Newly unveiled court documents reveal that a witness observed erratic behavior from a woman immediately following gunshots heard at the scene of a 2011 murder in Iowa, which had remained unsolved for over a decade.
Kristin Ramsey, now 53, faces charges of first-degree murder for the killing of real estate agent Ashley Okland on April 8, 2011. Ramsey’s arrest last month is a significant breakthrough in this 15-year-old cold case.
Ashley Okland was tragically shot twice at close range—once in the chest and once in the face—while she was managing an open house at a model townhome owned by Rottlund Homes. Notably, Ramsey was employed by the company at the time of the incident.
On that fateful day, Okland was found inside the townhome in West Des Moines, Iowa, where the open house was being held. The case had gone cold until this recent arrest.
According to a court filing reported by KCCI, a neighbor recounted hearing two loud noises before observing Ramsey outside the townhome’s entrance.
The witness further claimed to have seen Ramsey pacing near her vehicle and speaking on her phone when viewed from a second-story window.
The court filing indicates Ramsey called a colleague at Rottlund Homes immediately following the alleged shooting, but did not call 911, the outlet reported.
FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
53-year-old Kristin Elizabeth Ramsey was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in West Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Dallas County Jail)
Shortly after, the witness reported seeing Ramsey “back up at a high rate of speed in an erratic manner and leave the area,” court documents show, according to KCCI.
Authorities also indicated the witness – not Ramsey – called 911 to report the shooting.
Ashley Okland’s siblings Josh Okland and Brittany Bruce speak after the arrest of Kristin Ramsey in the 2011 shooting death of their sister at the West Des Moines Police Department on March 18, 2026. (Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register)
Prosecutors have since revealed that Ramsey has given conflicting versions of her whereabouts on the day of the alleged murder in multiple interviews since the investigation began, according to KCCI.
Court records also show that authorities discovered several firearms, illegal substances and violent posters inside Ramsey’s home upon executing a search warrant on May 3, 2011, the outlet reported.
The same items were reportedly found after a second search warrant was executed at Ramsey’s home shortly before her arrest this spring.
A motion has reportedly been filed by the state opposing Ramsey’s request to lower her bond from $2 million to $100,000.
Authorities have not released a potential motive, and Ramsey has not yet entered a plea in the case. She is expected to appear in court Friday for a bail hearing.
Ramsey’s defense attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
