Jeffrey Phebus is sentenced in Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett on Monday to more than 31 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Rebecca Phebus. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Jeffrey Phebus is sentenced in Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett on Monday to more than 31 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Rebecca Phebus. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

‘No words’: Arlington man sentenced for killing wife at work

Jeffery Phebus, 61, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. He was sentenced to 31â…” years in prison Monday.

EVERETT — Rebecca Phebus always put her children first.

When money was tight, she made sure her two sons had food to eat, even if there wasn’t enough for her, son Jeff Graves wrote in a letter to a judge Monday.

The Arlington woman was killed by her estranged husband two years ago this month.

On May 24, 2019, Jeffery Phebus shot and killed Rebecca Phebus, 57, at the south Everett plastics manufacturer Achilles, according to charging papers.

Achilles had fired the Arlington man a month earlier “for a threat of violence to an employee — presumably a reference to Rebecca,” according to the charges.

Jeffery Phebus was sentenced Monday in Snohomish County Superior Court to 31⅔ years in prison for first-degree murder.

Rebecca Phebus “should be alive today, spending Mother’s Day with everyone who loves her. May should be a happy time,” Graves wrote in a letter read aloud in court Monday. “Now it’s just a reminder of another Mother’s Day without her joy, another birthday on May 15 that she cannot celebrate, and of course the constant reminder of the day she was murdered.”

Jeffery Phebus, 61, began harassing and threatening his estranged wife in January 2019, when she moved out of their Arlington home, according to police reports. He threatened Graves, too, the son said.

“I still have a protection order in place, and he has not once recanted his threat to kill me. I know for a fact he is capable, willing and evil enough to carry out his final threat against me,” Graves wrote. “Mr. Phebus caused us to run from our home multiple times, he caused us to not see my children due to their safety. … I had to install a security camera system in order to simply try to sleep, because any noise I heard could be him trying to kill my family.”

On the day he shot Rebecca Phebus, the estranged husband donned a company jacket and entered his former workplace. He went to a maintenance building where she worked, grabbed her and pointed a gun at her. Witnesses saw him pull the trigger.

Jeffery Phebus served as the vice president of the Downtown Arlington Business Association in 2016. He was well liked in the business community, said Bill Dettrich, a DABA board member who worked closely with the defendant-to-be.

“It shocked all of us — it shocked the whole board. I was totally surprised when I heard what happened. It’s just crazy,” Dettrich said in late April. “At the time, I would have called him my friend. We were all friends. That’s how we got stuff done.”

The estranged husband pleaded guilty to premeditated murder April 20. He admitted to committing the crime while armed with a firearm, adding a mandatory five years to his sentence.

Superior Court Judge Jennifer Langbehn asked Jeffery Phebus if he would like to say anything before she imposed a sentence Monday. He paused, then turned his body 180 degrees to face Graves in the courtroom gallery.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

He said nothing else.

Under state guidelines, Jeffery Phebus faced 25 to 31⅔ years behind bars. In the plea deal, defense attorneys Christine Olson and Caroline Mann agreed with deputy prosecutor Matthew Pittman in suggesting a sentence at the high end of that range.

“The defendant forced Rebecca to live her final months under great fear for her life, and when he finally chose to snatch it from her and her loved ones, it was the result of deliberate planning and action,” Pittman wrote in the state’s sentencing memorandum.

Separate harassment charges were dropped in Island County as part of the plea agreement.

“Words failed me as I searched for something that might bring comfort or solace to Becky Phebus’s family,” Langbehn told the courtroom Monday. “And I realized that there were no words that the court could offer.”

Ellen Dennis: 425-339-3486; edennis@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterellen.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Oliver Popa, 7, poses with his book, "Drippey Plants a Garden," on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds 7-year-old publishes children’s book featuring ‘Drippey’ the bee

Oliver Popa’s first grade teacher said he should publish a longer version of a writing assignment. A year later, his mother — a publisher — helped made it happen.

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Percy Levy, who served 17 years for drug-related crimes, outside his new business Redemption Auto along Highway 99 on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett man, arrested on drugs, weapons charges, moved to federal detention

In addition to Percy Levy, U.S. marshals transferred a second suspect in the case to federal custody.

2025 Emerging Leader Anthony Hawley (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Anthony Hawley: Creating friendships and filling pantries

Since 2021, Hawley has increased donations to Lake Stevens Community Food Bank through fundraising and building donor relationships.

Gary Petershagen
Lake Stevens council member announces reelection run

Gary Petershagen is seeking a third term on the council.

2025 Emerging Leader Megan Kemmett (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Megan Kemmett: Seeking solutions to any problem or obstacle

Executive director of Snohomish Community Food Bank overcomes obstacles to keep people fed.

Director for the Snohomish County Health Department Dennis Worsham leads a short exercise during the Edge of Amazing event on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department faces up to $3.4 million in cuts

The two federal grants provided funding for immunizations and disease prevention awareness efforts.

2025 Emerging Leader DeLon Lewis (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
DeLon Lewis: Helping students succeed

Program specialist for Everett Community College believes leadership is about building bridges.

Daron Johnson, who runs Snohomish County Scanner, stands next to his scanner setup on Tuesday, April 1 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Snohomish County law enforcement to encrypt police airwaves

The plan for civilian police scanners to go dark pushed a host to shut down his popular breaking news feed.

Richie Gabriel, 1, jumps off the bottom of the slide as Matthew Gabriel looks down at him from the play structure at Hummingbird Hill Park on Monday, March 31, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds residents show up for Hummingbird Hill Park, Frances Anderson Center

After a two-and-a-half hour public comment session, the council tabled its votes for the two comprehensive plan amendments.

Students Haddie Shorb, 9, left, and brother Elden Shorb, 11, right, lead the ground breaking at Jackson Elementary School on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett Public Schools breaks ground on Jackson Elementary replacement

The $54 million project will completely replace the aging elementary school. Students are set to move in by the 2026-27 school year.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.