William Glen Blake, 56, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the killing of 38-year-old Jennifer Ruth Stuart
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An Oregon man was sentenced to life in prison after killing his girlfriend and hiding her body in the woods, authorities said.
William Glen Blake, 56, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years, according to a press release shared by the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday, Jan. 15.
According to the release, Blake shot his 38-year-old girlfriend, Jennifer Ruth Stuart, at his Oregon City home on Aug. 14, 2025. He then went to Home Depot and bought a large tote, garbage bags and gloves — purchases prosecutors said later tied him to the crime.
Stuart’s remains were found on Sept. 1, 2025, after a couple hunting in the woods off Hillockborn Road spotted turkey vultures swarming an area. An autopsy determined Stuart died from a gunshot and noted an apparent entry wound in the lower left side of her body, per the release.
Prosecutors said the investigation led authorities to suspect Blake because of his alleged history of physical abuse against Stuart. A neighbor claimed to police that Blake regularly assaulted her, they added.
Surveillance video from the Home Depot and from the area near where Stuart’s remains were found captured Blake’s car and last known movements.
“Blake initially put Stuart’s body in the large tote but later retrieved the tote, fearing it could tie him to the body,” prosecutors said. “Police discovered the tote during a second search of Blake’s property.”
While speaking to investigators, Blake admitted to shooting Stuart and leaving her body in the woods, the release states.
The victim’s mother, Elizabeth Stuart, confronted her daughter’s killer in Clackamas County Circuit Court, describing him as “a rabid, savage beast” in her victim impact statement.
“To end being shot, crammed into a plastic container … loaded up like an animal … [and] dumped out like trash … is unfathomable,” she told the court, per the release.
According to the D.A.’s office, other charges — including those tied to the disposal of Stuart’s body and tampering with evidence — were dropped as part of the plea deal, KPTV reported.
The outlet also reported that Blake’s teenage son was arrested in connection with the case, but the status of those charges remain unclear.