Police say Ashley Okland's murder investigation is still active 10 years later
The 27-year-old real estate agent was shot and killed while holding an open house in a West Des Moines townhome.
The 27-year-old real estate agent was shot and killed while holding an open house in a West Des Moines townhome.
The 27-year-old real estate agent was shot and killed while holding an open house in a West Des Moines townhome.
West Des Moines police say Ashley Okland's murder investigation is still active 10 years later. The 27-year-old real estate agent was shot and killed on April 8, 2011, while holding an open house in a West Des Moines townhome.
"We are doing everything we can to solve the case," said West Des Moines police Sgt. Jason Bryan. "It is not in a file cabinet where it's not going to get looked at. It's on the detective's desk."
Police say they have interviewed approximately 500 people and investigated 900 tips in the last 10 years.
"Every time a tip does come in it's investigated almost immediately and thoroughly so for us it's an active case and will stay active until it's solved," said Bryan.
West Des Moines police declined to discuss possible suspects or specific details in the case they say only the killer would know.
Ashley's brother, Josh Okland, says justice is important but is not what the family focuses on.
"It's hard at times not knowing, but that's not what we focus on. That's not what I focus on. It's unhealthy to sit and think that way. If you let yourself think that way then you're going to start looking at people differently and thinking differently," said Okland.
Okland says the family has found peace, but there is still a piece of them missing. He calls Ashley the "glue that held everyone together" and tells his 4-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter about their aunt every day.
"It's important for me that my kids know who she was because she played a big part in my life and I want that for them," said Okland.
There is still a $150,000 reward in this case. If you have any information you can remain anonymous by calling Polk County Crime Stoppers at (515) 223-1400.