Eighteen-year-old Clearlake resident Erik Michael McPherson has been officially charged with the stabbing death of Nicolai Chukreeff on the evening of Sunday, May 4, at the Harbor Lite Motel on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.
Clearlake Police Lt. Mike Hermann reported that McPherson had been a person of interest in the homicide since early on. McPherson was arrested Wednesday, May 7, for an unrelated theft warrant after being found walking on Woodland Drive in Clearlake. He was later booked for the warrant into the Lake County Jail after being questioned about the homicide.
Hermann reported that on Friday, May 9, McPherson was officially charged with the crime of murder.
Information gathered indicated that the victim and several subjects had been drinking alcohol in the gazebo of the Harbor Lite Motel and that McPherson arrived at one point prior to the stabbing. Some type of argument apparently ensued and it is unknown at this time what caused McPherson to allegedly stab Chukreeff. McPherson fled the scene in a red vehicle that has since been located.
Hermann said the case would be submitted on Monday morning, May 12, to the Lake County District Attorney”s Office for review. Due to the fact the case is still under investigation and additional interviews are required, no other information is available for release at this time. Persons with information about this are asked to contact Detective Sergeant Tom Clements at 994-8251.
