Family And Friends Remember Tulsa Woman Killed

Family and friends are remembering a Tulsa woman with a roadside memorial where her car was found with her dead inside it on Highway 412.

Cassidy Ritchie’s loved ones held a balloon release, put a cross into the ground, and decorated it with flowers.

Family and friends say they want to make sure everyone who drives by thinks about Ritchie and her story.

Dozens of Ritchie’s loved ones walked to the site near Catoosa, where her car was found with her inside a week ago.

Her son, Joey David, says the past week has been tough on him and his family.

“No one can really put into words how it is to lose a loved one, especially their mom," said David. "I’ve been keeping strong, keeping strong for my family. I know she would be proud of me, taking care of my grandma and the rest of my siblings and the rest of my family, kind of be the spokesperson for everyone else.”

It means a lot to Joey to see so many people who wanted to pay their respects to Ritchie.

“It was a really good moment for us, a really good moment for the family, to show us that people really do care for us," said David. "Even people we haven’t met yet that were her friends. I met a guy out there that was her high school friend. They haven’t even talked in however many years and I never even met him. But it was really good being able to see that people were there for her.”

Now, the family hopes people who see the cross will be reminded of Ritchie's story and the life she lived.

“We don’t want a year to go by and everybody say, ‘Oh, that’s just another woman that got killed’ or something like that," said David. "We want her and everyone to know that we care for her, we’re going to keep caring for her, and we’re going to keep fighting for her until she gets the justice she deserves.

Their work is now focused on making sure people who might have been victims of domestic violence know there are resources and a way out.

“Reach out to people," said David. "At times, you might think you’re trapped, or you can’t escape, but there are people, there are resources, even if it’s just your friend or family or even a stranger. Someone out there will listen to you and hear what you have to say, and they will be willing to help you.”

Cassidy’s celebration of life will be at the Rose Bowl Event Center at 3 p.m. Sunday.

It is open to the public.