OREGON CITY, OR – Shadows fell deep across the dense Oregon forest when a grim discovery shattered the usual quiet of the wilderness last summer. A pair of hunters, traversing the remote trails of Mount Hood National Forest, stumbled upon a gruesome scene: a plastic container, swarmed by turkey vultures and surrounded by evidence of human remains. This shocking encounter would unravel the story of a fatal domestic dispute that ended in tragedy and deception.
In Clackamas County Circuit Court this week, William Glen Blake, 56, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the death of Jennifer Ruth Stuart, his 38-year-old girlfriend. Blake was handed a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years, concluding a chilling chapter that had escalated behind closed doors and spilled out into Oregon’s wild terrain.
Authorities say the violence erupted on August 14, inside the couple’s home along the 600 block of Hilltop Lane in Oregon City. Voices escalated in argument, and the conflict ended with a fatal gunshot. Instead of alerting authorities, investigators allege that Blake attempted to hide the crime, embarking on a series of methodical actions meant to cover up Stuart’s death.
Blake left the scene and drove to a local hardware store, where authorities later matched surveillance footage showing him purchasing items that would turn out to be central to the investigation: a large tote container, garbage bags, and gloves. Detectives believe that Stuart’s remains were then placed in the plastic tote before being transported into the depths of Mount Hood National Forest.
Law enforcement’s timeline of events suggests that Blake’s son, then 15 years old, may have assisted in moving the body using a distinctive red and gray Chevrolet Avalanche pickup. The involvement of the teenager brought another layer of complexity to the investigation, placing the family under greater scrutiny.
Two weeks after the alleged murder and disposal, the hunters’ discovery off Hillockborn Road prompted a swift response from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. Forensic teams identified the remains as Stuart’s through fingerprint analysis, while an autopsy confirmed she had died from a single gunshot wound to her left side.
Previous allegations of abuse emerged during the inquiry. Neighbors recounted seeing signs of physical harm, and detectives noted a pattern of violence. Investigators homed in on Blake, searching his house twice before reportedly uncovering the container used in the crime.
Upon his arrest, Blake confessed to the shooting, telling investigators he left Stuart’s body in the woods. As part of his plea deal, a series of additional charges—including abuse of a corpse, unlawful use of a weapon, and tampering with evidence—were dropped.
The consequences rippled through the family. The 15-year-old son who allegedly helped move the body was taken into juvenile custody, facing charges related to abuse of a corpse and evidence tampering. Investigators also interviewed Blake’s older son, 17, though he has not been charged in the case.
For Stuart’s family, the outcome has brought little solace. Her mother, Elizabeth, spoke in court of unimaginable pain and loss, describing the ordeal in harrowing terms and condemning the actions as savage and inhumane.
The impact of this crime has left a lasting mark on those who knew Stuart and underscored the enduring consequences of domestic violence, bringing a community together in mourning and reflection as legal proceedings draw to a close.