Murder of Amanda Stavik

Whatcom County, Washington · United States · 1989

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Amanda “Mandy” Stavik, 18, left for a run in Whatcom County on 24 November 1989 and was found dead in the Nooksack River three days later. The autopsy determined drowning as the cause of death but left the manner undetermined. Timothy Forrest Bass was convicted in 2019 of first-degree murder in her death and sentenced to 320 months. The conviction was affirmed on appeal, and review was declined.

At a glance

Defendant: Timothy Forrest Bass
Charges: First-degree murder
Jurisdiction: Whatcom County, Washington

Courts and documents

Trial · State of Washington v. Timothy Forrest Bass

The original criminal prosecution this case is built around, heard in the trial court.

Whatcom County Superior Court · Whatcom County, Washington · 17-1-01619-8 · Concluded

Appeal · State of Washington, Respondent v. Timothy Bass, Appellant

A higher court's review of the trial for legal error — it decides whether the result stands; it does not re-hear the evidence.

Court of Appeals of Washington, Division One · Washington · 80156-2-I · Concluded · Docket 80156-2-I

Response
Answer / Contingent Cross Petition for Review, No. 100171-1, State v. Timothy Forrest Bass
Washington Courts — petitions for review
Filed 11 Oct 2021View document

Appeal · State of Washington, Respondent v. Timothy Forrest Bass, Petitioner

Supreme Court of the State of Washington · Washington · 100171-1 · Concluded · Docket 100171-1

Order
Order denying petition for review
Washington Supreme Court
5 Jan 2022 · estimatedView document

Timeline· 8 entries

A dated record of reported developments and proceedings.

24 Nov 1989 · Friday
1. Disappearance, investigation event
  Amanda Stavik left for a run and went missing
  whatcomcounty.us
27 Nov 1989 · Monday
1. Discovery, investigation event
  Body found in South Fork Nooksack River
  whatcomcounty.us
12 Dec 2017 · Tuesday
1. Arrest, court event
  Timothy Forrest Bass arrested
  courts.wa.gov
22 Dec 2017 · Friday
1. Plea, court event
  Bass pleaded not guilty
  courts.wa.gov
6 May 2019 · Monday
1. Trial start, court event
  Trial began with jury selection
  News report
24 May 2019 · Friday
1. Verdict, court event
  courts.wa.gov
2 Jul 2019 · Tuesday
1. Sentencing, court event
  Bass sentenced to 320 months
  courts.wa.gov
5 Jan 2022 · Wednesday
1. Court ruling, court event
  Washington Supreme Court denied petition for review
  WashingtonSupreme Court of the State of Washington

Coverage· 4 entries

Explore podcasts, documentaries, books and reporting. Save something for later or record what you've finished.

30 Jan 2026
Podcast episodeTrue Crime with Caitlyn30 Jan 2026
Cold Case SOLVED After 2 Decades - The Murder of Mandy Stavik | Ep. 34
Covers the solved 1989 murder of Amanda “Mandy” Stavik and the DNA evidence identifying Timothy Bass.
27 Feb 2023
Podcast episodeMurder With My Husband27 Feb 2023
153. Mandy Stavik - Who Could Forget
Covers the Stavik murder and the bakery coworker’s role in collecting DNA that identified Timothy Bass.
30 Nov 2019
VideoCBS / 48 Hours30 Nov 2019
Mandy Stavik: The Case No One Could Forget
A 48 Hours report on the 1989 murder of Amanda “Mandy” Stavik and the DNA case against Timothy Bass.
20 Sep 2019
VideoABC / 20/2020 Sep 2019
30 Years Searching
A two-hour 20/20 special on Stavik’s disappearance, the DNA sweep, and Bass’s conviction.

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Suggest coverage Corrections & removals

Timeline· 8 entries

24 Nov 1989 · Friday

Amanda Stavik left for a run and went missing

27 Nov 1989 · Monday

Body found in South Fork Nooksack River

12 Dec 2017 · Tuesday

Timothy Forrest Bass arrested

22 Dec 2017 · Friday

Bass pleaded not guilty

6 May 2019 · Monday

Trial began with jury selection

24 May 2019 · Friday

Jury convicted Bass

2 Jul 2019 · Tuesday

Bass sentenced to 320 months

5 Jan 2022 · Wednesday

Washington Supreme Court denied petition for review

Coverage· 4 entries