Arrest Made in 2011 Killing of Iowa Real Estate Agent

Kristin Ramsey pleads not guilty to first-degree murder charge in Ashley Okland's death.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:30pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single car key against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the physical evidence in this property crime case.The arrest in the 2011 killing of real estate agent Ashley Okland has revived a cold case that shook the industry and led to heightened safety practices.West Des Moines Today

Nearly 15 years after Iowa Realty agent Ashley Okland was found dead at a model townhome in West Des Moines, where she was hosting an open house, a woman named Kristin Ramsey has been charged with her first-degree murder. Ramsey, 53, pleaded not guilty to the charges on Friday.

Why it matters

Okland's death in 2011 rattled the real estate industry and led to heightened safety practices for agents nationwide. The case went unsolved for over a decade until Ramsey's recent indictment, raising questions about the strength of the evidence and the potential motive.

The details

Prosecutors say a neighbor who called 911 reportedly saw Ramsey, who worked with Okland, outside the front door of the model home and pacing by her car while talking on her cellphone before she drove off. Ramsey's attorneys claim there are gaps in the case prosecutors presented to the grand jury, including by misrepresenting what the witness reported in the 911 call.

  • Ashley Okland was found dead at a model townhome in West Des Moines on April 8, 2011.
  • Kristin Ramsey, 53, was arrested on March 17, 2026 after an indictment by a grand jury.
  • Ramsey pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges on April 11, 2026.

The players

Ashley Okland

A 27-year-old Iowa Realty agent who was found dead at a model townhome in West Des Moines where she was hosting an open house in 2011.

Kristin Ramsey

A 53-year-old woman who has been charged with first-degree murder in the 2011 killing of Ashley Okland. Ramsey pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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What they’re saying

“That Friday afternoon when Ashley was taken from us seems so long ago. We had lost our hope in finding answers and having any justice for Ashley.”

— Brittany Bruce, Okland's sister

“You don't wait 15 years and then say: 'OK, let's make a go of it'.”

— Alfredo Parrish, Ramsey's attorney

What’s next

The trial for Kristin Ramsey is set to begin in January 2027.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges of solving cold cases, even high-profile ones, and the importance of maintaining evidence and witness accounts over many years. The arrest has brought some closure to Okland's family, but many questions remain about the strength of the case against Ramsey and the potential motive.