Timothy Bass serving a three-decade prison term for 1989 murder of Mandy Stavik
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Bass on trial for Stavik’s death
Timothy Bass was convicted in Whatcom County Superior Court for the 1989 murder of Amanda Stavik.
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With the conclusion of one of Whatcom County’s most notorious cold cases earlier this year, Timothy Forrest Bass has begun serving his prison sentence after kidnapping, raping and murdering Amanda “Mandy” Stavik nearly 30 years ago.
Bass, 51, is currently incarcerated in the Clallam Bay Corrections Center on the Olympic Peninsula, according to the Washington State Department of Corrections.
Bass is under ‘close custody’, meaning he has more supervision, less freedom of movement and limits on personal property and programs he can attend, according to Janelle Guthrie, a DOC spokesperson.
Bass has not had any infractions since he was transferred to the prison in early July, Guthrie said. Bass’ tentative release from prison is scheduled for January 2036.
CBS News’ “48 Hours” will premiere “Mandy Stavik: The Case No One Could Forget,” a one-hour special on the case at 10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30.
ABC’s investigative series “20/20” premiered “30 Years Searching,” a two-hour special on the case Friday, Sept. 20.
Bass, of Everson, was sentenced July 2 to nearly 27 years in prison for Stavik’s death after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in late May in Whatcom County Superior Court. The jury also found Bass guilty of special verdicts for first-degree rape, attempted first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping and attempted first-degree kidnapping at his three-week trial.
Stavik disappeared Nov. 24, 1989, while jogging near her home on Strand Road in Clipper, near Acme. Three days later, the 18-year-old’s nude body was found in the south fork of the Nooksack River.
Bass appealed his conviction days after sentencing. His case is still pending, according to court records.
Stavik’s family said that while there will never be closure for her death, the pain of trial was worth it and that they hope to heal after her killer’s conviction.
Some of the major points from Bass’ arrest, trial and subsequent conviction for Stavik’s 1989 murder include:
- Bass was arrested Dec. 12, 2017, on suspicion of first-degree murder 28 years after Stavik’s death. Court records show Bass watched cold case files television shows and bragged he wouldn’t be caught for murder.
Bass is charged with first-degree murder, and later first-degree rape. The rape charge was later dismissed over statute of limitations concerns.
Details emerge about Kim Wagner, Bass’ coworker who collected a plastic cup and Coke can Bass discarded. Wagner gave the items to detectives. Bass’ DNA was a match to the suspect profile, leading to his arrest and ultimate his conviction.
A Whatcom County Superior Court judge rules that Bass’ DNA can be introduced during trial.
After a year of hearings, Bass’ trial was officially scheduled to take place in spring 2019.
The court took great lengths to ensure they could seat a fair and impartial jury for Bass’ trial.
As Bass’ trial begins., his defense attorneys said there was zero evidence to suggest Bass killed Stavik and that her death was a mystery. Prosecutors said Bass asked his family members to lie so he could have a strong alibi.
Stavik’s mother, Mary, testified, saying there was no reason for her daughter not to return home that day. Friends, family and neighbors also detailed Stavik’s last-known whereabouts the day she disappeared.
Former Whatcom County Sheriff Chief Civil Deputy Ron Peterson testified about recovering Stavik’s body and collecting and preserving the DNA evidence that linked Bass to Stavik’s murder.
Tom Bass said that his older brother, Timothy Bass, asked him to lie for him multiple times over the past several years, including asking him to say that he too had a relationship with Stavik and that they were out Christmas shopping the day Stavik was abducted.
Kim Wagner testified about collecting and turning over the cup and Coke can. Bass’ ex-wife, Gina Malone, said that Bass asked to blame Stavik’s death on his dead father. Malone was initially set to be Bass’ alibi witness.
After six days of testimony, the prosecution rested its case against Bass.
An expert witness for Bass refuted the Whatcom County medical examiner’s finding that Bass raped Stavik hours prior to her death.
The defense rested its case after presenting a witness that said Stavik took a different jogging route than her normal route the day she disappeared.
The prosecution and defense both gave closing arguments. The prosecution asked the jury to hold Bass accountable for his actions, while his defense attorneys argued Stavik’s death was a mystery and that the two had a consensual sexual relationship.
A jury finds Bass guilty on May 24, 2019, of first-degree murder for Stavik’s death.
Bass, who did not testify during his trial, maintained his innocence before being sentenced to nearly 27 years in prison on July 2, 2019.
This story was originally published September 20, 2019 at 10:37 AM.
