Realtor slain in model home
Last Friday, tragedy struck the real estate community when 27 year old Des Moines Realtor Ashley Okland was fatally shot twice while at a model home open house.
Immediately, the Des Moines police stated they believed it was an isolated incident despite having no suspects. Over the weekend, a neighbor came forward noting they heard a “commotion.”
Suspecting another Realtor
Today, the DesMoinesRegister reports that West Des Moines’ Lt. Jim Barrett said this morning that “police do not need the public’s help in locating a man seen talking with slain real estate agent Ashley Okland in the months leading up to her death.”
Earlier this week, officials asked the community for help in identifying a “scruffy” young man in a black vehicle resembling an Escalade who had been seen at the model with Okland before.
The Register said, “Barrett said the man is believed to be another Realtor. The police sent out a description of the man and his vehicle to area real estate agents Monday. He said today that those individuals are the people most likely to know the man.”
Laying Okland to rest
Results of the Monday autopsy have not yet been released. Channel 5 reports, “A memorial fund has been established by Ashley Okland’s family. You can send donations to 30048 530th Avenue, Kelley, IA 50134, which is where she was from. Money sent will be distributed to Okland’s favorite charities.”
There is a visitation planned for the Fjeldberg Lutheran Church in Huxley Tuesday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. Okland will be buried in Huxley.
Editor’s note: Realtors, while we do not yet know what happened or if “safety” was of any issue, we still urge you to trust your instincts and to stay safe. Please pray for the Okley family and the shaken Des Moines real estate community.
Updates
April 14, 5:30cst: Des Moines Register reports 1,600 attended Okland’s funeral today. Still no suspects or leads leaving a frustrated real estate community and a mourning family. Rest in peace, Ashley, we believe justice will be served in your honor.
April 15, 2:18cst: Des Moines Register just reported that a search warrant has been issued in the case, but police spokespeople will not provide any details of the warrant.
April 16, 6:44cst: Des Moines Register reports the reward has been increased again to $66,785, they still seek a “scruffy” man, the search warrant has not yielded any reports from police who have received 340 tips and leads.
