Man suspected in teen girl's death to go free

ROSEBURG, Ore. -- The only suspect in the murder of Stephanie Condon is set to be released from a Nevada jail on Wednesday.

Dale Wayne Hill has been serving a sentence for failing to register as a felon.

Hill was arrested in Nevada on March 25, the same day authorities in Douglas County announced they had found Condon’s remains.
 
Condon disappeared in 1998 when she was 14-years-old.  Her remains were found on March 13 near an abandoned logging road outside Glide, Ore.

Hill has been a suspect through much of the case but has never been charged.  He was most recently arrested on charges of failing to register as a convicted felon, which is unrelated to the Condon case.

Hill pleaded guilty to that charge and was sentenced to 30 days.  He is getting out 10 days early, however, because of good behavior and work credit, according to Kevin Phillips with the Lyon County (Nev.) Sheriff's Office.

Phillips said they have not received any word from Douglas County officials to continue to hold Hill.

Sgt. David Marshall with the Douglas County Sheriff Office confirmed that and said that at the present time, there is no plan to bring Dale Hill back to Oregon.

Marshall said there is no new information to report, and they are aware Hill is scheduled to be released soon.

Detectives have had their eyes on Hill throughout the 10 year investigation, a point Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin reiterated in March.

“Dale Hill is still considered a suspect in this case,” Hanlin said on March 25.  “There have been hundreds of leads investigated and cleared over the years.  Hill continues to be the only person the investigation has not eliminated as a suspect.”

Condon was babysitting for her cousin in Tri City the night of disappearance.

Her cousin, Cheryl Richey, came home around 1:30 a.m. and found her twins sleeping in their beds.

She also found Stephanie’s backpack, schoolbook and clothes.  Stephanie, however, was gone.

A memorial for Stephanie Condon will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.