An Oklahoma man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his missing wife, whose body was discovered inside her wrecked car concealed beneath a pile of clothing over the weekend, according to authorities.
Chris Morland was taken into custody on Monday, accused of murdering his wife, 39-year-old Cassidy Ritchie, with whom he had been married for less than a month. The Tulsa Police Department made the announcement on Sunday.
Ritchie’s lifeless body was found during the execution of a search warrant on her light blue SUV, which had been reported as involved in an accident near a creek in Catoosa, Oklahoma, close to the I Don’t Care Bar & Grill, based on witness reports. Her vehicle was last seen near the bar on Friday.
Ritchie was discovered inside her SUV, concealed within a very confined space and hidden beneath clothing and boxes. She had sustained multiple injuries consistent with blunt force trauma, as reported by the police.
Concerns about Ritchie’s well-being were raised on January 25 when her family reported her missing to the Tulsa police. They had not been in contact with her since January 21. At that time, the police also mentioned that Ritchie had been involved in a domestic disturbance but provided no further details.