EVERETT, Wash. – The case of a missing Everett woman is now being called a homicide and the victim's ex-boyfriend has been arrested.
Sherry Harlan, 35, failed to show up for work. Friends say that is unusual since she is very punctual and responsible. A concerned co-worker called police Tuesday to say she had not been to work for two to three days.
A Snohomish County sheriff's deputy went to Harlan's unit Cedar Creek Apartments, located in the 11000 block of Highway 99, Tuesday night, but there was no answer. She remains missing.
The ex-boyfriend, a 40-year-old Gold Bar man, was arrested Thursday for investigation of second-degree murder and booked into the Snohomish County Jail.
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office say detectives focused on the ex-boyfriend early in the investigation. Friends and neighbors say he had beaten Harlan before, and she was afraid to break up with him for fear he would come after her and kill her.
Another neighbor reported hearing yelling and fighting on Saturday from Harlan's apartment.
On Wednesday, detectives say the searched the suspect's home and car and found bloody clothing, believed to belong to the suspect. They also say the suspect had numerous scratches on his face, forearms, shoulder and lower back, and a stab wound on his right knee.
Detectives say portions of vinyl and carpet taken from Harlan's apartment show that there was an attempt to clean up the unit.
The suspect is a Level 1 sex offender with a 1990 conviction in Oregon for first-degree sexual abuse. His criminal history includes convictions for assault and domestic violence.
Family reacts to arrest
Jason Knoke says his sister could light up a room with her smile.
"She is exhuberant," he said.
But he's been missing Sherry Harlan's smile for days, and doesn't know what to think about news of an arrest in her murder.
"I'm in disbelief that this would even happen," he said.
"My sister was full of life," said Knoke. "I loved her very very much. My sister had touched so many people, stop and think, start getting upset."
Deputies are asking for the public's help for any information about Harlan. Harlan's vehicle is also missing. The car is a blue-gray 1989 Nissan Sentra with four doors, with the Washington license plate 928 RVN.
