First degree murder charge in Stover case

Chief Criminal Deputy Will Reichardt said he feels that there is enough evidence to prove that the suspect, Michiel Glen Oakes, planned the murder of Stover, who was reported missing on October 29.

Reichardt told Anacortes Now that investigators spent much of Thursday searching part of the Swinomish channel, near the twin bridges and nearby boat launch area, with a remote-controlled underwater video camera. He said an Arlington businessman who operates an underwater search business had volunteered his equipment. But, Reichardt said no body was found.

Documents filed Friday in Superior Court indicate that evidence includes a receipt found in Oakes' car for 3 ankle weights, anchor line, a backpack, children's shin guard and a camouflage sweat suit. Investigators also found a backpack matching the one on the receipt in Oakes' car, as well as a single .22 caliber round and .22 gun silencer instructions.

Reichardt conceded that proving a murder charge without a body, but he said he's confident they have sufficient evidence.

According to an affidavit filed in Superior Court, on October 28, a sheriff's deputy stopped Oakes, the suspect, as he was driving east on Stevenson Rd., near the Summit Park Grange, after it was reported seen behind the grange along with another vehicle owned by Stover earlier that day, the day Stover disappeared.

According to the deputy's affidavit, he noticed blankets or sleeping bags with other items that "were consistent with a personalizing out of their vehicle." And, he noticed dog hair on the left long sleeve of Oakes. He didn't see any dogs in the car.

When, the deputy checked Stover's car, behind the grange building, he said he saw a pair of wire rim glasses in the driver's seat, a typewritten letter and keys on a key ring in the center console of the car belonging to Stover. 

On the morning of October 29, Stover's employees discovered Stover's dog loose at Stover's house. The dog had numerous lacerations on her head and body and the veterinarian there reported seeing apparent pellets in the dog's face during treatment. The Sheriff's Office was called. When they arrived, the found 8-10 inch stains consistent blood in the downstairs bedroom and hallway. They noticed his bathroom was extremely clean and smelled like fresh bleach or cleaning detergents.

Then, at 3:33pm on October 29, Stover's car was discovered at the Northern Lights Casino parking lot. It was the same car spotted the previous day parked behind the grange. What appeared to be bloody finger smears on the driver's side rear quarter panel and rear hatch back were visible. Along with the same wire rim glasses and typed letter.

Detectives reviewed casino surveillance video and saw Stover's vehicle arrive in the parking area at 6:20 pm on October 28, after it was spotted behind the grange, and before being found at the casino.

When she learned Stover was missing, his ex-wife, Linda Opdycke, contacted the Okanogan County Sheriff's Office and said she was concerned. Oakes was arrested at Opdycke's Winthrop home.