Missing Oklahoma newlywed found dead underneath clothing in the back of her car
01/29/2024 1:03 pm PST
TULSA, Okla. (TCD) -- A homicide investigation is underway after police found the remains of a missing 39-year-old mother in the back of her SUV over the weekend.
According to the Tulsa Police Department, Cassidy Ritchie’s family had not heard from her since Saturday, Jan. 20, and reported her missing. Officers noted in their missing person bulletin that Ritchie was "involved in a domestic disturbance" not long before her disappearance.
In an update, police said Ritchie’s light blue 2006 Chrysler Pacifica was found stuck on the road near the I Don’t Care Bar & Grill sometime between Sunday, Jan. 21, and Tuesday, Jan. 23. A civilian reportedly helped pull the vehicle out of the ditch, and police asked the person to come forward. Investigators believe Ritchie might have been the victim of foul play.
Her car reportedly had "extensive off-road debris on it."
Tulsa Police said Ritchie has a past with domestic violence incidents.
Police detectives eventually obtained a search warrant for the SUV and discovered Ritchie’s body buried underneath clothing in the back of the vehicle.
According to KOKI-TV, investigators identified Ritchie’s husband, Chris Morland, as a person of interest after he reportedly went to the couple’s shared home alone sometime between Jan. 21 and Jan. 23. Ritchie had reportedly been married to him for less than a month, and police allegedly called their relationship "tumultuous."
Morland was arrested on warrants out of Texas on Jan. 25 regarding a separate case, KOKI reports.
MORE:
- MISSING PERSON — Need information on a Good Samaritan - Tulsa Police Department
- Update to Missing Person Cassidy Ritchie - Tulsa Police Department
- Foul Play Is Suspected in Missing Woman Case - Tulsa Police Department
- Missing and Endangered - Tulsa Police Department
- Family and friends search for missing 39-year-old woman - KOKI
- Former coworkers remember 39-year-old women after Tulsa Police find her body - KOKI
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