Accused killer scattered body parts, prosecutors say

A man who was charged Friday with killing his ex-girlfriend earlier this month asked a friend to drive him around a rural area of Snohomish County so he could dispose of the victim's dismembered body, according to prosecutors.

The friend led police to numerous places around the Reiter Road gravel pit, east of Gold Bar, where the body parts were recovered by investigators, prosecutors said in court documents. Some had been buried and some had been left on the ground, according to court documents.

Eric Christensen, 40, of Gold Bar, was charged in Snohomish Superior Court on Friday with first-degree murder in the slaying of his 35-year-old girlfriend, Sherry Harlan.

Prosecutors say Harlan was killed sometime between the Jan. 2 and 3 after Christensen found a text message from another man on Harlan's cellphone.

Christensen told police the text message was evidence Harlan had broken a "Wiccan blood oath" she'd made to break off a relationship with the other man, prosecutors allege.

Harlan was reported missing Jan. 5 by a co-worker after she failed to show up at work at JC Penney at the Alderwood mall.

Responding officers found blood and an overwhelming smell of bleach in her apartment south of Everett. Her car was missing.

Harlan's friends and neighbors told police she had been afraid that Christensen would beat her to a "bloody pulp" if she tried to break up with him, prosecutors say.

Harlan's burned-out car was found Jan. 7 on Reiter Road, off Highway 2.

Two days later, a friend of Christensen's called police to say he'd helped him dispose of Harlan's dismembered body. The friend led police to the places where Christensen had left the remains.

Prosecutors said it's unlikely the friend will face charges.

Prosecutors said they are seeking a $5 million bail for Christensen, a Level 1 sex offender with convictions for domestic violence, assault and forgery, who is being held in Snohomish County Jail.

Christensen was charged earlier this month with second-degree murder in Everett District Court, but the charge was upgraded when the case was moved to Superior Court.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com