Suspect In Wife's Murder Surrenders -- Man Disappeared After A Meeting

The Seattle businessman charged with murdering his wife after he was served with divorce papers turned himself in to authorities early today.

George Gehrett, 38, had been sought by Seattle police since Friday, when he disappeared after a meeting with his attorney to arrange his surrender.

Gehrett, who turned himself in at the King County Jail about 1 a.m. today, was charged Monday with second-degree murder. Bail was set at $1 million. His wife, Stephanie Rooks Gehrett, 43, has not been seen since Oct. 15, when she had divorce papers served on her husband. The couple had been experiencing marital difficulties for the past year.

Detectives believe she was struck in the head with a potted plant in the couple's business office and her body dumped in Hood Canal, where the couple has a summer home. Authorities say it's unlikely her body will ever be recovered.

The couple, married 13 years, have two sons, ages 9 and 7, and were partners, with a third person, in a trade-show equipment and set-up company.

The night Rooks Gehrett disappeared, neighbors of the couple's home at Hood Canal reported they heard a boat being dragged across the beach at the summer home.

The neighbors said they then heard an outboard motor start and later noticed the lights had been turned on in the home, but without its alarm system sounding a warning.

Kitsap County sheriff's officers visited the home and found what appeared to be blood and strands of hair on a dinghy.

A brown shoe a neighbor said looked like one the missing woman had been known to wear was found in the boat.

Police said pieces of a broken potted plant were found in the business office. Blood and hair samples were taken from the minivan used by George Gehrett.