NORMAN, Okla. – A man has been charged with murder and unlawful removal of a dead body after being accused of killing a woman and leaving her body at Lake Thunderbird in February.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation began investigating the homicide on Feb. 13 after bicyclists discovered the woman’s body inside a tote at the lake. The victim was later identified as Charissia Dawn Bell by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
On Feb. 21, the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Austin Godwin, turned himself in to the Norman Police Department and admitted to the murder of Bell during an interview, court documents say.
He claimed that he saw Bell walking down the street on Feb. 12, and she got into his car after a conversation.
After going back to his apartment and Bell taking a shower, he allegedly attempted to have sex with her. When Bell refused, he became enraged and strangled her with a rope, according to court documents.
“Godwin strangled Bell for about four minutes until Bell was unconscious, and then for about another minute until Bell was dead,” the affidavit says. “Bell’s last words were about her children.”
Godwin then put Bell’s body in a small black tote but it was too heavy for him to carry, so he went to Walmart and purchased a clear tote with wheels to move the body. He wrapped the victim in blankets and placed her in the clear tote before taking it to a secluded area in Lake Thunderbird.
“Godwin transported Bell’s body to [Lake Thunderbird] and placed the tote containing Bell’s body near some bushes,” the affidavit says. “Godwin wanted Bell to have a view of the lake and then left the scene.”
It was unclear if Godwin had any prior relationship with the victim.
Godwin is currently being held at the Cleveland County Detention Center and has been charged with first-degree murder and the unlawful removal of a dead body.
