some of the truth, but we don't have all of it.
Peter van Sant
I'm Peter van Sant from 48 Hours. This is trained to kill the dog trainer, the heiress, and the bodyguard. Available wherever you get your podcasts.
Episode: Who Was The Hunter & Who Was The Hunted?
Release Date: April 2, 2025
Host/Author: Peter Van Sant, CBS News
In the serene environs of Puget Sound's Anacortes, Washington, tranquility was shattered by a horrifying crime that left the tight-knit community reeling. Hosted by 48 Hours correspondent Peter Van Sant, this episode delves deep into the mysterious disappearance of Mark Stover, a renowned dog trainer, and the ensuing tumultuous love triangle involving heiress Linda Opdyke and security expert Michiel Oakes.
On October 28, 2009, just three days before Halloween, the peaceful town of Anacortes was thrust into chaos. The once-celebrated home of Mark Stover became the epicenter of a grisly discovery. Detectives arrived to find blood splattered across Mark's driveway and throughout his residence, painting a grim narrative of the events that transpired.
Detective (00:33): "The blood on the walls, the blood on the carpet. It told a story of what took place."
Despite the evident violence, Mark Stover was nowhere to be found, setting off a frantic search that would unravel a web of obsession and betrayal.
Mark Stover wasn't just any dog trainer; he was affectionately known as the "dog whisperer of Anacortes" and had a clientele that included celebrities and high-profile individuals. His charisma and unique ability to "speak dog" made him a beloved figure in the community.
Local Resident (00:48): "Mark was known as the dog whisperer of Anacortes and the dog trainer to the stars. He could speak dog. They knew that he knew them."
However, beneath this charming exterior lay complexities that would soon come to light, particularly concerning his relationships.
As detectives delved deeper, they uncovered a tangled story of obsession that intertwined the lives of Mark, Linda Opdyke, and Michiel Oakes. Mark's inability to let go of Linda became the focal point of the investigation.
Detective (01:39): "You know, he chronicled his obsession."
Linda, seeking to escape the suffocating grip of her marriage, found solace in Michiel Oakes, a security expert who positioned himself as her protector and new partner. Their relationship was swiftly labeled by acquaintances as "legendary" and "a beautiful love."
Witness (01:56): "It's a beautiful love, in my opinion. It's legendary."
However, Mark's obsessive nature indicated that this newfound happiness for Linda might have dire consequences.
Witness (01:25): "His eyes went just crazy. He clenched his hands and fists, and he was just in a shaking rage."
Witness (01:42): "This is war. This is goddamn war. You've risked my life enough."
Detectives faced a perplexing case filled with twists and uncertainties. The question loomed: Who was the hunter, and who was the hunted?
Detective (01:50): "I think Linda Opdyke knows more. More than what she's telling."
While the authorities pieced together the timeline and motives, local residents voiced their confusion and despair over the unresolved truths.
Local Resident (02:07): "We don't have the truth yet. We have some of the truth, but we don't have all of it."
The discovery of blood at Mark's residence and his subsequent disappearance pointed fingers towards the volatile dynamics between the trio, raising suspicions about Michiel's role in the unfolding drama.
As the episode progresses, Peter Van Sant masterfully navigates through the intricate details of this dark love triangle. The interplay of obsession, wealth, and protection creates a suspenseful narrative that keeps listeners questioning the true nature of each character's intentions.
Peter Van Sant (02:11): "This is trained to kill the dog trainer, the heiress, and the bodyguard."
With only partial truths surfaced, the community of Anacortes remains on edge, awaiting justice and clarity in a case that has left more questions than answers.
Join Peter Van Sant in this gripping episode of Trained to Kill: The Dog Trainer, the Heiress, and the Bodyguard as he unravels the complexities of human emotions and the lengths one might go to protect or possess.
Available wherever you get your podcasts.