Wichita Falls, Texas – A man accused of domestic violence a few years ago is now facing murder charges in the death of his new wife, just days after their marriage in Oklahoma.
Chris Edward Morland Jr., 49, was taken into custody after his new wife, Cassidy Ritchie, was discovered dead. Police found her body hidden in the back of her vehicle, covered with clothing and boxes, just days after their wedding. Ritchie had suffered several injuries from blunt force trauma, according to Tulsa police.
Morland is currently being held in Tulsa County Jail. He is expected to appear in court to face murder allegations. Despite his arrest in Tulsa, he could still face additional charges in Tulsa County or Rogers County, according to police.
Ritchie’s parents had filed a missing persons report with Tulsa police after not hearing from her since January 21. The 39-year-old woman had not been in contact with her parents or children. Morland and Ritchie were married on January 7 in Tulsa, according to Oklahoma court records. Morland was arrested on January 24 on Texas warrants and transported to the Tulsa Police Department’s Detective Division.
Police had received multiple conflicting stories from Morland regarding Ritchie’s whereabouts. Eventually, her vehicle was found near the I Don’t Care Bar & Grill about seven miles east of Catoosa, Oklahoma. Subsequently, authorities discovered the damaged vehicle off a creek at 30200 E. Admiral Place.
Ritchie’s divorce records revealed that she had filed for divorce from Morland in 2022, citing incompatibility. The divorce petition indicated that they had been separated since September 2021.
At the time of his arrest, Morland was on probation for three Tulsa County charges, including obstructing an officer and public intoxication. He had been given deferred sentences and placed on probation. The case continues to develop, and more updates are expected as the investigation unfolds.