The Tragic Murder of Gerthie Carolina and the Decades-Long Pursuit of Justice

A Brutal Crime That Shocked a Small Town

In the quiet rural town of Sasakwa, Oklahoma, the year 1997 was marred by a heinous act that left the community reeling. Gerthie Carolina, an 81-year-old widow, was found brutally murdered in her home, her lifeless body discovered on the kitchen floor. The crime was as shocking as it was tragic, given her advanced age and the vicious nature of the attack. Carolina had been beaten, stabbed, and left to die, a stark contrast to the peaceful life she had led in her small town. The investigation that followed would go cold for nearly three decades, leaving her family and friends with unanswered questions and a lingering sense of injustice.

Four months prior to her murder, Carolina had finalized her will, naming her niece, Carolyn Foreman, as the beneficiary of a $40,000 certificate of deposit held in a living trust. This detail would later become a crucial piece of the puzzle, revealing a motive that was as sinister as it was devastating. The case would test the patience and dedication of law enforcement, who refused to let the passage of time erase the memory of Gerthie Carolina and the justice she deserved.

The Case Reopened: A Breakthrough After 28 Years

In 2023, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) reopened the case, breathing new life into a mystery that had gone unsolved for nearly three decades. The breakthrough came when investigators discovered a piece of evidence that had been collected at the crime scene 28 years earlier—a shoe belonging to Dakota Davis, who was then a 17-year-old grandniece of Gerthie Carolina. The shoe, which had been stored as evidence, was found to have traces of Carolina’s blood on it. This discovery reignited the investigation and led authorities to two suspects: Dakota Davis, now 45, and Carolyn Foreman, now 81 and suffering from dementia.

The arrests of Davis and Foreman sent shockwaves through the small community, as both women had been known to Carolina and had even claimed to have discovered her body on the day of the murder. The pair had maintained their innocence for years, but the new evidence told a different story—one of greed, impatience, and betrayal. Their arrests marked the beginning of a new chapter in this tragic case, one that would finally bring the truth to light.

The Suspects: A Tale of Greed and Deception

At the heart of this case are two women who were once close to Gerthie Carolina but were driven by a desire for financial gain. Carolyn Foreman, who had been named the beneficiary of Carolina’s trust, stood to gain $40,000 from her aunt’s death. However, authorities allege that Foreman and her accomplice, Dakota Davis, were unwilling to wait for Carolina to pass away naturally. Instead, they conspired to take her life, cashing out the trust just days after her murder.

Foreman, now 81 and battling dementia, has a history of legal troubles. In 1999, she was charged with the murder of a 16-year-old, although the charge was later dismissed. Her son was later convicted of that crime and is currently serving a life sentence. Foreman’s past raises questions about her character and her potential involvement in not just one, but two tragic deaths.

Dakota Davis, who was just 17 at the time of the murder, has reportedly made admissions of guilt over the years. According to court documents, Davis told her father in 2001 that she had “chopped up” her great aunt with either an ax or a machete, while Foreman allegedly encouraged her to “hit her again, hit her again.” These chilling admissions, combined with the physical evidence found on Davis’s shoe, paint a disturbing picture of the events that unfolded on that fateful night.

The Motive: A Deadly Inheritance Dispute

The motive behind Gerthie Carolina’s murder is as clear as it is tragic: greed. Carolyn Foreman, who had been named the beneficiary of Carolina’s $40,000 certificate of deposit, was reportedly growing impatient to receive the money. Carolina, who had no children of her own, had placed her trust in Foreman, believing that she would handle the estate responsibly after her death. However, authorities allege that Foreman and Davis were unwilling to wait, choosing instead to take matters into their own hands.

The autopsy revealed that Carolina died from multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma, indicating a violent and deliberate act. The fact that Foreman and Davis cashed out the trust just days after the murder further supports the theory that financial gain was their primary motive. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of greed and the devastating consequences of allowing it to consume us.

JusticeDelayed but Not Denied: The Arrests and Charges

In a dramatic turn of events, Dakota Davis and Carolyn Foreman were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Davis, now living in Sacramento, California, was taken into custody, while Foreman was arrested in Midwest City, Oklahoma. Their arrests mark a significant milestone in a case that had gone cold for nearly three decades, offering a measure of closure for Gerthie Carolina’s family and the community of Sasakwa.

The charges against Foreman and Davis are serious, and both women face the possibility of life in prison if convicted. Foreman’s advancing age and struggles with dementia have raised questions about her mental state at the time of the murder and her current ability to stand trial. Meanwhile, Davis’s admissions of guilt and the physical evidence found on her shoe make her a key focus of the prosecution’s case.

The Legacy of Gerthie Carolina: Seeking Closure and Healing

The arrest of Dakota Davis and Carolyn Foreman brings a measure of justice to the family of Gerthie Carolina, who have waited nearly 30 years for answers. While nothing can undo the pain of losing a loved one, the resolution of this case offers some comfort and a sense of closure. The dedication of the investigators who worked tirelessly to solve this case is a testament to the enduring commitment to justice, no matter how much time has passed.

Gerthie Carolina’s story is a reminder of the importance of perseverance in the face of unsolved crimes. It also highlights the impact that one person’s life can have on those around them, even in the face of tragedy. As the legal process unfolds, the community of Sasakwa and beyond will continue to remember Gerthie Carolina, not for the manner of her death, but for the life she lived and the legacy she left behind.

In the words of Seminole County District Attorney Erik Johnson, “This case is a testament to the relentless dedication of these investigators and our unwavering pursuit of justice, even decades after a crime is committed. We hope this brings some measure of peace to Gerthie Carolina’s family after all these years.” As the years have shown, justice may be delayed, but with determination and dedication, it is never forgotten.