OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General John O’Connor’s Office will prosecute a first-degree murder charge filed against Cody Ketchum, 36, in the 2017 murder of Holly Cantrell. The charge came after the state multicounty grand jury indicted Ketchum.
Ms. Cantrell was 40 years old when she went missing in January 2017, after she left work at McAlester Regional Health Center during her lunch break.
“The multicounty grand jury is an invaluable resource the state depends on to assist law enforcement and prosecutors in complex cases like this,” said General O’Connor. “I appreciate those serving in law enforcement, who assisted in this investigation, and those serving on the multicounty grand jury for their dedication to this public service. My staff is committed to investigating cold cases and will continue to seek justice for the families of victims of violent crime.”
The Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into Cantrell’s death after her remains were found in February 2018 in northern Pittsburg County.
According to the indictment, Ketchum is accused of deleting text messages from his cell phone that were sent between himself and Cantrell.
Ketchum is charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of destroying evidence.
All defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
The multicounty grand jury has jurisdiction to investigate crimes committed in any of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. Grand jurors serve for 18 months, hearing testimony two or three days each month at the Attorney General’s office in Oklahoma City. Grand Jury proceedings are confidential and closed to the public.