INOLA, Okla. – On Sunday, Jan 28 Mvskoke citizen Cassidy Ritchie was found dead in the trunk of her abandoned blue Chrysler Pacifica with a registered Muscogee (Creek) Nation plate near the I Don’t Care Bar and Grill. Detectives discovered the body after serving a search warrant and later declared it a homicide. Ritchie had not been in communication with her family in several days. Tulsa Police declared her missing and possibly endangered on Thursday, Jan 25. Ritchie’s husband, Chris Morland is currently the prime suspect in the case and was arrested for first degree murder on Monday, Jan 29. His bond was set at $5 million.
According to the Nation, Lighthorse police were involved in the investigation, thus the case will be charged as a federal crime. Law enforcement was unable to search Ritchie’s damaged vehicle before a search warrant was issued. It was reported that Ritchie’s body was found hidden under clothes.
Ritchie and Morland were newlyweds who had just been married on Jan. 7. Morland had a history of charges related to domestic violence in other states outside of Oklahoma. Ritchie was the mother of four.
In a statement released on Facebook, Ritchie’s family expressed their gratitude for friends and community members who helped in search efforts for Cassidy. The statement reads, “Our mother has been found. Unfortunately, she is no longer with us. We cannot say anything more as it is an ongoing investigation. Thank you to everyone who took the time out of their day yesterday to help search for her. Thank you to all the friends, family, and strangers who came out, and thank you to everyone who has kept us in your thoughts and prayers. Please give my family and I privacy as we deal with the grieving process.”
Domestic violence intervention services are available for MCN citizens through the MCN Center for Victim Services. The department provides support for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help Ritchie’s family cover funeral arrangements at this time. The page will not only help support family members, it will also promote awareness of domestic violence issues and the resources available for victims.
A Cross Ceremony will be held for Ritchie on Friday, Feb. 2 at the area where she was found near the I Don’t Care Bar and Grill. The family plans to park at the restaurant, then hold the ceremony where she was found. The restaurant is located at 11015 E 590 Rd in Catoosa, and is open to the public. An open visitation is scheduled for the following day, Saturday, Feb. 3 at the Moores Funeral Home Eastlawn Chapel at 1908 S Memorial Dr. in Tulsa from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, call the MCN Family Violence main phone number at 918-732-7979. For after hours services call MCNLP at 918-732-7800.
