1983 Rape Cold Case Heats Up Due To DNA Evidence

Adrianna Iwasinski, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The family of Ola Kirk has been fighting for justice, ever since a former OSBI investigator identified a suspect in her murder, thanks to a DNA match.

The District Attorney at the time failed to prosecute the case. But now a new DA has taken over, and finally filed First- Degree murder charges against a known felon.

The felon was scheduled to be released Wednesday.

Kirk's great granddaughter, granddaughter and daughter all have been fighting to have her cold case solved ever since she was found raped, and beaten to death in her Geary home in 1983.

DNA evidence matched Lester Blackbear to Kirk's case.

Blackbear is a lifetime registered sex offender and has been convicted of burglary, rape, and even escape from custody. But he was never charged with Kirk's murder.

The DA at the time felt the case was too weak, even with the DNA evidence.

But last year, U.S. Marshalls tracked down and arrested Blackbear in Pheonix, Arizona, after he failed to register as a sex offender when he moved.

Kirk's family has kept in constant contact with the new DA for the past nine months as he continued to build the murder case against Blackbear. They even joined him at the parole board meeting to make sure Blackbear's request for parole was denied.

"More than anything, we just want to keep him to where he can't hurt anyone else ever again," said Lauren Layman, Kirk's great granddaughter.

District Attorney Mike Fields said he does not know if he will seek the death penalty or life in prison against Lester Blackbear. But Kirk's family plans to be there for every court proceeding.