Deadly Deals: The Dark Side of Real Estate That No One Talks About
On April 8, 2011, what should have been a routine open house turned into a chilling crime scene. Ashley Okland, a 27-year-old real estate agent, was showcasing a model townhome in the serene suburb of West Des Moines, Iowa. It was a sunny afternoon—perfect for house hunting. But just before 2 p.m., the tranquility shattered.
A nearby worker heard a commotion inside the townhome. When they went to investigate, they found Okland unconscious and bleeding on the floor. Medics rushed her to a trauma center, but the young agent succumbed to two gunshot wounds.
There was no forced entry, no sign of struggle, and nothing appeared stolen. The case made national headlines. Despite nearly 900 leads and 500 interviews, no suspect was ever identified. Okland’s murder remains unsolved to this day.
A Pattern of Violence: The Beverly Carter Case
If Okland’s case was an anomaly, the brutal murder of Beverly Carter in 2014 confirmed a terrifying pattern. The 50-year-old top-selling Arkansas real estate agent was known for her professionalism and kindness. But on September 25, 2014, she disappeared after showing a house in an isolated area outside Little Rock.
Two weeks later, investigators discovered Carter’s body buried in a shallow grave. Her killers, Aaron Lewis and his estranged wife Crystal Lowery, had lured her to the showing under false pretenses, planning to hold her for ransom. When their plan unraveled, they murdered her in cold blood. Lewis was sentenced to two life terms, while Lowery received 30 years.
When asked why they chose Carter, Lewis’s response was as chilling as it was revealing: “Because she was just a woman that worked alone—a rich broker.”
The Startling Truth: Real Estate Agents at Risk
These cases aren’t isolated incidents. Real estate is, alarmingly, one of the most dangerous professions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 23 real estate professionals died from workplace violence in 2022 alone. Meanwhile, a National Association of Realtors (NAR) survey found that 2% of residential real estate agents reported being victims of a crime while on the job—including robbery, physical assault, and even attempted murder. That translates to 30,000 agents facing real threats every day.
Even more concerning, 23% of agents reported regularly fearing for their safety. It’s not just women at risk—men in the industry have also faced attacks and violent encounters with criminals posing as clients.
Fighting Back: How Agents Are Protecting Themselves
For Jen Stanbrough, a managing broker in West Des Moines and a close friend of Ashley Okland, the tragedy was a wake-up call.
“I hadn’t been taught or thought about precautions,” she admits. But after Okland’s murder, Stanbrough became a vocal advocate for real estate safety. She helped establish the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors’ Safety Committee and co-authored the REALTOR® Safety Pledge. She also worked on the National Association of Realtors Safe Showing Listing Form, a tool used to discuss security measures with home sellers.
At a 2023 REALTOR® Safety Month webinar, Stanbrough issued a stark warning: “It can happen to you, to one of your friends, a colleague, or family member. I don’t tell you that to scare you; I want you to be prepared.”
Safety First: Smart Strategies for Real Estate Agents
Stanbrough and Geoff Fahringer, a law enforcement officer and NAR safety instructor, offer these critical tips to keep real estate professionals safe:
✅ Screen Your Clients: Run background checks, research potential clients on social media, and Google their names to uncover any red flags.
✅ Keep Detailed Records: Maintain a shareable calendar and an extensive client contact database, including full names, phone numbers, addresses, and additional notes.
✅ Stay in Touch: Use tracking apps like Life360 and the Find My Phone feature to let trusted contacts know your whereabouts at all times.
✅ Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Park in well-lit areas where you can’t be blocked in. Avoid distractions like smartphones while walking to and from properties.
✅ Take Precautions at Open Houses: Use a buddy system when possible. Keep clients in front of you at all times, and maintain a safe distance. Set up portable security cameras to stream live footage of open houses for an added layer of protection.
✅ Know When to Walk Away: If a situation feels off, trust your instincts. No sale is worth your life.
The Hard Truth: Awareness Saves Lives
While safety protocols have improved in recent years, many agents still prioritize potential sales over their own security. “We get complacent,” Stanbrough acknowledges. “But we have to continue training and implementing safe practices every day.”
The real estate industry may offer freedom and financial opportunity, but it comes with undeniable risks. By staying vigilant and holding one another accountable, agents can avoid becoming the next tragic headline.
Real estate isn’t just about closing deals—it’s about making it home safely at the end of the day.
