Oregon Veterinarian was Allegedly Obsessed with Employee, Breaking her Husband’s Neck

Prosecutors claim that a successful, now retired, Oregon veterinarian became obsessed with a former employee and broke her husband’s neck in the garage of the Intel campus in Hillsboro.

Steven Milner (57) calmly described his obsession with his former lover, Tanya Fandrich, who worked as a veterinary technician for many years at Milner’s successful practice in Oregon City. The court heard that the couple had an affair in 2017.

 

Milner Ignored Restraining Orders

Giving evidence on Friday at the Washington County Circuit Court, Milner conceded ignoring restraining orders against Kenneth Fandrich.

He planted tracking devices in the man’s car, followed him to work, and put plastic in his gas tank. Milner acknowledged that he bought ‘burner’ cars to keep track of Fandrich after he was served with a restraining order.

On January 27, 2023, Milner went to the Intel parking garage where prosecutors say he lay in wait for Fandrich, later found in his car with a broken neck.

Milner told the court that he was defending himself from Fandrich. However, he had no clear memory of the exact events leading to the fight and subsequent death of Fandrich. Prosecutors claim that Milner plotted the murder after years of careful planning and harassment.

 

His Lover was the Victim of Domestic Violence

The father of two adult children said he began an affair with Tanya Fandrich in 2017, which continued through to October 2019. He claimed that Tanya was the victim of domestic violence and that he had seen extensive bruising on her body.

He also claimed that Kenneth Fandrich had threatened him.

Milner then told the court how he attempted to drive a wedge between the couple. On one occasion, he placed a condom in one of their vehicles, hoping it would cause a rift in their marriage. His efforts were unsuccessful.

Earlier, Tanya Fandrich testified that they lived in fear of Milner, who had harassed both herself and her husband.

Milner said that on the day of the murder, he had parked his van next to Fandrich’s Honda Civic. As Fandrich approached his car, Milner opened his van door, and the two began fighting.

Although his memory of the events that followed was not clear, Milner said he had managed to put Fandrich into his car and when he checked, could find no pulse. There were no witnesses to the fight.

Milner, whose court hearing will continue Tuesday, is accused of second-degree murder, stalking, and several restraining order violations.

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