Post by Scumhunter on Nov 22, 2015 8:46:07 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: iowacoldcases.org via West Des Moines PD)
Ashley Okland, a 27-year-old Iowa Realty agent, was shot twice and killed shortly before 2 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2011, while working inside a West Des Moines model townhouse. Her case was featured on CBS's "Crimesider" website as well as a segment on the syndicated crime show "Crime Watch Daily." It's a bit of a complicated case to just copy and paste an article, so I will link to the Crime Watch segment along with a few articles that best describe the case for everyone to watch and/or read and share their thoughts (it's mainly the Iowa Cold Case link to read if you only have time for one article):
crimewatchdaily.com/videos/0-udcxqa0e/
iowacoldcases.org/case-summaries/ashley-okland/
whotv.com/2014/09/30/west-des-moines-police-to-follow-up-with-arkansas-realtor-murder-case/
www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2014/11/02/the-beverly-carter-case-a-personal-connection
www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/24/iowa-realtor-receives-gang-related-threat-violence/32303499/
Anyway, a quick summary of some possible clues assuming we've read a little on this case:
-it's believed Ashley possibly knew her attacker and it could be a fellow real estate worker. There was no sign of a struggle, and Ashley had sent a text message to a friend five days before she was shot, and did not plea for help.
-An Arkansas real estate named Beverly Carter was murdered in a similar fashion in 2014. Two suspects were arrested that apparently knew Carter. It doesn't appear the two cases are related, but it does give further credence to the theory Ashley knew her attacker.
-Sadly, there is also a possibility this was a gang initiation murder. At about 11:30 a.m., a female Realtor got a call from a blocked number. The man on the other line told the new agent that her business card had been drawn from a hat and she’d be the recipient of a gang initiation later that day, Wetz said.
Thoughts? Did Ashley know her attacker, or could this have been a more random and callous plot?
Admin Note #1: Based on online research, here is our advice for anyone who has any information about who may have killed Ashley: submit a tip to the Crime Watch Daily website's "Submit a tip" section at crimewatchdaily.com, call their tip line at 1-844-800-CRIME. Other contacts are the West Des Moines Police Department at 515-222-3344 or Polk County Crime Stoppers at 515-223-1400. You may also text “PCCS plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) or provide a tip online.
Admin Note #2: If you have any news-related updates on this case, please contact us here: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form
