What Happened To Laura and Ashley

On December 29, 1999, there was a birthday party. Ashley Freeman was turning 16. This was a huge deal for Ashley, her parents and Ashley's best friend, Lauria Bible. The party was festive and by all accounts, everyone had a good time.

At the end of the party, Lauria requested and got permission from her father to spend the night at Ashley's house. Lauria's father, Jay remembered the conversation. "They were just two girls who wanted to be together to celebrate. But I told Lauria to be home the next day by noon. When that didn't happen, I knew something was wrong."

Something was indeed very wrong. That night, at some point, the Freeman's house became an inferno. By the time Lauria's parents got to the Freeman's, it was reduced to a pile of ashes. Lauria's car was still there, but according to the coroner, there was only body found.The body found was Ashley's mother, Kathy. She was badly burned, but the coroner was able to determine the manner of death, and it wasn't from the fire. She had been shot once in the head at close range with a shotgun. And there was more troubling news, the house had been set on fire.
The Bibles were absolutely dumbfounded. Along with the investigators, they had more questions than answers. Where were Lauria and Ashley, who killed Kathy, and who would set the house on fire and why. The Bibles were convinced there were answers in the smoldering ruins. Returning to the scene the next morning, they picked through the ashes and made a shocking discovery. It was Danny Freeman, the father of Ashley. He too had been shot at close range, and his body badly burned. They found one more shocking clue. Lauria's purse was found in tack. All of her cash and even her driver's license was still inside. This greatly concerned the Bibles. "We knew something was wrong.  Why would Lauria leave without her purse and cash?" her mother asked. With very few clues, police began to suspect that the girls were abducted.

Then Danny's brother Dwayne Vancil offered up a conversation he had with his brother. "He got right in my face, and shook his finger to make his point. He said if anything happens to me, look at the sheriff's department." For months, it was rumored the sheriff's department had been feuding with the Freeman's over the death of Danny's son, Shane. Shane had stolen a truck and a neighbor's gun and was shot and killed by a deputy. Although the shooting was ruled justified, Danny had threatened to file a Wrongful Death Suit against the sheriff's office. Dwayne believes that Danny had been the victim of police intimidation. "Although he wouldn't say why felt that way, Danny always said the sheriff's office had the attitude that said we can do what we want to you and your family."

When the bodies of Danny and Kathy were found, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation took over the investigation. The first thing they did was to polygraph the Bibles. Special Agent Steve Nutter said "The polygraphs were conclusive. They are being truthful about all of the events that have occurred."

There are two other  scenarios.. There are rumors that Danny is a small time drug dealer and that he and  his wife were killed and girls abducted for a drug debt. Agent Nutter discounts that theory. "When these people kill, it is highly unlikely they would abduct children."

The other theory is more sinister. Is it possible that Ashley herself killed her parents and abducted Lauria to keep her quiet? Again, Agent Nutter disagrees. "From what I know of these girls, they just don't seem the type to kill. And to be able to hide out by themselves with no help doesn't seem likely."

The Bibles are left with more questions than answers. Who murdered Danny and Kathy? Who burned the house to the ground? Did Ashley kill her parents and disappear with Lauria? Is the sheriff's office some how involved? And finally could this crime be the result of Danny's drug dealings?

One thing everyone seems to agree upon. They believe that Lauria was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Lorne Bible "I want to believe that they are alive, but I don't know. Whether they are dead or alive, I want to know."

Jay Bible. "I wish we could have both girls back. We would raise them and never let them go."

To this day, investigators are still unable to determine who killed Danny and Kathy Freeman, and no clues into the disappearance of Lauria Bible or Ashley Freeman.

If you have any information, please contact the Vinita Oklahoma Police Department, or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.