Baffled By Homicide, West Des Moines Police Double Reward in Okland Slaying to $150,000

As the one-year anniversary of the murder of Realtor Ashley Okland approaches, said Wednesday that the reward for information leading an arrest of the person responsible has been doubled to up to $150,000.

Oakland, an agent with Iowa Realty, was fatally shot twice on April 8, 2011, at a model home in West Des Moines. Investigators have followed up on more than 700 leads, have sifted through 550 names in its database and have executed a number of search warrants, which remain sealed.

But they’re no closer to solving the mid-day murder than they were a year ago, so authorities increased the reward.

“Investigators know that someone has information concerning the case and they have not yet come forward,” said Lt. Jim Barrett, the West Des Moines Police Department’s public information officer. “We believe the increase it in the reward will encourage the person to do so.”

The case continues to be the department’s top priority and investigators remain confident the crime eventually will be solved, Barrett said.

Have you changed your routine in response to the Ashley Okland murder a year ago? 

Barrett said the additional $75,000 in reward money came from Okland's family members, friends, Iowa Realty coworkers and other private donors.

"We're coming up on the year anniversary since Ashley was murdered, and they're just trying to keep people coming forward," he said.

Leads continue to come in "a little bit at a time," Barrett said. "Any time there's something in the press, the tips and leads increase."

Okland’s survivors and friends struggle with the unsolved murder of a vibrant young woman with no known enemies, the Des Moines Register reported Sunday.

“It’s a daily struggle,” said Okland’s sister, Brittany Okland. “It’s hard that it’s been a year, and we still don’t know anything. Meanwhile, that person (the shooter) is out there, living their daily life.”

The murder occurred in broad daylight in a community known for its safety. Since then, realtors have been taking , canceling real estate open houses altogether, requiring sign-in sheets and scheduling initial meetings with potential buyers in their offices rather than at the property to be sold.

“It’s still scary,” Realtor Marcia Wanamaker told Patch last fall. “Somebody’s still out there, and it’s always wise to be on top of what is going on around you.”

Anyone wo has any pertinent information concerning the Okland’s murder is asked to report the tip to Polk County Crime Stoppers at (515) 223-1400, submit the tip online at polkcountycrimestoppers.org or text "PCCS plus your message" to CRIMES (274637).