Monroe Man Charged With Murder

EVERETT - An 18-year-old Monroe man has been charged in connection with the death of a Mount Vernon man whose body was found Sunday in his burned-out car east of Monroe.

Aaron Howerton was charged yesterday in Everett District Court with first-degree murder in the death of Wilder Eby, 21, who was killed by a gunshot to the head.

Eby was reported missing by his parents May 3, after he failed to show up for work at the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station barbershop.

According to an affidavit for a search warrant, the two men and a group of other friends, including Eby's 14-year-old girlfriend, drove to Wenatchee in Eby's car May 1. During the trip, Howerton reportedly passed around a semiautomatic handgun. Sheriff's deputies said the killing and fire apparently occurred after Eby's car stereo and bank cards were stolen.

Howerton was being held without bail yesterday in the Snohomish County Jail. Another suspect, a teenager, was being

sought.