Arrest made nearly 15 years after Iowa realtor's murder

Kristin Elizabeth Ramsey, 53, charged with first-degree murder of Ashley Okland in 2011

Mar. 18, 2026 at 8:32pm

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Police have arrested Kristin Elizabeth Ramsey, 53, and charged her with the first-degree murder of Iowa realtor Ashley Okland, who was killed at an open house nearly 15 years ago in 2011. Okland was found dead with two gunshot wounds inside a model townhome where she was holding the open house on a Friday afternoon.

Why it matters

This arrest brings some closure to a long-unsolved case that has haunted Okland's family and the local community for over a decade and a half. The cold case investigation highlights the challenges law enforcement can face in solving older crimes, but also the persistence required to eventually bring justice for victims and their loved ones.

The details

Okland, 27 at the time of her death, was found dead on April 8, 2011 after a 911 call came in around 2 p.m. on a Friday afternoon. The case went unsolved for nearly 15 years until police arrested Kristin Elizabeth Ramsey, 53, and charged her with first-degree murder. Ramsey is being held on a $2 million cash-only bond.

  • Okland was killed on April 8, 2011 during an open house she was hosting.
  • The 911 call came in around 2 p.m. on that Friday afternoon.
  • Ramsey was arrested and charged nearly 15 years later, in 2026.

The players

Ashley Okland

A 27-year-old Iowa realtor who was killed at an open house in 2011.

Kristin Elizabeth Ramsey

A 53-year-old woman charged with the first-degree murder of Ashley Okland in 2026, nearly 15 years after the crime.

Josh Okland

Ashley Okland's brother, who has spent the last 15 years wondering why someone would want to kill his sister.

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What they’re saying

“When I think about the last time I saw her, yeah, 14 years feels like a long time.”

— Josh Okland, Ashley Okland's brother

“If there was something going on, she would have told me.”

— Josh Okland, Ashley Okland's brother

“I am proud to be her brother. She impacted so many people in such a positive way and such a good role model for a short 27-year life. Her legacy lives on.”

— Josh Okland, Ashley Okland's brother

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Kristin Elizabeth Ramsey out on bail.

The takeaway

This arrest after nearly 15 years highlights the persistence and dedication required by law enforcement to solve cold cases, even decades later. While the pain of losing a loved one never fully goes away, this development provides some measure of closure for Ashley Okland's family and the community.