ADEL, IOWA — Kristin Ramsey pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the killing of real estate agent Ashley Okland at a hearing on April 10, 2026, in Adel, Iowa, nearly 15 years after Okland was found dead.

Okland, 27, was found dead at a model townhome in West Des Moines, Iowa, on April 8, 2011, while hosting an open house. A witness in an adjoining townhome heard two loud noises described as thuds, three to four seconds apart, according to court filings. The witness entered the model home, discovered Okland unresponsive on the ground, and called 911.

Prosecutors said a neighbor who called 911 saw Ramsey outside the front door of the model home, pacing by her car and talking on her cellphone before driving off and returning about 15 minutes later. Ramsey had worked for Rottlund Homes of Iowa, which employed independent real estate agents for sales. Rottlund owned the model home where Okland was killed.

A grand jury indicted Ramsey on March 17, 2026, on a charge of first-degree murder, and she was arrested that day, according to court documents. Her bail was set at $2 million, according to court filings. Court documents filed ahead of her arraignment and bail review hearing gave limited insight into the grand jury proceedings.

Ramsey's attorneys argued that prosecutors presented only a subset of the evidence to the grand jury and did not include a weapon, ballistics evidence, or DNA evidence. Ramsey was initially appointed a public defender and is now represented by private defense attorneys.

Ramsey appeared in court on April 10, 2026, wearing a pantsuit with one arm and both feet shackled. She has lived in Woodward, Iowa, a small rural town about 25 miles northwest of Des Moines, since she was a child.

Okland's death prompted the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors to push for the creation of safety standards and guidance for agents. That safety pledge is promoted by the National Association of Realtors and is used by hundreds of state and local associations across the U.S. Trial is set to begin in January 2027.