OSBI Agents Make 2nd Arrest In Connection To 21-Year-Old Stillwater Man's Death

A second arrest was made this week by Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations agents, in an alleged plot to kill a Stillwater man for his truck.

Investigators found 21-year-old Sam Crawford’s body on a rural property in Payne County in September 2023.

More details unfolded in the murder of Crawford after investigators interviewed 52-year-old Michael Ritter four separate times. Ritter has been charged with first-degree murder along with co-conspirator Christopher Somers.

The OSBI got involved after Crawford went missing last August. Agents searched a rural property in Payne County and announced in September 2023 that pieces of the victim's truck were found along with a body.

“When they noticed parts of his vehicle, they executed a search warrant and when they were searching that area they found a deceased male,” said Hunter McKee, OSBI.

The victim’s remains were discovered in a hole. The medical examiner determined Crawford was shot twice in the head.

Agents said Ritter and Somers operated a chop shop on the land and profited from selling stolen vehicle parts. Ritter also paid Somers for various other jobs. At the time only Somers was named as a suspect.

“We are looking into not only the motive but the relationship between Somers and the victim,” said McKee.

Investigators learned the victim met up with Somers to fix his truck the day he disappeared. Court papers showed Somers claimed Ritter told him to take the truck apart. Ritter told investigators Somers "spilled his guts" about what he did to the victim. Ritter claimed he did not take part in the murder or get rid of evidence related to the murder. However, investigators said Ritter paid a neighbor to dig a large hole the day after Crawford was murdered.

Ritter was also accused of insurance fraud. Court papers showed Ritter filed an insurance claim for a stolen truck. Investigators said parts of the truck were later found on Ritter’s property.

Both men are also charged with desecration of a human corpse and operating a chop shop.