Charly Haley

chaley@dmreg.com

Five years after the murder of 27-year-old real estate agent Ashley Okland in West Des Moines, the case still remains unsolved.

Friday was the five-year anniversary of Okland's death, and West Des Moines Police issued a news release to ask anyone with information about the murder to come forward.

"Even with the passage of time, investigators assigned to this case are confident that someone has important knowledge about the time leading up to her death and the identities of those involved," police said.

A reward of up to $150,000 is available for information leading to the arrest of Okland's killer.

Okland was an employee of Iowa Realty Co., and had been showing a model townhouse when she was killed on April 8, 2011.

A Rottlund Homes employee had heard a commotion inside the model townhouse at 558 Stone Creek Court, and when the employee went inside to investigate, they found Okland on the floor, shot twice, according to IowaColdCases.org.

Medics rushed Okland to the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, where she later died.

West Des Moines police no closer to arrest in Okland case

West Des Moines police have investigated almost 800 leads and have had contact with about 400 people during the investigation, according to the Friday release.

In October 2014, West Des Moines police thought a man being investigated in Arkansas for killing a real estate agent near Little Rock may have been connected to Okland's slaying, but police later told The Des Moines Register that the man was no longer considered a suspect.

Okland's death gained national attention, and the case caused the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors to examine safety protocol for real estate agents.

In May 2014, Ashley Okland Star Playground, a specialized park for handicapped children, opened in her name.

"As we pass this tragic milestone (of five years), we are asking those who can bring this information to light come forward and help provide closure to those affected by the loss of this successful and vibrant young woman," police said in the news release.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa at 515-223-1400 or www.polkcountycrimestoppers.org. Tips can also be sent via text message by starting the text with "PCCS," followed by the information, and sending it to CRIMES (274637).