Realtor slain in model home
Last Friday, tragedy struck the real estate community when 27 year old Des Moines Realtor Ashley Okland was fatally shot twice while at a model home open house.
Immediately, the Des Moines police stated they believed it was an isolated incident despite having no suspects. Over the weekend, a neighbor came forward noting they heard a “commotion.”
Suspecting another Realtor
Today, the DesMoinesRegister reports that West Des Moines’ Lt. Jim Barrett said this morning that “police do not need the public’s help in locating a man seen talking with slain real estate agent Ashley Okland in the months leading up to her death.”
Earlier this week, officials asked the community for help in identifying a “scruffy” young man in a black vehicle resembling an Escalade who had been seen at the model with Okland before.
The Register said, “Barrett said the man is believed to be another Realtor. The police sent out a description of the man and his vehicle to area real estate agents Monday. He said today that those individuals are the people most likely to know the man.”
Laying Okland to rest
Results of the Monday autopsy have not yet been released. Channel 5 reports, “A memorial fund has been established by Ashley Okland’s family. You can send donations to 30048 530th Avenue, Kelley, IA 50134, which is where she was from. Money sent will be distributed to Okland’s favorite charities.”
There is a visitation planned for the Fjeldberg Lutheran Church in Huxley Tuesday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. Okland will be buried in Huxley.
Editor’s note: Realtors, while we do not yet know what happened or if “safety” was of any issue, we still urge you to trust your instincts and to stay safe. Please pray for the Okley family and the shaken Des Moines real estate community.
Updates
April 14, 5:30cst: Des Moines Register reports 1,600 attended Okland’s funeral today. Still no suspects or leads leaving a frustrated real estate community and a mourning family. Rest in peace, Ashley, we believe justice will be served in your honor.
April 15, 2:18cst: Des Moines Register just reported that a search warrant has been issued in the case, but police spokespeople will not provide any details of the warrant.
April 16, 6:44cst: Des Moines Register reports the reward has been increased again to $66,785, they still seek a “scruffy” man, the search warrant has not yielded any reports from police who have received 340 tips and leads.
James Malanowski
April 13, 2011 at 1:36 pm
I know this market has been murder, but who knew … 😉
Tyler
April 13, 2011 at 3:11 pm
@ James — Not funny. This Realtor was a personal friend of mine.
Nice attempt. Might consider others next time.
James Malanowski
April 14, 2011 at 12:57 am
Sorry for your loss, but really? If you comment on the nice weather you're enjoying it's bound to offend someone stuck in a snow storm.
Making light of a bad situation. Nothing personal intended.
Aaron Catt
April 13, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Tasteless…
James Malanowski
April 14, 2011 at 12:58 am
What, too soon?
Matthew Rathbun
April 14, 2011 at 6:56 am
James,
Seriously!?!? What kind of person would make a remark like this? Yeah, this certainly reminds me how "honorable" the profession is.
Trying to say that the weather maybe offensive, is anything near the death of a person really makes me question your moral compass…
James Malanowski
April 14, 2011 at 10:39 am
I may be insensitive at times, but my moral compass is fine thank you very much.
Ahnika Patrick
April 14, 2011 at 12:20 pm
James,
Please regain your sensitivity and remove your posts. You do not know how disturbing they could be to family and friends.
Kent
April 15, 2011 at 11:58 pm
This response is to James Malanowski. You are one sick person. "Making light of a bad situation, nothing personal intended" – since when have you grown up – have you heard of the saying, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all?" Either you've forgotten that or purposely decide to not have any feelings towards anyone dealing with a loss of a loved one. If you knew it was going to offend someone, then it's best to not have said anything at all. You have one mouth and two ears. Obviously, you enjoy using your mouth more than your ears. Again, you are one sick person.
sharon
April 17, 2011 at 4:01 pm
NOT FUNNY DUDE
lorraine
April 27, 2011 at 8:50 pm
stupid… how dare you! not the time for jokes A-hole!
Tyler
April 13, 2011 at 3:14 pm
This has been a terrible tragedy. I was personal friends with Ashley and those who knew her would explain that she had no enemies. She smiled at everyone, was very generous with her time with charities and it's hard to believe she had any enemies.
In short though, we all hope the person who did this is caught. Nobody should lose their life so senselessly.
Small world seeing Iowa real estate news on Agent Genius after being a long time reader (over 3 years now?…).
Matthew Rathbun
April 14, 2011 at 6:58 am
This is very sad to hear and my prayers go out for this young lady's friends and family.
sharon
April 17, 2011 at 4:08 pm
What does this all say about our profession? First we KILL another REALTOR over what? and then we make RUDE TASTELESS comments about the tragic death of a beautiful young lady.
Sad Sad Sad is all I can say, no wonder Realtors have bad reputations.
lorraine
April 27, 2011 at 8:55 pm
amen! not so much another realtor…we don't know the circumstances. but…the tasteless comments are so unnecessary. how can we get THOSE people out of the business!!
James Malanowski
April 17, 2011 at 5:44 pm
@Susan: "First we KILL another REALTOR over what?" Are you admitting that you had part in this crime? I know that *I* had nothing to do with it.
@Everyone else that says I'm a horrible person:
I find it amusing that there are more comments on this article attacking my "moral compass" and wishing harm to my and my family's well-being than actually showing support to the victim.
REALTORS aren't Saints, we are human, so saying that "it's no wonder that REALTORS have bad reps" because of a comment that I made is foolish and ridiculous. I think that those of you that have come out and accused me of being an evil and heartless person that brings down our profession ought to take a look in the mirror and compare the tone of your comments to my original attempt to bring a quick smile to a bad situation.
In fact, think back on your life and count the number of times you have said something or even THOUGHT something that may have been offensive to someone else and then tell me if you should be throwing stones in a glass house.
I considered taking down my original comment out of respect for the owners of this site because I could see where this was going but I decided against it because I figured that left alone long enough, it would be apparent which of you are really the evil and heartless members of our group.
My comment was not a personal attack against anyone nor was it intended to belittle the atrocity. REALTOR or not, it is tragic that this person was murdered and why anyone is amazed that another REALTOR is accused of the crime is beyond me. The facts of the case aren't known and that the parties involved both happen to sell homes for a living doesn't make the situation any better or worse.
The REALTOR pin on your lapel does not make you holier than thou … I suggest you all stop acting like you are. If we were all wearing Pope hats, this would be a different discussion.
Yeah, I said it. Get over yourselves, people.
PS: Lani or Benn, if you feel that any of my comments here are inappropriate, feel free to take them down as this is your site. I won't be offended nor will I wish poverty on you or your family. 🙂
lorraine
April 27, 2011 at 8:57 pm
take a dive dude… you have NO class. get over yourself and take that job at K-Mart if it is still available!
Benn Rosales
April 18, 2011 at 1:01 am
It's human to say awkward things in awkward times, I've done it a trillion times if I've done it once.
It honors no one's memory to berate anyone in moments like these. We're all human, and James you've always been a stand up guy.
I pray for patience for everyone, healing, and a renewed spirit of community as I believe it better serves Ashley's legacy.
James, if you request removal of your comment, we're happy to do so, however, you must officially request it via talk at agentgenius.com.
God bless and grace us all with his peace in this most holiest of weeks.
Erica
May 20, 2011 at 1:31 am
So nasty James- would your comment be the same if this story was about your mom/sister/wife? yea don't think so. Then Your comment with 5 paragraphs defending yourself makes us question, "tell us how you really feel?" and pulling things outta no where that no one even brought up. Enough attention on u and your sad self. Rest in peace Ashley, I feel as though I can relate as I am of similar age and often get nervous about holding open houses. My step mom was murdered and as a family member first hand- it is a night marish time getting through it(all the more reason why "making light of the situation") is never appropriate in situations like these. My condolences to her friends and family.