Topline: A woman charged in the 2011 fatal shooting of Iowa real estate agent Ashley Okland has pleaded not guilty as prosecutors outline witness accounts and conflicting statements in the cold case.
Published: April 11, 2026 10:41 am ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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Ashley Okland, undated.
WEST DES MOINES, IA — A woman charged in the 2011 fatal shooting of Iowa real estate agent Ashley Okland has pleaded not guilty in the long-unsolved case.
ABC News reported prosecutors say Kristin Ramsey, 53, is accused of first-degree murder in Okland’s April 8, 2011 killing in West Des Moines.
A witness in a neighboring townhome heard two loud noises shortly after 2 p.m., saw Ramsey outside the front door of the model home, then watched her pace near her vehicle while on her cell phone before driving away erratically, according to authorities.
53-year-old Kristin Ramsey is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Ashley Okland. Photo courtesy of the West Des Moines Police.
Okland was working at a model townhouse when she was shot twice at close range, once in the chest and once in the face, according to authorities.
The witness then entered the model home, found Okland unresponsive on the ground, called 911, and later saw Ramsey return to the area after leaving, according to authorities.
Investigators say the model home was owned by the same company where Ramsey worked as a sales manager. Prosecutors also allege Ramsey gave conflicting versions of her whereabouts and other events from the day of the killing, according to authorities.
West Des Moines police arrested Ramsey last month in the cold case. She is charged with first-degree murder in Okland’s death, according to authorities.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Iowa Woman Pleads Not Guilty in Killing of Realtor Ashley Okland
A woman charged in the 2011 fatal shooting of Iowa real estate agent Ashley Okland has pleaded not guilty as prosecutors outline witness accounts and conflicting statements in the cold case.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: April 11, 2026 10:41 am ET
Ashley Okland, undated.
WEST DES MOINES, IA — A woman charged in the 2011 fatal shooting of Iowa real estate agent Ashley Okland has pleaded not guilty in the long-unsolved case.
ABC News reported prosecutors say Kristin Ramsey, 53, is accused of first-degree murder in Okland’s April 8, 2011 killing in West Des Moines.
A witness in a neighboring townhome heard two loud noises shortly after 2 p.m., saw Ramsey outside the front door of the model home, then watched her pace near her vehicle while on her cell phone before driving away erratically, according to authorities.
53-year-old Kristin Ramsey is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Ashley Okland. Photo courtesy of the West Des Moines Police.
Okland was working at a model townhouse when she was shot twice at close range, once in the chest and once in the face, according to authorities.
The witness then entered the model home, found Okland unresponsive on the ground, called 911, and later saw Ramsey return to the area after leaving, according to authorities.
Investigators say the model home was owned by the same company where Ramsey worked as a sales manager. Prosecutors also allege Ramsey gave conflicting versions of her whereabouts and other events from the day of the killing, according to authorities.
West Des Moines police arrested Ramsey last month in the cold case. She is charged with first-degree murder in Okland’s death, according to authorities.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Iowa Woman Pleads Not Guilty in Killing of Realtor Ashley Okland
A woman charged in the 2011 fatal shooting of Iowa real estate agent Ashley Okland has pleaded not guilty as prosecutors outline witness accounts and conflicting statements in the cold case.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: April 11, 2026 10:41 am ET
Ashley Okland, undated.
WEST DES MOINES, IA — A woman charged in the 2011 fatal shooting of Iowa real estate agent Ashley Okland has pleaded not guilty in the long-unsolved case.
ABC News reported prosecutors say Kristin Ramsey, 53, is accused of first-degree murder in Okland’s April 8, 2011 killing in West Des Moines.
A witness in a neighboring townhome heard two loud noises shortly after 2 p.m., saw Ramsey outside the front door of the model home, then watched her pace near her vehicle while on her cell phone before driving away erratically, according to authorities.
53-year-old Kristin Ramsey is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Ashley Okland. Photo courtesy of the West Des Moines Police.
Okland was working at a model townhouse when she was shot twice at close range, once in the chest and once in the face, according to authorities.
The witness then entered the model home, found Okland unresponsive on the ground, called 911, and later saw Ramsey return to the area after leaving, according to authorities.
Investigators say the model home was owned by the same company where Ramsey worked as a sales manager. Prosecutors also allege Ramsey gave conflicting versions of her whereabouts and other events from the day of the killing, according to authorities.
West Des Moines police arrested Ramsey last month in the cold case. She is charged with first-degree murder in Okland’s death, according to authorities.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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