The Deck Podcast Episode Summary: "REMEMBERING: Owachige Osceola (8 of Diamonds, Oklahoma)"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Deck
• Host/Author: audiochuck
• Episode: REMEMBERING: Owachige Osceola (8 of Diamonds, Oklahoma)
• Release Date: May 21, 2025

Introduction

In this poignant episode of The Deck, host Ashley Flowers revisits the heartbreaking case of Owachige Osceola, a young woman whose tragic and unresolved death continues to seek justice. The episode not only delves into the details of her case but also highlights systemic challenges faced by missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP) in the United States.

Background of Owachige Osceola

Owachige Osceola, also known as Iwachigi, was a member of the Seminole tribe, born and raised on the Big Cypress Reservation in Florida. Her sudden disappearance and subsequent death in Norman, Oklahoma, remain shrouded in mystery and unresolved questions.

Timeline of Events

1. September 25, 2013:

   • Owachige was in her apartment in Norman, Oklahoma.
   • Around 6:00 AM, Owachige posted a concerning Facebook status: "Moose is Tryna K.M." (Timestamp: 09:00).
   • Her friend, Toni Brown, noticed the status and became alarmed when Owachige did not respond to calls or texts.

2. Investigation Begins:

   • Toni and friends drove to Owachige's apartment, finding evidence of forced entry with shoe prints and a splintered door frame.
   • Police discovered Owachige deceased in an upstairs bedroom, with no visible wounds but signs of a violent struggle, including bloodstains and disarrayed living spaces.

3. 911 Calls:

   • Owachige made two 911 calls on the day of her death:
     • The first was unclear, suggesting distress (Timestamp: 09:53).
     • The second attempted to rectify the situation as an accidental dial (Timestamp: 10:03).
   • Detective Jim Parks noted these calls as critical yet frustrating elements of the case.

Investigation and Evidence

• Motive and Suspects:

  • Evidence pointed towards Rob Ross, known as Cocaine Rob, a drug dealer with a criminal history.
  • Surveillance footage placed Rob at the Riverwind Casino on the morning of Owachige's death, matching the timeline of her last known activities.
  • Cell phone records and text messages between Owachige and Rob suggested a troubled relationship, with the Facebook status interpreted as "Moose is trying to kill me."

• Forensic Findings:

  • Autopsy Results: Initial autopsy listed Owachige's death as "undetermined" both in cause and manner, preventing immediate homicide charges.
    • Roberta Osceola, Owachige's mother, expressed profound devastation over this classification: "I don't know what else to say about that except I'm not going to accept undetermined." (Timestamp: 30:00).

• Physical Evidence:

  • DNA Analysis: Confirmed that Rob had engaged in intercourse with Owachige through semen evidence found.
  • Shoe Prints: Tread impressions at the scene matched Rob's shoes from the murder night.

Challenges and Obstacles

1. Medical Examiner's Ruling:

   • The Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner maintained Owachige's death as undetermined, despite conflicting evidence suggesting strangulation.
   • Detective Parks criticized the ME's stance, advocating for a reclassification to homicide: "The manner of death was homicide. The cause of death was homicide by unknown means." (Timestamp: 31:36).

2. Governor's Veto:

   • In May 2025, the Oklahoma Governor vetoed a bill aimed at funding MMIP cases, citing, "justice must be blind to race." This decision has further hindered the pursuit of justice for Owachige and other Indigenous victims.

3. Police Protocol Failures:

   • Missed opportunities for timely intervention due to the mishandling of 911 calls, leading to delays in responding to Owachige's initial distress signals.

Developments and Reopened Case

• Reopening the Investigation (2017):

  • Detective Parks reopened the case, collaborating with the FBI and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner's Office in Maryland.
  • In April 2019, the federal ME reclassified the manner of death as homicide: "The manner of death was homicide. The cause of death was homicide by unknown means." (Timestamp: 31:36).

• Legal Impasse:

  • Despite robust evidence against Rob Ross, prosecutors declined to press charges due to the ME's initial undetermined classification.
  • Detective Parks advocated for charges regardless, emphasizing the need for judicial determination: "It needs to be done." (Timestamp: 34:04).

Current Status and Appeal for Justice

As of the episode's release in May 2025, no arrests have been made in connection with Owachige Osceola's death. Her missing phone and debit card remain unfound, and the case remains officially unsolved.

Roberta Osceola, devastated by the lack of closure, continues to seek justice: "He will seek justice for me and Owachigi and whoever did this to her. He's going to answer to the Lord." (Timestamp: 35:05).

Detective Jim Parks emphasizes the need for continued advocacy:

• "Should the district attorney file a case against Robert Ross for the death of Awashakie? Absolutely."
• He also highlights systemic failures: "Norman Police department fell down on this case." (Timestamp: 34:04).

Call to Action

Ashley Flowers urges listeners to support the quest for justice by:

• Sending letters to the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office.
• Calling for an independent review of the autopsy methodology.
• Providing any additional information to the Norman Police Department at 405-366-52208.

"We need to show them that people are paying attention and that Owachogee deserves justice." (Timestamp: 35:28)

Conclusion

The case of Owachige Osceola serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous communities in seeking justice. Despite significant evidence pointing towards Rob Ross, systemic barriers and procedural mishaps have left her family without closure. The Deck podcast underscores the importance of persistent advocacy and community involvement in resolving such cold cases.

Notable Quotes:

• Roberta Osceola: "I'm not going to accept undetermined. Something has to happen or somebody has to say something to change that." (Timestamp: 30:00)

• Detective Jim Parks: "The manner of death was homicide. The cause of death was homicide by unknown means." (Timestamp: 31:36)

• Rob (Cocaine Rob): "If you're not the person that killed her, which I think you are, I'll just be straight up with you." (Timestamp: 23:16)

• Detective Jim Parks: "We should have sent a patrol officer on that first 911 call. There should have been somebody there within a few minutes." (Timestamp: 34:04)

• Roberta Osceola: "He will seek justice for me and Owachigi and whoever did this to her. He's going to answer to the Lord." (Timestamp: 35:05)

Additional Resources:

• Website: thedeckpodcast.com
• Contact Norman Police Department: 405-366-52208

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the key elements of the podcast episode. For comprehensive details and firsthand accounts, listening to the full episode is recommended.