Dateline: Secrets Uncovered on Oxygen is having another look at the murder of celebrity dog trainer T. Mark Stover, who was murdered by his ex-wife’s lover, Michiel Oakes, at Stover’s home in Anacortes, Washington.
Stover had reached a level of fame after counting among his clients Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, members of Pearl Jam, and Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki. However, a bitter divorce with his wife, Linda Opdycke, ultimately led to his murder.
Opdycke accused Stover of constantly harassing and pestering her, which eventually led to his conviction for stalking. Opdycke hired security expert Oakes to help crack down on her ex-husband stalking her, and they eventually began dating.
The couple claim that Stover continued to harass them and even followed them when they took a trip to Montana. Stover allegedly wanted his former wife to give him photos from their wedding.
On October 28, 2009, Oakes said he went to Stover’s home to tell him the wedding photos no longer existed and that he should leave them alone.
He further claimed that Stover pulled a gun on him, and in the ensuing struggle, the firearm accidentally went off, killing the 57-year-old. The killer said it was self-defense.
Michiel Oakes confessed to killing and dumping Mark Stover at sea
Oakes admitted that he dumped Stover’s remains off a dock beside a casino into the waters of the Swinomish Channel. The body was never found.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelThe police and prosecutors argued that the murder was premeditated. Oakes had gone to the house armed with a gun and with a bulletproof jacket. He also admitted he had a bag containing camouflage clothing, weights, and a rope.
The investigators also learned that Stover had not harassed or had any contact with his former wife or Oakes after his conviction.
Michiel Oakes found guilty of Mark Stover murder
In October 2010, a jury deliberated for three and a half days before they found Oakes guilty of murder. The following month, Judge Michael Rickert sentenced him to the maximum penalty of 26 years.
Rickert admitted that he had more questions after the verdict than he did before the start of this complex case. Rickert told Oakes, “There are parts of your story I flat out don’t believe and never will…. Why not provide the gun and the body?… The cruelty of depriving the family of Mr. Stover’s remains… the fact the family will never have resolution is tough for me to swallow.”
In 2015, Judge Ann Schindler denied Oakes an appeal. He remains incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, WA.
This episode of Dateline: Secrets Uncovered is reshown Tuesday at 9/8c on Oxygen.
I wonder who is raising his children?!!! I bet it’s not his Lover