Kristin Ramsey Biography: Suspect in 2011 Cold Case Murder of Ashley Okland – Age, Arrest, Background, and 2026 Developments
Kristin Elizabeth Ramsey, a 53-year-old woman from Woodward, Iowa, gained national attention in March 2026 when she was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the long-unsolved 2011 killing of realtor Ashley Okland. The case, a high-profile cold case in central Iowa, involved the shooting death of 27-year-old Okland during an open house showing in West Des Moines. Ramsey’s arrest marked a major breakthrough after nearly 15 years, drawing widespread media coverage as authorities revealed limited details about motive or connection while holding her on a $2 million cash bond.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Kristin Elizabeth Ramsey |
| Nick Name | N/A (sometimes referred to as “Krissy” in professional contexts) |
| Profession | Former administrative assistant and sales manager (real estate development) |
| Birth Date | Approximately 1973 (exact date not publicly confirmed) |
| Age | 53 (as of 2026) |
| Birth Place | Not publicly detailed (longtime resident of Iowa area) |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the 2011 cold case killing of realtor Ashley Okland; former employee at Rottlund Homes (townhome developer where crime occurred) |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign | Unknown |
| Height & Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair Color | Not publicly detailed |
| Eye Color | Not publicly detailed |
| Qualification | Not publicly detailed (professional experience in real estate/admin) |
| Religion | Not publicly specified |
| Marital Status / Spouses | Not publicly detailed |
| Relationships (if notable) | No notable public relationships disclosed |
| Children | Not publicly detailed |
| Family Tree | Limited public information; resident of Woodward, Iowa |
| Hobbies | Not publicly known |
| Current Work | N/A (detained in Dallas County Jail as of March 2026) |
| Years Active | Professional history in real estate/admin (pre-2011); no recent public career details |
| Residence (2026) | Woodward, Iowa |
| Legal Status (2026) | Charged with first-degree murder; held on $2 million cash-only bond |
Early Life & Education
Limited public information is available about Kristin Ramsey’s early life, upbringing, or education. She has been a longtime resident of Iowa, with professional ties to the Des Moines area real estate sector around 2011. Details on her birth place, family background, or schooling remain undisclosed in media reports and public records related to the case.
Career Journey
Kristin Ramsey’s known professional background centers on administrative and sales roles in the real estate development industry in Iowa.
Pre-2011 Professional Role
At the time of Ashley Okland’s death in April 2011, Ramsey worked as an administrative assistant and sales manager for Rottlund Homes, the developer of the townhome complex where the murder occurred. She was employed there in a capacity that involved sales and administrative support for the project.
Post-2011 and Recent Activity
After leaving Rottlund Homes in November 2011 (shortly after the incident), Ramsey transitioned to Midland Title & Escrow, according to some professional records. No further detailed career progression is publicly available. As of her 2026 arrest, she resided in Woodward, Iowa (about 30–35 miles from the crime scene area), with no recent professional affiliations noted in reports.
Personal Life
Public details about Kristin Ramsey’s personal life are scarce, primarily due to the focus on the criminal case. She has lived in Woodward, Iowa, and maintained a low public profile prior to the March 2026 arrest.
Family
No specific information on spouse, children, or extended family has been released publicly in connection with the case or prior records.
Hobbies and Interests
No public details available.
Dating History/Affairs
No notable public relationships or history reported.
Controversies
Kristin Ramsey’s primary public controversy stems from her March 17, 2026, arrest by West Des Moines police following a Dallas County grand jury indictment. She faces a first-degree murder charge in the April 8, 2011, shooting death of realtor Ashley Okland, who was found with two gunshot wounds inside a model townhome during an open house. The case had remained unsolved for nearly 15 years until this breakthrough. Police have released minimal details on motive, evidence (potentially including new forensic leads), or Ramsey’s specific connection to Okland. She was booked into Dallas County Jail on a $2 million cash-only bond. Family members of the victim, including siblings Josh Okland and Brittany Bruce, expressed gratitude for the arrest while requesting privacy for both families.
Awards & Achievements
None publicly documented; her profile emerged solely through the 2026 criminal case developments.
Physical Statistics
No public details on height, weight, or other physical characteristics have been released in media coverage.
Quotes
Limited public statements from Ramsey herself are available due to the ongoing legal matter. Media reports note police and prosecutors have shared minimal details, with no direct quotes attributed to her.
Earnings
No public information on earnings or financial details.
Interesting Facts
- Ramsey worked directly for the developer of the townhome where Ashley Okland was killed, adding a layer of professional proximity to the crime scene.
- The arrest came after a 15-year investigation, highlighting advancements in cold case resolution techniques.
- Woodward, Iowa, her residence, is a small town roughly an hour’s drive from the West Des Moines crime location.
Did You Know Already?
Did you know Kristin Ramsey was employed by Rottlund Homes—the builder of the townhome development—when Ashley Okland was murdered there in 2011? Or that the breakthrough arrest in 2026 followed years of the case remaining cold?
Social Media Links
No verified or active official social media accounts for Kristin Elizabeth Ramsey (the individual in the 2026 case) have been publicly identified or linked in reports. Various unrelated individuals share similar names on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kristin Ramsey known for in 2026?
Kristin Ramsey became known nationally in March 2026 after her arrest and first-degree murder charge in the 2011 cold case killing of realtor Ashley Okland.
How old is Kristin Ramsey?
She is 53 years old, as confirmed by police in 2026.
Where does Kristin Ramsey live?
She resided in Woodward, Iowa, prior to her arrest and detention in Dallas County Jail.
What happened in the Ashley Okland case involving Kristin Ramsey?
On April 8, 2011, realtor Ashley Okland was shot and killed during an open house in West Des Moines. Ramsey, who worked for the townhome developer at the time, was arrested on March 17, 2026, charged with first-degree murder after a grand jury indictment.
Conclusion
The arrest of Kristin Ramsey in the Ashley Okland murder case represents a significant development in one of Iowa’s most enduring cold cases, bringing renewed focus to justice for victims of violent crime. As legal proceedings continue, details may emerge about the evidence and circumstances. If this biography provided useful context on the story, share it to raise awareness about unresolved cases and their resolutions.
