MURDERED: Ashley Okland

In this episode, we examine the 2011 killing of Ashley Okland, a real estate agent from West Des Moines who was shot while hosting an open house in a model townhome. What began as a routine workday became one of Iowa’s most closely followed unsolved cases.We cover Ashley’s life, the timeline of the investigation, and the major break in the case: the March 2026 arrest of 53-year-old Kristin Ramsey, charged with first-degree murder. We discuss how, despite little being released publicly over the last 15 years, recent filings suggest Ramsey may have been on investigators’ radar from the very beginning. We *might* also have a bonus episode ahead with comments from her attorney, Alfredo Parrish. Sources: Terrell, Laura, West Des Moines police make arrest in 15-year-old cold case of murdered realtor Ashley Okland, KCCI, March 18, 2026Probe continues in agent’s death, Iowa City Press Citizen, May 7, 2011Elmer, Mackenzie, West Des Moines police are no closer to arrest in Okland case, July 30, 2015, Iowa City Press CitizenWingert, Kelby, Prosecutors challenge motion to block cellphone search in Ashley Okland murder case, April 22, 2026, KCCIReal estate agent fatally shot, April 9, 2011, Quad City TimesIowa vs Kristin Ramsey, State’s r resistance to defendant’s motion for bond reduction, Criminal No. FECR051688, April 8, 2026, Dallas County Clerk of District CourtFinney, Daniel, Elbert David, Stegmeir, Mary, Real estate agent killed on the job, April 9, 2011, Des Moines RegisterBelz, Adam, Bemann, Perry, No leads in agent’s shooting, April 10, 2011, Des Moines RegisterAshley Okland Obituary, April 11, 2011, The Des Moines RegisterStegmeir, Mary, Man seen with Okland is sought, April 12, 2011, The Des Moines RegisterEller, Donnelle, Realtors group pushing safety, April 12, 2011, The Des Moines RegisterStegmeir, Mary, 1,600 mourn death of agent, April 15, 2011, The Des Moines RegisterStegmeir, Mary, Search warrant issued in murder, April 16, 2011, The Des Moines RegisterPullman, Jason, Reward to $66,785 in Okland homicide, April 17, 2011, The Des Moines RegisterStegmeir, Mary, Okland case reward sets tip-line mark, April 19, 2011, The Des Moines RegisterStegmeir, Mary, Shooting of agent still mystifies, May 6, 2011, The Des Moines RegisterSearch warrants sealed in Okland case, May 11, 2011, The Des Moines RegisterStegmeir, Mary, Police probe link to agent who killed himself, June 25, 2011, The Des Moines RegisterElmer, Mackenzie, West Des Moines police no closer to arrest in Okland case, August 26, 2015, The Des Moines RegisterWerner, Kyle, Jett, Tyler, Suspect arrested in cold-case shooting, March 19, 2026, The Des Moines RegisterWerner, Kyle, Ramsey maintains innocence, March 20, 2026, The Des Moines RegisterWerner, Kyle, Jett, Tyler, Ashley Okland suspect worked for townhome developer, March 20, 2026, The TribuneEmail correspondence with Mr. Alfredo Parrish, April 24, 2026https://www.courttv.com/news/woman-charged-with-realtors-2011-cold-case-murder-released-on-bond/Support the showIf you have any information on any of the cold cases covered, you can submit a tip here: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-crime-victims/iowa-cold-case/cold-case-tip-formIf you liked the show and are interested in supporting my work, check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CardinalCrimes?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creatorSave $20 on a Buzzsprout paid plan using this referral link!: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2372693Theme Song: Shrouded Lament by james.lfo, William Claeson