DALLAS COUNTY, Iowa (KCCI/KCRG) – Attorneys for the woman charged with killing Ashley Okland allege evidence in the case has been lost or destroyed. 53-year-old Kristen Ramsey is charged with first-degree murder in Okland’s death. Okland was fatally shot on April 8, 2011, while holding an open house for a home she was selling in West Des Moines. Ramsey’s lawyers have filed a motion saying law enforcement has either lost or destroyed evidence since Okland’s death that could help their case. “The state has informed the defense that law enforcement either lost or destroyed evidence, case information, or both since Ms. Okland’s death,” the filing states. The motion requests sworn affidavits listing all evidence or information that was lost, destroyed, altered, deleted, or disposed of. Prosecutors have pointed to a witness who heard loud noises and saw Ramsey drive away at the time of the shooting. The defense is asking for information on any evidence that is now gone and asking the state to hand over all investigative information, including information of anyone who was actively investigated at the time. Ramsey is scheduled to be arraigned in April.
CENTER POINT, Iowa (KCRG) – A woman was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash Tuesday in Center Point. Authorities responded to a motorcycle accident with injuries in the 4200 block of North Center Point Road at 5:07 p.m. Upon arrival, authorities found a woman rider on a motorcycle that multiple witnesses say had entered the east ditch and flipped over her handlebars. The woman was the only rider and taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The incident remains under investigation.
TAMA COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – The Tama County Sheriff’s Office shared some warnings for people going storm spotting after pulling over a driver for speeding. The post said a deputy caught someone going at least 98 miles per hour trying to chase a storm. The post continues that it’s even more reckless when road conditions are less than ideal. “Storm spotting does not give anyone a free pass to drive like that,” the post reads. The post says the Sheriff’s Office supports storm chasing — if it’s done responsibly.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa has recorded 75 traffic fatalities so far this year, according to data from the Iowa Department of Transportation. That marks an increase of 15 deadly crashes compared to the same period in 2025, when 60 fatalities were reported from January through mid-April. Four of the deaths occurred in the past two weeks. The 2026 total also exceeds the five-year average of 66 fatalities for the same time period.
