EVERETT — Last week, a judge ordered Gary Sturdevant to stay away from his wife’s Everett-area home.
Investigators say Sturdevant ignored the order, snuck onto the property late Sunday and stabbed his wife’s boyfriend to death.
Sturdevant, 41, allegedly told detectives he wanted to kill the man for multiple reasons, but primarily he was enraged over allegations that the man sexually assaulted one of Sturdevant’s relatives, according to court papers filed Tuesday in Everett District Court.
There was no indication on Tuesday that authorities were investigating allegations against the victim.
Sturdevant was arrested Monday after a relative called 911 to report that she believed Sturdevant had hurt someone. Police were directed to a house in Everett and found Sturdevant inside. He allegedly told officers he killed someone, court papers said.
Everett police learned that Sturdevant had a court-order to stay away from his wife. They asked Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies to check on the woman at her home near Ebey Slough.
Deputies contacted the woman who was sleeping and not injured. Everett police later told deputies that Sturdevant may have stabbed his wife’s boyfriend, 46, and dragged him into some nearby woods.
Deputies discovered the man’s body outside the house.
His name has not been released.
Sturdevant was arrested and interviewed by homicide detectives. He allegedly told police that the victim and his wife became involved while Sturdevant was serving a six-month jail sentence. Sturdevant returned home and discovered someone else’s property there. He told detectives he learned that the victim had essentially moved in with his wife.
He told police he also heard that the man may have perpetrated a sexual assault against a young relative, court papers said.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.
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