Ashley Okland’s siblings thank law enforcement for work that led to arrest 15 years after sister’s murder
By Laura Terrell, Todd Magel
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IOWA (KCCI) — Iowa authorities have charged an Iowa woman with murder 15 years after West Des Moines realtor Ashley Okland was killed at an open house. West Des Moines police held a news conference Wednesday morning, during which several people spoke — including Okland’s siblings.
Kristin Ramsey, 53, of Woodward, is charged with first-degree murder. She has been booked into the Dallas County Jail and is being held on a $2 million cash-only bond.
Okland, 27, was found dead with two gunshot wounds inside a model townhome where she was holding an open house on April 8, 2011. Authorities said on Wednesday that few details will be made public at this time.
“As significant as this arrest is, our work is not done yet,” West Des Moines assistant police chief Jody Hayes said. “… To maintain the integrity of the judicial process, the West Des Moines Police Department is unable to release any additional investigative information regarding this case.”
Okland’s sister, Brittany Bruce, said it was hard to accept years ago that the case had gone cold, and thanked law enforcement officers who continued to investigate.
“Their dedication, commitment to Ashley, their drive and work ethic is a true gift from God that we feel fortunate to be touched by,” Bruce said.
“Today is a day my family has thought about very often over the last 14 years,” Josh Okland said. “We have so many people to thank … thank you for your countless hours helping on Ashley’s case.”
Ramsey made her initial court appearance on Wednesday morning, and isn’t due back in court again until April 10. KCCI was in Woodward on Tuesday as investigators searched Ramsey’s home. Our crews saw a West Des Moines K-9 unit, crime scene investigators and officers with metal detectors.
Hayes said during Wednesday’s news conference that no other arrests are anticipated.
“Today is why we created the Iowa Cold Case Unit,” Bird said Wednesday. “… I hoped and prayed this day would come (for Okland’s family).
“No one should ever get away with murder. Families deserve answers and there needs to be justice for every victim.”
Bruce asked for her family’s privacy as the case moves forward.
“I’d also ask for you to give the same privacy and respect to the suspect’s family,” she said. “They don’t deserve to be hounded.”
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