Suspect charged with murder in Anacortes man’s disappearance
23 Comments | Email | Print | 7715 views Tahlia Ganser | Skagit Valley Herald
October 30, 2009 - 11:39 AM

A man has been charged with 2nd-degree murder in the case of a missing Anacortes man who hasn’t been seen since Wednesday morning.

The missing man is 57-year-old Mark Stover, owner of a dog-training business called Island K-9 Training. According to an arrest warrant filed in Skagit County District Court, Stover was not answering his phone Wednesday and Thursday, which was unusual. A woman who usually talks to him several times a day reported him missing Thursday.

Stover’s suspected killer, Michiel Glen Oakes, 41, was booked Thursday into Skagit County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of $5 million bail. Oakes is the boyfriend of Stover’s ex-wife, who now lives in Okanogan County.

The arrest affidavit outlines suspicious details surrounding Stover’s disappearance. Sheriff’s officials have not said whether they have recovered a body, and a Skagit County Coroner’s deputy said the office has not been involved in the case.

The apparent slaying could be over a woman who is dating the suspect and is the ex-wife of the missing man, the affidavit says.

The woman had a protection order issued against her ex-husband in April 2008. She had previously reported that he had come to her Okanogan County home, hid in the bushes and pointed a gun at her, the affidavit says.

The woman told investigators that she and the suspect were about to go to Portland, Ore., together, the affidavit says.

On Thursday, deputies went to Stover’s home where they found his police-trained dog running loose with wounds on her head and body, the affidavit says.

Deputies also found blood on the front porch and in a bedroom and hallway, the affidavit says.

Later in the day, investigators found Stover’s station wagon at the Northern Lights Casino with bloody finger smears on it. Deputies found keys on the driver’s side seat, a pair of glasses and a typed letter inside the car. The affidavit didn’t describe the contents of the letter.

When Oakes’ girlfriend realized her ex-husband was listed as missing in Skagit County, she called the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office. When deputies arrived, the suspect’s car was at the home, the affidavit says.

Oakes told the deputies that he needed to get medication out of his car and and he was allowed to leave the house. During that time the suspect took a white plastic grocery bag from his vehicle and threw it over an embankment, the affidavit says.

Deputies later found the bag with a .22 semi-automatic pistol. The bag smelled like bleach, the affidavit says.  A deputy also found a 9mm handgun on the suspect’s person.

It is unclear if the missing person has been found dead outside of Skagit County. The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released information on the arrest.

The suspect’s age and residence is unknown.

• Tahlia Ganser can be reached at 360-416-2148 or at .





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Latest comments

Stover was a friend from long,long ago and remained that way.

Any new information would be appriceated

Posted November 08, 2009 - 12:38 PM by jennyjenny

I have tried three time to fill this space and three times it has all gone away.I share your comments. Kiket Is. was a second home to me.

Our…

Posted November 08, 2009 - 12:24 PM by MoreyW

http://www.king5.com/home/MurderMystery-68998887.html

did not know him, do not know anyone involved in this story personally, but remember…

Posted November 05, 2009 - 06:49 PM by lolo


Read all 23 comments / share your thoughts


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