Unsolved Cold Cases in Oklahoma: The Most Baffling Case
These Case Intrigue, Mystify, and are Baffling to Most People
Unsolved Cold Cases in Oklahoma: The Most Baffling Case
Oklahoma, a land of wide-open plains and deep-rooted history, has its share of mysteries that remain unsolved. While the state is known for its resilience and community spirit, some crimes have left families and investigators perplexed for decades. The following cases stand out not only for their brutality but also for the strange and often inexplicable details that defy logic.
The Unsolved Murder of Rex Harper
On November 14, 1990, Rex Harper, a well-known businessman in Ada, Oklahoma, was found dead in his home. He had been shot multiple times in what appeared to be an execution-style killing. Strangely, nothing in the house was stolen, and there were no signs of forced entry, suggesting that Harper may have known his killer.
Investigators followed numerous leads, but none led to a viable suspect. Over the years, theories ranged from a business dispute to a personal vendetta, but no solid evidence ever surfaced. Despite advances in forensic science, Rex Harper's murder remains a cold case, leaving his family without closure. The case still haunts Ada, a town that has seen its share of infamous crimes, including the wrongful convictions tied to the murder of Debbie Carter and Denice Haraway. Yet, despite media attention and appeals for new information, Harper's killer remains unidentified.
The Disappearance of Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman
On December 30, 1999, in Welch, Oklahoma, best friends Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman had a sleepover to celebrate Ashley’s birthday. That night, the Freeman family’s mobile home burned to the ground, and the bodies of Ashley’s parents, Danny and Kathy Freeman, were discovered inside, both having been shot to death. Lauria and Ashley were nowhere to be found.
Authorities initially believed the fire was an accident, but upon discovering the Freemans had been murdered, the case took a sinister turn. Over the years, multiple suspects were considered, and in 2018, investigators revealed that three men—Ronnie Busick, Phil Welch, and David Pennington—were involved in the kidnapping and presumed murder of the girls. Busick was convicted, but with Welch and Pennington deceased, many questions remain unanswered. Despite decades of searching, Lauria and Ashley’s remains have never been found, leaving the case hauntingly open-ended and their families without closure.
The Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders
In 1977, one of the most chilling cases in Oklahoma history unfolded at Camp Scott, a Girl Scout camp near Locust Grove. Three young girls—Lori Lee Farmer (8), Doris Denise Milner (10), and Michele Heather Guse (9)—were brutally murdered on the first night of their camping trip. Their bodies were found outside their tent, having been sexually assaulted and strangled. Suspicion fell on Gene Leroy Hart, a convicted rapist and fugitive who had escaped from prison. Hart was eventually captured and tried, but despite overwhelming public belief in his guilt, he was acquitted due to lack of concrete evidence.
The case remains officially unsolved, though many still believe Hart was responsible. To this day, the murders continue to cast a shadow over the community and serve as a chilling reminder of the dangers that lurk even in places meant for joy and learning. New forensic analysis has been conducted over the years, and while DNA testing has linked Hart to the crime scene, there is still not enough conclusive evidence to close the case definitively.
The Strange Case of The Lady in the Well
In 1992, the skeletal remains of an unidentified woman were discovered in an abandoned well in rural Love County, Oklahoma. She had been bound and murdered, her body hidden for an unknown number of years. Forensic testing suggested she was between 30 and 50 years old, possibly of Native American or Hispanic descent.
Despite several forensic reconstructions and public appeals for information, no one has ever come forward to identify her. Investigators suspect foul play, but with little evidence and no name to attach to the victim, her murder remains a ghostly enigma. Her case is one of many involving unidentified remains in Oklahoma, a state where transient populations and vast rural landscapes often make forensic investigations difficult.
The Unexplained Vanishing of Tommy Raymond Ray
In 2015, 29-year-old Tommy Raymond Ray was last seen leaving a friend’s house in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He told his family he would return soon, but he never did. His truck was found abandoned in a remote area with no signs of struggle or foul play.
Despite extensive searches and interviews, no trace of Tommy has ever been found. His disappearance remains one of Oklahoma’s strangest missing person cases, with no clear explanation as to what happened. Some believe he left voluntarily, while others suspect foul play, but without new leads, the truth remains elusive. The case remains an active missing persons investigation, with authorities still asking the public for any information that might lead to answers.
The Unsolved Murder of Carina Saunders
One of the most disturbing cold cases in Oklahoma’s recent history is the murder of 19-year-old Carina Saunders. In 2011, her dismembered remains were found stuffed into a duffel bag behind a grocery store in Bethany, Oklahoma. The gruesome nature of the crime suggested she had been tortured before her death.
Investigators initially believed her murder was tied to human trafficking or drug-related violence. Multiple arrests were made over the years, but no convictions stuck due to a lack of solid evidence. Her murder remains unsolved, with authorities still seeking information that could bring those responsible to justice.
The Unanswered Questions
These cases, among many others, continue to weigh heavily on the minds of the families left behind. Each one represents a story that remains unfinished, a life that was lost without justice. The emotional toll on the victims' loved ones is immeasurable, as they hold onto hope that new evidence or a break in the case will one day provide the answers they seek.
Oklahoma law enforcement agencies regularly revisit cold cases, hoping that new forensic advancements, witness testimonies, or fresh perspectives might provide the missing pieces needed to solve these crimes. The public plays a crucial role in solving cold cases—sometimes, a single tip can unravel years of mystery and speculation.
Searching for Justice
These cases highlight the challenges of solving cold cases in a state with vast rural landscapes, transient populations, and limited forensic resources. Despite these obstacles, families and law enforcement officials remain determined to find the truth.
The internet and social media have breathed new life into these investigations, allowing amateur sleuths and advocacy groups to raise awareness and share vital information. Oklahoma’s unsolved cases have found new interest from true crime enthusiasts, journalists, and cold case investigators who refuse to let these mysteries fade into obscurity.
If you have any information on these or other cold cases, authorities urge you to come forward. Even the smallest detail could be the key to unraveling these long-standing mysteries. While these cases remain unsolved for now, the pursuit of justice never truly ends.