Unexpected Verdict for Midwestern Mother in Realtor Murder Case

An ordinary mother from the Midwest, who faces charges in the long-unsolved murder of an Iowa real estate agent, might soon return to her hometown following a judge’s decision to reduce her bail.

Kristin Ramsey, 53, is accused of the 2011 murder of real estate agent Ashley Okland at a model home in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Ramsey, a mother of one, firmly denies the accusation and has entered a not guilty plea to the first-degree murder charge, a development that has deeply unsettled the close-knit community of Woodward.

Since her arrest last month, Ramsey has been held in custody due to an initially set bail of an extraordinary $2 million. However, this amount has now been significantly decreased to $500,000.

According to the bond order, Ramsey is eligible for release from the Dallas County Jail upon posting a $50,000 cash bail.

The defense petitioned to lower her bond, citing how her family background and lifelong commitment to the small town of Woodward make the risk of releasing her on bail non-existent.

Prosecutors claim Ramsey is a threat to the very community she professes to adore. They cited her marriage to her high school sweetheart Toby, her devoted parenting of son Tanner, and closeness to her parents, all of whom live locally. 

Kristin Ramsey, with her son Tanner and husband Toby, could soon return to her family after an Iowa judge agreed to reduce her bail to $500,000

Ramsey was charged with killing realtor Ashley Okland, seen with her boyfriend Eric, at a show home in West Des Moines, Iowa in April 2011

Kristin Ramsey, appearing before a Dallas County judge on April 10, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder

The judge has ordered that she be confined to her $286,240 Woodward home under house arrest, pending trial.

Ramsey will be required to wear a GPS monitor, undergo random drug testing and surrendered all firearms from her home, the bond order said.

Prosecutors, in their filings arguing against a reduction in bail, alleged that Ramsey ‘does not have a safe and law-abiding home to return to.’

When officials searched her home in May 2011, they found several firearms, illegal substances, drugs and violent posters inside, court filings stated.

Investigators found the same items at the residence when they executed a search warrant after her arrest of March 17 this year.

Okland, 27, was found dead with two gunshot wounds on April 8, 2011, inside a model townhome she was showcasing for Iowa Realty Co.

A woman living in the adjacent unit heard a commotion and dialed 911.

The realtor was transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in critical condition, where she later died.

Kristin Ramsey and her high school sweetheart Toby on their wedding day. The defense highlighted their happy marriage in its petition for bond reduction

Ramsey became overwhelmed with emotion during a court hearing last week in which her lawyers petitioned the judge to reduce her bond

On the day of the murder, Okland was showing a prospective buyer around a show home constructed by Rottlund Homes. 

That is the same company where Ramsey was working as a sales manager.

Despite the killing taking place in broad daylight, the case went cold for years. 

Prosecutors have filed disturbing court documents that shed some fresh light onto what the authorities say happened on the day of Okland’s death.

But the defense argues there is ‘minimally sufficient evidence’ to indict Ramsey in a crime from 15 years ago.

Investigators have yet to offer any kind of motive for the killing.

They have not shared whether there were any interactions between Ramsey and Okland prior to the murder, or if there was any bad blood between the two women.

Defense lawyers acting on behalf of Ramsey have also highlighted two disturbing incidents that took place shortly after Okland’s 2011 murder.

One key witness tried unsuccessfully to kill themselves.

Okland was shot twice in broad daylight inside this model townhome on April 8, 2011

A second individual – a man who worked alongside Okland – took his own life a few months later.

It is unclear if the attempted suicide was in any way linked to Okland’s murder, although there is no suggestion of wrongdoing on that witness’s part.

The sister of Okland’s former coworker who died by suicide said he had been ruled out as a suspect. 

The Daily Mail has approached Ramsey’s attorneys for comment. 

Prior attempts to reach the defendant’s family were unsuccessful. The Okland family previously declined to speak to the press.