TULSA, OK – Officials accuse an Oklahoma man of killing his wife, who vanished recently and was found hidden in her wrecked car underneath clothes over the weekend. The Tulsa Police Department informed of Chris Morland’s arrest on Monday. He is facing a first-degree murder charge connected to the death of his spouse, Cassidy Ritchie, age 39. Remarkably, at the time of her death, the couple had been married for less than a month.
Authorities found Ritchie’s body on Sunday in her light blue SUV while they were executing a search warrant. It’s reported that witnesses last saw the vehicle on Friday near the I Don’t Care Bar & Grill in Catoosa, Oklahoma, and that it was wrecked off a nearby creek.
Investigators noted that Ritchie was concealed in a small space within the car and that piles of boxes and clothes were covering her. According to police, multiple injuries caused by blunt force trauma were detected on her body.
Ritchie’s parents filed a missing persons report on January 25, prompting Tulsa police to ask for the public’s help in finding her. The report came after her family hadn’t heard from her since January 21. Police had previously mentioned that Ritchie was involved in a domestic disturbance, though no more specifics were provided.
Police initially arrested Morland due to outstanding warrants from Texas on January 24. They say that during questioning, Morland provided multiple versions of different stories.
He allegedly maintained that Ritchie was visiting a friend at the time, and when asked, refused to sign a waiver permitting authorities to search Ritchie’s car, suggesting law enforcement should acquire a warrant instead.
Court records indicate that Morland and Ritchie were married in Tulsa on January 7. Police are still investigating what drove the alleged violence. It’s yet unclear whether Morland has given a plea to the charge or has appointed an attorney.