A 39-year-old newlywed was found dead under a pile of clothes in the back of her damaged and abandoned car in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon, January 28 after police obtained a search warrant for her vehicle.
Tulsa Police Department confirmed the incident, which marked the end of a desperate search for Cassidy Ritchie, who had been missing since January 20.
Ritchie, who had just married Chris Morland on January 7, was officially declared missing and endangered by Tulsa Police on January 25. The search for her involved a significant community effort, with her children and local volunteers participating in the effort. However, the search ended in heartbreak when Ritchie’s body was found in her car, located near Highway 412 between Catoosa and Inola, near the “I Don’t Care Bar and Grill.”
The vehicle bore signs of extensive off-road debris, hinting at a tumultuous journey before its abandonment.
Chris Morland, Ritchie’s new husband, is currently being questioned as a person of interest in the case. He is being held on unrelated outstanding warrants from Texas and was first questioned about his wife’s disappearance while in jail on January 25. He has an extensive criminal history including domestic violence and larceny. Morland is held without bond as a justice fugitive.
Ritchie’s eldest son Joey David, publicly acknowledged her death via social media, expressing the family’s grief and requesting privacy during this difficult time. They extended their gratitude to all those who assisted in the search for Ritchie and have asked for continued support and prayers.
Authorities are examining closely the window between 21 and 23 January which coincides with the time Morland made a solo return to the couple’s Tulsa Home. According to reports, the couple’s relationship was marked with challenges, including a previous incident of domestic violence.
The discovery of Ritchie’s body has led the police to classify the case as a homicide.
The Tulsa Police Department encourages anyone with relevant information to come forward and contact Tulsa Crime Stoppers.
