In the still, cold hours of December 30, 1999, a fire destroyed the Freeman family’s mobile home in Welch, Oklahoma. What firefighters found inside wasn’t just charred debris—it was a crime scene that would become one of America’s most heartbreaking and haunting unsolved mysteries.
Inside, the bodies of Kathy and Danny Freeman were discovered—both shot execution-style before the fire was set. But Ashley Freeman, the Freemans’ 16-year-old daughter, and her best friend Lauria Bible were missing. Their pajamas were in the bedroom. Lauria’s car was still parked outside. But the girls were simply gone.
Twenty-four years later, their bodies have never been found, and their fate remains an agonizing question.
The Sleepover That Turned Into a Nightmare
The night before, Lauria Bible had been sleeping over to celebrate Ashley’s birthday. The girls stayed up laughing, sharing snacks, and enjoying a typical teenage night. But by dawn, the home was engulfed in flames.
Firefighters initially believed the Freemans died in the fire—until bullet wounds revealed a calculated execution. Investigators searched for Ashley and Lauria as potential witnesses. Then the realization hit: they weren’t missing—they had been abducted or worse.
Missed Leads and Long-Lost Evidence
For years, the case stagnated. Rumors of drug debts, family feuds, and even local law enforcement misconduct surrounded the investigation. Many believed the case was mishandled from the beginning.
A critical piece of evidence—a car insurance verification card belonging to Warren “Phil” Welch—was found near the scene by a private investigator but mysteriously went unprocessed for years. It later became a key link in identifying suspects.
The Confession That Broke the Case Wide Open
In 2018, nearly two decades after the murders, Ronnie Dean Busick was arrested. He eventually confessed to being an accessory to the murders of Kathy and Danny Freeman and to the presumed deaths of Ashley and Lauria.
Busick implicated two accomplices: Warren Welch and David Pennington, both now deceased. According to him, the trio killed the Freemans over a drug-related dispute, then abducted the girls and held them captive before murdering them days later.
Witnesses told investigators they had seen Polaroid photos of the girls, bound and gagged, taken after the fire. The images were allegedly shown off by the suspects—but the photos have never been found.
Horrifying Theories—and Still No Bodies
Multiple disturbing theories have circulated about the girls’ final fate:
- Dumped in a river inside 55-gallon drums
- Buried in a root cellar
- Sealed in the trunk of a car and crushed in a salvage yard
Despite exhaustive searches of wells, fields, scrapyards, and mines across northeast Oklahoma, no human remains have ever been recovered.
A Conviction Without Closure
In 2020, Busick was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. But for the families, justice remains heartbreakingly incomplete.
“We got a confession, but we didn’t get our girls,” said Lorene Bible, Lauria’s mother. “We can’t bury them. We still wait.”
The Families Who Refuse to Give Up
For over two decades, the Bible and Freeman families have never stopped searching. They’ve organized volunteer searches, raised reward money, and pushed law enforcement to keep the case active.
Investigator Gary Stansill, who helped reignite the case, believes the truth is still out there.
“I believe the girls can be found. But will they? That depends on whether someone finally talks.”
Every tip, every whisper, every new lead is chased down. Hope is slim—but it isn’t gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible?
They were two 16-year-old best friends who disappeared from Welch, Oklahoma, after a house fire and double homicide in 1999.
Were the suspects ever caught?
Yes. Ronnie Dean Busick was arrested and convicted in 2020. He named two accomplices, both now deceased.
Have the girls’ remains ever been found?
No. Despite extensive searches, Ashley and Lauria’s bodies have never been recovered.
What evidence linked the suspects to the crime?
Witnesses saw Polaroid photos of the girls tied up. An insurance card belonging to one suspect was found near the crime scene.
Is the case still open?
Yes. It remains an active investigation, and law enforcement continues to seek credible leads.
Where can I submit a tip?
Tips can be submitted to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation or local law enforcement handling the Welch case.
Conclusion: A Cold Case That Still Burns
The disappearance of Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible is more than just a true crime story—it’s a wound that refuses to heal. It’s a case built on lost evidence, missed chances, and unimaginable cruelty.
But it’s also a testament to relentless love, undying hope, and the refusal of two families to stop fighting.
Until Ashley and Lauria are found, their story isn’t over. And neither is the pursuit of justice.