Dexter William Stefonek
Dexter William Stefonek was born January 31, 1918, in Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI, and died by being murdered November 19, 1985, near Glendive, Dawson Co., MT, at age 67. Buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI. He is the son of John Aleck Stefonek of Minnesota, and Ethel Schultz of Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI.
Vivian E. "Viv" Abbey was born November 17, 1905, in Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI, and died December 25, 1984, in Portland, Multnomah Co., OR, at age 79. Buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI. She is the daughter of Russell Lewis Abbey of Byron, Fond du Lac Co., WI, and Agnes Anna Schmidt of the Village of Dorchester, Mayville Twp., Clark Co., WI.
Dexter William Stefonek (age 23), a bachelor, and Vivian E. "Viv" Abbey (age 35), a maiden, were married December 15, 1940, in Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI.
Dexter William Stefonek and Vivian E. "Viv" (Abbey) Stefonek had one child:
David Michael Stefonek: Born May 5, 1941, in Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI. Married (1) June 14, 1964, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Golden, Jefferson Co., CO, to Constance Jane "Connie" Stephens: Born September 19, 1942, in Charleston, Kanawha Co., WV. Divorced about 1987. Married (2) September 25, 1988, in Winlock, Lewis Co., WA, to Karen J. Rupert: Born February 16, 1950, in Winlock, Lewis Co., WA.
John Aleck Stefonek died March 3, 1928, in Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI.
Ethel May (Schultz) Stefonek then married Otis Melville Rude.
Otis Melville Rude was born November 29, 1895, in Arlington, Volga, Brookings Co., SD, and died November 13, 1971, in Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI, at age 75. He is the son of Hans Christian Gullikson Rude of Nordstun Rud Farm, Hurdal, Norway and Anna Marie Hatlestad of Beaver Twp., Fillmore Co., MN.
Otis Melville Rude and Georgia Coffield were married January 29, 1915, in Parker, Turner Co., SD.
Otis Melville Rude and Georgia Coffield had 6 children.
Georgia (Coffield) Rude died January 7, 1927, in Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI, at age 31, two days after the birth of her last child.
Otis Melville Rude then married Ethel May (Schultz) Stefonek.
Otis Melville Rude and Ethel May (Schultz) Stefonek were married February 5, 1929, in Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI.
Otis Melville Rude and Ethel May (Schultz) (Stefonek) Rude had one child:
Robert Gordon Rude: Born June 5, 1931, in Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI; Died April 20, 1992, in White Bear, Ramsey Co., MN (age 60). Married December 21, 1963, in Ramsey Co., MN, to Martha Ann Ruby: Born May 14, 1940, in Iowa.
TIMELINE
Dexter William Stefonek and Vivian E. "Viv" (Abbey) Stefonek are buried Forest Home Cemetery, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI. Thanks to Find-A-Grave for making these images available.
Otis Melville Rude was born November 29, 1895, in Volga, Brookings Co., SD.
Vivian E. Abbey was born November 17, 1905, in Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI.
The 1910 U. S. Census taken on May 5, 1910 shows Russel Abbey (age 27) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents is a Gallery Photographer who owns his own home free of a mortgage and lives at 416 Rib Street, 3rd Ward, City of Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI. Living with him is his wife of 5 years, Agnes Abbey (age 25) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents, with the only child born to her still alive. Also living there is his daughter, Vivian Abbey (age 5) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents. There is another family renting from them who lives at that address.
The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 30, 1910, shows John Schulz (age 36) born in Ohio to Polish German-born parents is a Teamster at a Saw Mill who owns his home free of a mortgage and is living at 312 North Stevens Street, 2nd Ward, City of Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI. Living with him is his wife of 11 years, Rosie Schultz (age 32) born in Wisconsin to German-born parents, with all three of the children born to her still alive. Also living there are his three children, all born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents: Steven J. Schultz (age 10); Lucy M. Schultz (age 8); and Jennie Schultz (age 4).
The New North, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI, Thursday, November 22, 1917
TRANSFERS
John Schultz and wf. to John Stefonek Ld Ct, of N1/2 of Lot 5 blk 5 of Alban's 2nd Add to Rhinelander - $700.
Dexter William Stefonek was born January 31, 1918, in Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI.
The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 7, 1920, shows Russell Abbey (age 38) born in Wisconsin to Canadian and Wisconsin-born parents, is an Automobile Salesman who owns his home, and is living at 416 Rib Street, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Anna Abbey (age 36) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents. Also living there is his daughter, Vivian Abbey (age 14) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents.
The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 12, 1920, shows John Stefonek (age 28) born in Minnesota to United States-born parents is employed and living at 532 North Stevens Street, 2nd Ward, City of Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI. Living with him is his wife Ethel Stefonek (age 28) born in Wisconsin to Minnesota-born parents. Also living there is son, Dexter Stefonek (age 1-10/12) born in Wisconsin to Minnesota and Wisconsin-born parents. A Boarder, Mahon (age 21) also lives in the house.
Vivian E. "Viv" Abbey was a member of the Rhinelander High School Class of 1923, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI.
The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 19, 1930, shows Russell L. Abbey (age 47) born in Wisconsin to Canadian and New York-born parents and first married at age 22 is an Acid Maker in a Paper Mill who owns his home and is living at 416 Rib Street, Third Ward, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Anna A. Abbey (age 45) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents and first married at age 20. Also living there are his two unmarried children, both born in Wisconsin to Wiscoonsin-born parents: Vivian Abbey (age 24), a Saleslady at a Store; and Truman Abbey (age 10).
The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 17, 1930, shows Otis Rude (age 35) born in South Dakota to Norwegian and Minnesota-born parents and first married at age 20 is a General Farmer owning his own farm valued at $2,700 and living on 607 Alison Road, 3rd Ward, City of Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI. Living with him is his wife Ethel Rude (age 34) born in Wisconsin to Minnesota-born parents who was first married at age 19. Living at home are Otis Rude's children: Velma Rude (age 14) born in South Dakota to South Dakota-born parents; Otis Rude (age 12) born in South Dakota to South Dakota-born parents; June Rude (age 9) born in Wisconsin to South Dakota-born parents; Kenneth Rude (age 8) born in Wisconsin to South Dakota-born parents; and Darrel D. Rude (age 7) born in Wisconsin to South Dakota-born parents. Also living there are the step-children of Otis, both born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents: Dexter W. Stefonek (age 12); and Walter A. Stefonek (age 7).
The 1940 U. S. Census taken on May 1, 1940, shows Russell Abbey (age 57) born in Wisconsin and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place and with 1 year of High School is a Laborer at a Paper Mill who owns his home worth $3,000 and is living at 514 Rib Street, 8th Ward, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Agnes Abbey (age 55) born in Wisconsin, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 8 years of School. Also living there are his two unmarried children: Vivian Abbey (age 34) born in Wisconsin and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place and with 4 years of High School, a Retail Store Clerk; and Truman Abbey (age 20) born in Wisconsin and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place and with 4 years of High School.
The 1940 U. S. Census taken on May 8, 1940, shows Otis Rude (age 44) born in South Dakota, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 8 years of School, is a married Salesman of Wholesale Feed who owns his home worth $2,500 and is living at 723 Pelican Street, 8th Ward, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI. Living with him are: his wife, Ethel Rude (age 42) born in Wisconsin, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 2 years of High School; his unmarried son, Otis Rude Jr. (age 23) born in South Dakota, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 4 years of High School, a Laborer at a Creamery; his unmarried daughter, June Rude (age 20) born in Wisconsin, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 4 years of High School; his unmarried son, Kenneth Rude (age 18) born in Wisconsin, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 4 years of High School; his unmarried son, Darrell Rude (age 17) born in Wisconsin, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 3 years of High School; his unmarried son, Robert Rude (age 8) born in Wisconsin, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 3 years of School; his unmarried step-son, Dexter Stefonek (age 22) born in Wisconsin, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 4 years of High School, a Laborer; and his unmarried step-son, Welter Stefonek (age 17) born in Wisconsin, and 5 years ago was living in the Same Place, and with 1 year of High School, a Laborer at the C.C.C.
The Rhinelander Daily News, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI, Tuesday, June 13, 1967
Mrs. Otis Rude, Former Mail Carrier, Dies
Mrs. Otis Rude, Sr., 70, Rte. 1, a resident of the Rhinelander area all her life and a former rural mail carrier and practical nurse, died at 2:05 a. m. today in St. Mary's Hospital after an illness of one year. Her home was in the town of Newbold. The former Ethel May Schultz was born in the town of Pine Lake Feb. 9, 1897, and she was raised in that town. She attended Rhinelander High School and in 1916 was married to John Stefonek, who was a rural mail carrier on Old Route 1, which covered the Crescent Flats region. After Mr. Stefonek's death she continued as the carrier on the same route until she married Otis Rude Sr. in 1929. She then worked as a practical nurse in the Rhinelander area for many years, retiring when Mr. Rude did in 1957. They spent the winters in Florida since then. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and the Crescent Woman's Club. Surviving are her husband, Otis Rude Sr.; three sons, Dexter Stefonek of Rhinelander, Walter Stefonek of Illinois and Robert Rude of St. Paul; two stepsons, Otis Rude Jr. of Rhinelander and Darrel Rude of Milwaukee; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Francis (June) Whittier of Wisconsin Rapids; one sister, Mrs. Catherine Auvil of Rhinelander; one brother, James Schultz of Rhinelander; 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her first husband; one son, Harold Stefonek; one stepson, Kenneth Rude; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Louis (Velma) Hamilton, and two brothers, Charles and John Schultz. Funeral services will be held at 1 p. m. Thursday in the Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Walter A. Olson officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call at the Carlson Funeral Home after 3 p. m. Wednesday and Thursday until 11 a. m.
The Rhinelander Daily News, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI, November 15, 1971
OBITUARIES
Otis Rude Sr.
Otis Rude, Sr., 75, Rhinelander, died Saturday at the Friendly Village. He was born Nov. 29, 1895, in Arlington, S. Dak. and was raised there moving to Rhinelander in 1919. He was employed by the Juday and Willis for many years and also worked in the shipping department of Daniels Mfg. until his retirement in 1958. Survivors include: one daughter, Mrs. Francis (June) Whittier of Wisconsin Rapids; three sons, Otis, Jr. of Rhinelander, Darrell of Milwaukee and Robert of White Bear Lake, Minn.; two step sons, Dexter and Walter Stefonek, both of Rhinelander; one brother, Norman Rude of Albuquerque, New Mex.; one sister, Mrs. Agnes Asborne of Sioux Falls, S. Dak.; 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 1 p. m. Tuesday in the Carlson Funeral Home with the Rev. Arnold W. Vocke officiating. Interment will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p. m. today and Tuesday until the hour of service.
Vivian E. "Viv" (Abbey) Stefonek died December 25, 1984, in Portland, Multnomah Co., OR, at age 79. Buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI.
The Rhinelander Daily News, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI, January 4, 1985
Vivian Stefonek
Vivian Abbey Stefonek, 79, of Rhinelander, died Dec. 25 in Portland, Ore. She was born in Rhinelander Nov. 17, 1905. Mrs. Stefonek married Dexter Stefonek Dec. 15, 1940. She is survived by her husband; one son, David; and two granddaughters, Karen and Krista. A memorial service for Mrs. Stefonek will be held Monday at 2 p. m. at the Rhinelander Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Our Town, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI, January 6, 1985
VIVIAN STEFONEK, 79, formerly of Rhinelander, died Tuesday, December 25, 1984, in Portland, Oregon, April 3, 1987. She was born November 17, 1905. Survivors include her husband, Dexter; son, David; and granddaughters, Karen and Krista. A memorial service will be held Monday, January 7, 1985, at 2 p. m., in the Rhinelander Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Dexter William Stefonek died November 19, 1985, in Glendive, Dawson Co., MT, at age 67. Buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI.
Dexter William Stefonek Death Certificate.
Dexter Stefonek
Memorial services will be 4 p.m. Saturday at the Seventh Day Adventist Church with Rev. Clinton Meharry officiating for Dexter Stefonek, 67, of Rhinelander who died November of 1985. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Stefonek was born January 31, 1918 in Rhinelander. He is survived by one son, David of Corbett, Oregon; a brother, Walter, of Fruitland Park, Florida; a step-sister, June Harti of Mesa, Arizona; two step-brothers, Otis Rude, Jr. of Rhinelander and Darrell Rude of Milwauke; one half-brother, Robert Rude of St. Paul, Minnesota; and two grandchildren. Stefonek was born and raised in Rhinelander and was a lifelong resident. He married the late Vivian Abbey of Rhinelander. He was employed by the Rhinelander Paper Company and was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Carlson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
From: Terri Rickert in Australia, June 16, 2017
Sometime in the early morning hours of a bitterly cold November morning Dexter pulled off Interstate 94 and into the parking lot of the Bad Route rest area in western Dawson County where he went to sleep in his car. At approximately 10:20 a.m. that morning Dexter's EMPTY car was found “engulfed in flames". Dexter Stefonek was kidnapped (from Bad Route Rest Area Glendive, Montana.) severely beaten, then shot twice, execution-style, in the back of the head with a large-caliber pistol. The first shot went into the strap muscles of his neck. The second shot was fatal. On the 8th March 1986 Dexter's remains where found, when a foot sticking out from under a mattress was seen at a Private Dump site located approximately two miles west of the Whoopup Creek exit and 17 miles from the rest area. Dexter's Murder still after 32 years (as at 2017) has NOT been solved. David and Karen live on NE Evans Rd Corbett which was named after my Cousin, Toot Evans (1892- 1987) who also use to live on Evans Rd. Corbett.
The Rhinelander Daily News, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI, November 21, 1985
Rhinelander man missing in Montana
GLENDIVE, Mont. - The Dawson County, Mont., sheriff's office Wednesday issued a missing person's report on Dexter Stefonek, 67, of Rhinelander, whose car was found destroyed by fire Tuesday west of Glendive. Stefonek was alone when he left Portland, Ore., Monday, the sheriff's office reported. His car, a 1964 Plymouth, was found engulfed in flames about noon Monday at a rest area along Interstate 94. Origin of the fire is suspicious, the sheriff's office said. Stefonek was described as about 5-foot-6, with curly blond hair, blue eyes and wearing glasses.
The Rhinelander Daily News, Rhinelander, Oneida Co., WI, April 3, 1986
Memorial services will be 4 p. m. Saturday at the Seventh Day Adventist Church with Rev. Clinton Maharry officiating for Dexter Stefonek, 67, of Rhinelander who died in November of 1985. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Stefonek was born January 31, 1918 in Rhinelander. He is survived by one son, David, of Corbett, Oregon; a brother, Walter, of Fruitland Park, Florida; a step-sister, June Hartt of Mesa, Arizona; two step-brothers, Otis Rude, Jr., of Rhinelander and Darrell Rude, of Milwaukee; one half-brother, Robert Rude of St. Paul, Minnesota, and two grandchildren. Stefonek was born and raised in Rhinelander and was a lifelong resident. He married the late Vivian Abbey of Rhinelander. He was employed by the Rhinelander Paper Company and was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Carlson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Our Town, Rhinelander, Oneida Co, WI, April 6, 1986
DEXTER STEFONEK, 67, of Forest Lane Road, Rhinelander, died November 1985, in Montana. He is survived by his son, David, of Corbett, Oregon; stepsister, June Hartt of Mesa, Arizona; two step brothers, Otis Rude Jr. of Rhinelander and Darrell Rude, of Milwaukee; half brother, Robert Rude of St. Paul, MN, nephew, Dennis Stefonek; and two grandchildren. The Rev. Clinton Meharry officiated at the funeral services held April 5, 1986 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Burial is in Forest Home Cemetery. He was raised in Rhinelander and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Rhinelander High School and married the late Vivian Abbey. She preceded him in death on December 25, 1984. He was employed by the Rhinelander Paper Company until his retirement. He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. (Carlson Funeral Service, Inc).
I just watched this case on crystaldawn's DVDs volume 2. There's something "off" about this one, and I can't quite put my finger on it. kadrmas15's suggestion that it was a serial killer certainly seems to be the conclusion that would make the most sense, but there is a lot that is unusual about this one. For those who haven't seen it in awhile, a brief summary: a depressed old man named Dexter Stefonek is out in Oregon basically living with his son, but as the first anniversary of his wife's death approaches, he longs to return home to Wisconsin. One day, in the middle of winter, he begins the 2,000 mile journey. The next evidence found of the man is his car, burning at a rest stop. He is not inside. Witnesses at the rest stop include its caretaker and a highway maintenance worker. When the caretaker arrived, a white truck with green trim and Arizona plates was parked in the rest stop area. There was no one around. This was around 8 AM. Next, a highway worker stopped into the rest stop, and he too saw the truck, but now Dexter Stefonek's car is present. Again, there is no sign of the old man, but there is a younger man carrying what appear to be two milk jugs of gasoline. He explains to the highway worker that he ran out of gas. The next thing eyewitnesses report is Dexter's car ablaze, with the white truck nowhere to be found. Three months later, at a remote dump site some distance away from the rest stop, some of Dexter's belongings are found scattered about, including his driver's license and a suitcase with money in it. Eventually, underneath an old mattress, Dexter himself is found. Dexter is thought to have been dead and in the location for the previous three months (based on the level of decomposition, no doubt), but his belongings, according to the people who regularly looked after the dump site, were not there until the week they were discovered. This leads to the important question: where were Dexter Stefonek's belongings during the three "missing" months? And why had the killer come back to dump them so long after the murder, but without having taken money that was in the suitcase, despite having held on to the suitcase for three months? These are the questions Stack rhetorically asks, of course, but I think there are simpler answers than the segment makes out. What makes the most sense is that everything (the body and Dexter's belongings) were dumped at the same time, buried under a pile of other junk. Someone came along and began to pick through the dump, pulling out and finding the various items, before finally coming across Dexter's body. This person got scared and left without notifying authorities (probably because he was illegally at the dump site), scattering some of the stuff he had picked through in the process. Perhaps it was further scattered by stiff plains winds. What does not make sense to me, however, is what the killer was doing precisely. Why would he evidently wait in a rest stop for somebody, commandeer his car, drive it off somewhere, murder its original occupant and dump his body and belongings, then come back and switch back to his original car, burning the hijacked car in the process? Robbery was not a motive, because the suit case had not been picked through enough to discover the money that was inside it. If the killer truly was out of gas (quite possible), what would drive him to kill somebody just to get control of his vehicle long enough to go get gas? What bothers me is the motive seems so trivial, and the resulting cover-up of the crime so necessarily elaborate, and all for what? It almost makes me wonder if Dexter was followed from some location for some reason, until he pulled over into the rest stop. Perhaps road rage, an incident out on the highway? It just doesn't make much sense to kill the first guy who comes along, then go to all that trouble to dump the body and burn the car, over MAYBE getting a little gasoline. There was no sex crime here, from what the segment gave to us as details, so the motive is truly obscure.
First aired: 4/12/1989
Cases include:Unexplained Death: A trip from Oregon to Wisconsin goes awry when Dexter Stefonek's car is found engulfed in flames in Montana. His body was later found dumped in a remote landfill; he had been shot twice in the head.
Dexter Stefonek set out to drive across country back to his home after a visit with his son. His body was later found in a dump site and his car set on fire. Who is responsible and why would they target this seemingly defenseless old man?
Dexter Stefonek: Elderly man set to drive home after a visit with his relatives was later found murdered and his car set on fire. Searching for killer.
Recent Deaths Beverly A. Hanson Beverly A. Hanson, 49, of South Elgin passed away Friday, March 12, 2004 in her home. She was born on May 8, 1954 in Belvidere, Illinois, the daughter of Walter and Alice (Fish) Stefonek. Beverly was a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, and will be dearly missed. Graduate of Larkin High School in 1972. A member of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren. Survivors include her husband, Frank of South Elgin; three children, John Thomas, Jessica Perkins and Rebecca Combs; two step children, Michele and Dave Hanson; three grandchildren, Simmia Pearson, Michael Pearson and Coral Combs; two brothers, Dennis (Josie) and Scott Stefonek; a sister, Diane (Norman) Dowlen; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Steven Stefonek. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 2 PM in the Laird Funeral Home, Elgin with Rev. Carl Myers officiating. Burial will be private. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 12 Noon until the time of services in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation.
Beverly A. Hanson of South Elgin Funeral services for Beverly A. Hanson, 49, of South Elgin, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, at the Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St., Elgin. The Rev. Carl Myers will officiate. Born May 8, 1954, in Belvidere, the daughter of Walter and Alice (nee Fish), Stefonek, she passed away Friday, March 12, 2004, at her home. Burial will be private. Beverly was a graduate of Larkin High School in 1972 and a member of the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother and will be dearly missed. Survivors include her husband, Frank of South Elgin; children, John Thomas, Jessica Perkins and Rebecca Combs; stepchildren, Michele and Dave Hanson; grandchildren, Simmia Pearson, Michael Pearson and Coral Combs; brothers, Dennis (Josie) and Scott Stefonek; sister, Diane (Norman) Dowlen; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Steven Stefonek. Visitation will be from noon until the time of services Wednesday, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation. Friends may visit www.dailyherald.com/obits to express condolences and sign the guest book. For funeral information, (847)741-8800. Published in the Chicago Suburban Daily Herald from 3/14/2004 - 3/15/2004.
The Victim
Dexter was born January 31, 1918. He married Vivian Abbey, and the couple moved to Oregon. On Christmas Day 1984, Vivian died. Dexter was heartbroken, and moved in with his son David in Wisconsin, staying for almost a year. However, he became despondent as the one year anniversary of her death approached, and left his son's home in Wisconsin and elected to drive the 2000 miles to his home in Oregon. He told his son he would save time by not stopping at motels, but by spending nights at rest stops in his Plymouth Horizon.
The Murder
On the morning of November 19, 1985, witnesses report a white Chevrolet 4X4 with a wide horizontal blue stripe, Arizona plates and a Phoenix plate holder sitting at the Bad Route Rest Area, in Glendive Montana, a city in Dawson County, close to 8 A.M. Soon, a light complected, clean shaven man in his mid thirties to early forties arrived in Dexter's car. He was carrying two large jugs full of gasoline. He claimed he had needed the gas for his truck to a highway maintenance official, who then proceeded to leave the man alone. An hour or so later, Dexter's car was found in flames at the rest area. Gasoline was used as an accelerant, but no other clues were found as to the whereabouts of Dexter.
The Body
Four months later, a local couple dumping trash at a remote landfill seventeen miles from the rest area discovered the wallet of Dexter Stefonek, along with his suitcase, toiletry kit, boot, and various other clothes and traveling paraphernalia belonging to him. These items seemed out of place in the dump, and in the course of searching for additional things like them, the couple stumbled upon the body of Dexter Stefonek. He had been shot twice in the head, and was concealed under a mattress. Oddly, investigators determined that the body had been in the dump for the entire four month span since the murder, while locals maintained that Dexter's belongings had been there for less than a week before the discovery of the body. While it is possible that it is a coincidence and the items were there all along and no one found them because they were covered up in the dump, possibly unearthed by someone too nervous to report the body. Of course, it is probable that the suspect had them the whole time, since no one reported finding them beforehand.
Theories
The official theory of the murder is that the suspect was already at the rest stop when Dexter arrived, sometime around 7 A.M. The suspect then carjacked Dexter, taking him to an unidentified location and killing him, then taking his car back to the rest stop, torched it to cover up evidence of the crime, then left in his truck.
The suspect has only been identified by the rough physical details about him, the description of his truck, and a line of graffiti etched into the wall of the men's bathroom of the rest stop. It refers to a shooting, the state of Wisconsin (Dexter's home state), the month and year of the killing, and other details not released by law enforcement. The graffiti writer referred to himself as 'Hot Jock', which police postulate is a CB handle.
The seemingly motiveless nature of the crime (Money in Dexter's briefcase was untouched, so robbery seems to have been unlikely) has caused investigators to suspect the case is one involving a serial killer, or some other kind of psychopath killing purely for thrill. It is recommended that you contact your local law enforcement if you have any information.