At a Glance
- William Glen Blake, 56, received a life sentence with parole possible after 25 years for second-degree murder
- He shot girlfriend Jennifer Ruth Stuart, 38, at his Oregon City home on Aug. 14, 2025
- Stuart’s body was found Sept. 1 after hunters noticed turkey vultures near Hillockborn Road
- Why it matters: The case highlights domestic violence patterns and how surveillance evidence helped secure a conviction
An Oregon man will spend decades behind bars after admitting he shot his girlfriend, stuffed her body in a plastic tote, and dumped it in the woods.
The Crime
William Glen Blake pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Clackamas County Circuit Court. Prosecutors say Blake killed Jennifer Ruth Stuart at his Oregon City residence on August 14, 2025.
After the shooting, Blake drove to Home Depot. Surveillance cameras captured him purchasing:
- A large plastic tote
- Garbage bags
- Gloves
These items later became crucial evidence linking him to the crime.
Discovery of the Body
Nearly three weeks passed before anyone found Stuart. On September 1, 2025, a couple hunting off Hillockborn Road noticed turkey vultures swarming a particular area. Their curiosity led them to discover Stuart’s remains.
An autopsy confirmed Stuart died from a gunshot wound. The medical examiner noted an entry wound in the lower left side of her body.
The Investigation
Detectives quickly focused on Blake for several reasons:
- History of alleged abuse: A neighbor told police Blake regularly assaulted Stuart
- Surveillance footage: Cameras near the dump site captured Blake’s car
- Home Depot evidence: Receipts and video confirmed his purchases
“Blake initially put Stuart’s body in the large tote but later retrieved the tote, fearing it could tie him to the body,” prosecutors explained. “Police discovered the tote during a second search of Blake’s property.”
The Confession
During questioning, Blake admitted to shooting Stuart and leaving her body in the woods. This confession, combined with the physical evidence, led prosecutors to charge him with second-degree murder.
Court Proceedings
Blake’s plea deal resulted in:
- Life sentence with possibility of parole after 25 years
- Dropped charges related to body disposal and evidence tampering
The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office announced the sentence in a January 15 press release.
Mother’s Anguish
Elizabeth Stuart, the victim’s mother, delivered a powerful victim impact statement in court. She addressed Blake directly:
“To end being shot, crammed into a plastic container… loaded up like an animal… [and] dumped out like trash… is unfathomable,” Elizabeth Stuart said, describing Blake as “a rabid, savage beast.”
Additional Arrest
Jonathan P. Miller reported that Blake’s teenage son was also arrested in connection with the case. The current status of those charges remains unclear.
Key Takeaways
- Domestic violence allegations preceded the fatal shooting
- Surveillance evidence from multiple locations built the case against Blake
- A hunter’s observation of turkey vultures led to discovering the body
- Blake’s guilty plea spared the family a trial but resulted in a lengthy prison sentence
