A Suspect Charged in the 15-Year-Old Ashley Okland Cold Case
A significant development has occurred in the long-standing cold case of Ashley Okland, a 27-year-old Iowa realtor who was tragically murdered in 2011. Kristin Ramsey, 53, has been charged with first-degree murder following an indictment by a Dallas County grand jury, according to a press release from the West Des Moines Police Department.
Ramsey was arrested on Tuesday, March 17th, and is currently held at the Dallas County Jail on a $2 million cash bond. While authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding the specifics of the charge, a news conference is scheduled for Wednesday morning to provide further updates.
The 2011 Murder of Ashley Okland
The incident occurred on April 8, 2011, while Ashley Okland, an employee of Iowa Realty Co., was showing a model townhouse at 558 Stone Creek Court in West Des Moines. A Rottlund Homes employee reportedly heard a disturbance inside the model home and discovered Okland suffering from gunshot wounds. She was immediately transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, where she tragically succumbed to her injuries.
The case quickly garnered widespread attention across Iowa and the nation, remaining unsolved for over a decade. Investigators pursued nearly 900 leads and interviewed approximately 500 individuals in the years following the murder. The case even reached Iowa inmates through a deck of playing cards featuring Okland’s details, distributed by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird as part of a broader initiative to address the state’s over 400 cold cases. More details can be found at Iowa State Daily.
Remembering Ashley Okland
Born on December 30, 1983, in Ames, Iowa, Ashley Okland grew up in Huxley and was actively involved in various activities throughout her youth, including sports, dance, 4-H, and piano. She was a graduate of Ballard High School and Iowa State University (after initially attending the University of Iowa). She began her real estate career in 2007 and joined Iowa Realty in 2010.
Beyond her professional life, Okland was deeply committed to community service, participating in organizations like Young Variety and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Her father, Tim, previously shared that she had a strong passion for helping children. This dedication was honored in 2014 with the opening of the Ashley Okland Star Playground, a specialized park designed for children with disabilities.
“Ashley was all-inclusive in her personality, which is exactly what this playground is,” said Susan Hatten, a longtime friend who spearheaded the playground’s creation. The playground, located at Ewing Park, features adapted equipment catering to children with both cognitive and physical disabilities.
The Young Professionals Connection also established the Ashley Okland YP Community Service Award, annually recognizing a young professional who embodies Okland’s spirit of volunteerism.
This arrest marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice for Ashley Okland and her family, bringing a glimmer of hope after years of uncertainty.
