WEST DES MOINES, IA — In a stunning development for one of Iowa’s most high-profile cold cases, West Des Moines Police announced on Wednesday morning, March 18, 2026, the arrest of Kristin Elizabeth Ramsey, 53, for the April 2011 murder of real estate agent Ashley Okland.
Ramsey, a resident of Woodward, Iowa, was taken into custody on Tuesday and is currently being held at the Dallas County Jail on a $2 million cash-only bond. The arrest follows a nearly 15-year investigation that involved over 1,000 leads and a $150,000 reward that went unclaimed for years.
1. The Crime: An Open House Tragedy
The murder of 27-year-old Ashley Okland sent shockwaves through the real estate community and central Iowa on April 8, 2011.
- The Incident: Okland was working at a model townhome for Rottlund Homes near 84th Street and EP True Parkway.
- The Discovery: An employee heard a disturbance and found Okland on the floor. She had been shot twice in the head.
- The Legacy: Despite the case going cold and being handed over to the Iowa Cold Case Unit in 2025, investigators maintained that the file “never collected dust.”
2. Who is Kristin Ramsey?
While police have not yet detailed the motive or the connection between Ramsey and Okland, several key facts have surfaced:
- Background: Ramsey is from Woodward, located about 30 miles from where the murder occurred.
- Mugshot Details: Photos from the Dallas County Jail show Ramsey with blonde hair, wearing an orange jumpsuit. A second photo circulated by media shows her in a dark jacket.
- Legal Status: She has been formally charged with first-degree murder.
3. A Family’s Long Wait
Okland’s family, including her brother Josh Okland, has spent over a decade advocating for justice.
- Brother’s Memory: In 2025, Josh recalled their last meeting at a Panera in Ankeny just one day before her death. “I am proud to be her brother,” he said. “Her legacy lives on.”
- Community Impact: Local reporters noted that many central Iowans remember the day of the shooting “so clearly,” marking the arrest as a moment of significant closure for the region.
Ashley Okland Case Timeline
| Date | Event |
| April 8, 2011 | Ashley Okland (27) fatally shot at a West Des Moines townhome. |
| 2011–2018 | Investigators pursue over 1,000 leads; reward reaches $150,000. |
| April 2021 | 10th anniversary; police confirm case remains active with 500+ contacts. |
| Early 2025 | Officially designated a cold case; Iowa Cold Case Unit takes lead. |
| March 17, 2026 | Kristin Ramsey (53) arrested and charged with first-degree murder. |