Sword and Scale Episode 285 Summary

Title: The Dark Ritual: The Murder of Sherry Harlan
Host: Sword and Scale
Release Date: April 6, 2025

Introduction to the Case

In Season 12, Episode 285 of Sword and Scale, listeners delve into the harrowing true crime case of Sherry Harlan, a 35-year-old woman whose life was brutally taken in Everett, Washington, on New Year's Day. The podcast meticulously unpacks the sequence of events leading to her disappearance, the gruesome discovery of her body, and the subsequent investigation that unveiled the darkest facets of human nature.

Disappearance and Initial Investigation

Sherry Harlan was last seen leaving her shift at JCPenney on January 1st, 2010. Concerned coworkers noticed her absence and initiated a welfare check. When detectives, including former Deputy District Attorney Craig Matheson, arrived at Sherry's Cedar Creek Apartments, they were met with a scene of chaos:

• Evidence Found:
  • Heavy bleach odor
  • Removed linoleum and carpeting
  • Blood spatter covering the bedroom walls in a 360-degree radius
  • A bloody footprint on a T-shirt
  • A futon mattress with knife-induced cuts
  • Human tissue on nitrile gloves

Detective Matheson remarked, “[02:58] I was a deputy prosecuting attorney for Snohomish County. I did that for 35 years and retired in June of 2024.” The absence of Sherry and her dog Roscoe indicated a horrifying reality—Sherry had been murdered.

Identifying the Suspect: Eric Christensen

The investigation quickly centered on Eric Christensen, Sherry's boyfriend, due to eyewitness reports:

• Description of Eric Christensen:
  • Height: Approximately 6'2" or 6'3"
  • Weight: Around 220 lbs
  • Balding with a short haircut
  • Long chin beard, often braided
  • Frequently wore kilts, citing Scottish heritage

During an interview at [09:44], Detective introduced Eric Christensen, highlighting his distinctive appearance and past criminal record, including a 1990 conviction for statutory rape and forgery in Oregon, and a 1994 incident where he attempted to murder his ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend.

Relationship Dynamics and Wiccan Rituals

Eric and Sherry's relationship was tumultuous, especially after Sherry secured full-time employment at JCPenney, which strained their cohabitation. Eric's deep involvement with the Wiccan religion, specifically the Aquarian Tabernacle temple, played a pivotal role in their interactions.

• The Blood Oath Ritual:
  • At [25:14], Eric describes the ritual: “We put up a barrier. And so that’s where we do all our good stuff...”
  • The ritual involved casting a circle with ceremonial tools, including:
    • Asami: A ceremonial dagger used exclusively for rituals
    • Wands: For casting the circle
    • Incense, Chalice, Sea Salt, Bowls: Essential for creating a positive energy barrier

During the ritual, Eric compelled Sherry to make a personal vow to cease communication and financial ties with her "sugar daddy," Dan Young, leading to heightened tensions.

The Murder

On the morning after New Year's Eve, January 2nd, tensions culminated in violence:

• Incident Details:
  • Sherry was at work; Eric retrieved her from JCPenney that evening.
  • While Sherry showered, Eric discovered her continued communication with Dan Young.
  • Enraged by what he perceived as a betrayal, Eric assaulted Sherry with a butcher knife, resulting in multiple fatal wounds.

Detective Matheson narrates, "[55:37] The morning of January 1, 2010... that was when Christensen decides to kill her."

Body Disposal and Ryan Gesme's Involvement

Following the murder, Eric enlisted Ryan Gesme, a fellow Wiccan and friend, to assist in disposing of Sherry's remains:

• Disposal Process:
  • Ryan drove Eric to various locations to bury Sherry's body parts.
  • Despite the gruesome task, Ryan appeared detached, offering little emotional response.
  • They scattered Sherry's body across different sites, leaving minimal traces.

At [37:27], Ryan disclosed, “He told me he locked his keys in the car... I need your help,” leading to his unwitting involvement in the cover-up.

Breakthrough and Arrest

A pivotal moment occurred when Ryan contacted law enforcement, revealing his and Eric's involvement in disposing of Sherry's body. This confession provided the evidence needed to:

• Search Warrants Issued:
  • Eric's guest house and vehicle were searched.
  • Evidence Found:
    • Blood-spattered blue jeans and tennis shoes matching footprints at Sherry's apartment
    • Blood stains in Eric's car and a cleaning supplies shopping list
    • Receipts from various stores indicating purchase of ritual tools

Detective Matheson stated, “[48:52] Inside of Christensen's home, they found a pair of blue jeans that had fairly extensive blood spatter on it...”

Trial and Conviction

The trial, lasting 16 intense days, presented overwhelming evidence against Eric Christensen:

• Key Evidence:
  • Physical evidence linking Eric to the crime scene
  • Ryan Gesme's testimony detailing the disposal of Sherry's body parts
  • Sherry's bloody footprints matching Eric's footwear

Despite Eric's attempts to manipulate and project a facade of Wiccan spirituality, the jury found him guilty of multiple counts of murder. Eric's demeanor during the verdict was chilling, as described by Detective Matheson: “[58:53] The verdict had been announced... he kind of cackled in a very loud fashion.”

Aftermath and Reflections

The episode concludes by reflecting on the nature of evil and deception:

• Eric Christensen: A man with a violent past, whose obsession with control and misguided beliefs led to Sherry's tragic demise.
• Ryan Gesme: Initially appearing as a counterpart in the ritual, later revealed to have his own dark history, having been convicted of child molestation in 2019 and subsequently changing his name to Creed in 2024.

Detective Matheson muses on the case's impact, “[50:46] It's difficult to get inside of Eric Christensen's brain... but I was just glad that it was there when the police showed up.”

Conclusion

Sherry Harlan's story serves as a grim reminder of the lurking monstrosity within seemingly ordinary individuals. Eric Christensen's facade as a Wiccan belied his true, violent nature, culminating in a murder that shattered lives and echoed through the community. Sword and Scale masterfully unravels the layers of this dark case, posing the unsettling question: "Is it us versus them? Or are we just like 'them' too?"

Notable Quotes:

• Detective Craig Matheson ([02:58]): "I was a deputy prosecuting attorney for Snohomish County. I did that for 35 years and retired in June of 2024."
• Eric Christensen ([16:21]): "Now, the way I believe, if you're with somebody, you're with somebody. If you have a sugar daddy, even though it's not sexual, that's still cheating on a person, right?"
• Detective Matheson ([55:37]): "The morning of January 1, 2010... that was when Christensen decides to kill her."
• Ryan Gesme ([37:27]): "He told me he locked his keys in the car... I need your help."

Disclaimer: Sword and Scale contains graphic content and is intended for mature audiences. Listener discretion is advised.