Mark Stover was known as a dog trainer to the stars. The

Published 7:00 am Monday, July 19, 2010

Mark Stover was known as a dog trainer to the stars. The Skagit Island man had an impressive list of clients, including Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder. When Stover went missing last October, suspicion immediately centered around Michiel Oakes, Stover’s ex-wife’s boyfriend. But despite the fact that Oakes has all but admitted to murdering Stover, a judge has ruled that he won’t have to reveal where he ditched the body.Stover was last seen alive nine months ago.Oakes’ lawyer initially called Stover’s disappearance a “big whoddunit.” But now he says his client acted in his own self-defense.Prosecutors argued that Oakes has practically admitted to murdering Stover. But a judge ordered that forcing him to reveal where he put the body would violate his right to remain silent.On October 29th, Skagit Island police called to Stover’s home found his dog, Dingo, bleeding from gunshot wounds and a bathroom that smelled suspiciously of bleach. Hours later Stover’s station wagon was found ditched at a local casino with bloody fingerprint smears on the interior.A day before Stover was last seen alive, a neighbor called cops to report a trespassing. Two cars, one belonging to Oakes and the other Stover, were parked side-by-side with a sheet of plastic between them.When a cop later pulled him over as he was driving away from the scene, Oakes said he had just stopped to make a phone call. The deputy noted that he had dog hair on his sleeve and blankets laid down in the back seat.The next day, when police arrived at his girlfriend’s house, Oakes told them he was going to his car to get some medicine. Instead, he went outside and threw a plastic bag over an embankment.When officers found the bag they realized Oakes had good reason to want to get rid of it. Inside was a .22-caliber pistol and the faint smell of bleach.Dingo survived. Stover’s body still hasn’t been found. And Oakes is currently being held on $5 million bail on the charge of premeditated murder.