Prison-jail-cell
Prison-Jail-Cell

Newlywed sentenced to life in prison after wife’s brutal murder

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1 min read
October 20, 2025

Tulsa, OK – Chris Edward Morland, age 50, has been sentenced to life without parole for the murder of his wife Cassidy Ritchie. A jury found Morland guilty of first-degree murder on Thursday after he killed Ritchie just weeks after their wedding.

Tulsa County District Judge Doug Drummond ordered the sentence on Monday. Ritchie, 39, was discovered deceased in her car on January 28.

She had last been seen alive on January 20 and was reported missing by family. On January 25, the Tulsa Police Department issued a “missing and endangered” alert and subsequently found her vehicle abandoned.

Evidence indicated Morland was the last person to see Ritchie alive. After law enforcement found a key to Ritchie’s vehicle on him, conflicting statements led to his confession.

Morland admitted to a fight with Ritchie that escalated, resulting in her death. He later placed her body in the trunk of her SUV and covered her with clothing.

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