Introduction
Dustin Barham, a 24-year-old from Owasso, Oklahoma, was murdered on the night of June 24th, 2021. The events leading up to his death were part of a complex investigation that unfolded over weeks, revealing a sad story of betrayal, manipulation, and a tragic loss for his family and friends.
Dustin was a kind and trusting young man, who worked as a tire technician and was a devout member of his church. He had no known enemies, no drug problems, and no relationship issues. His murder would become the subject of an intense investigation that would ultimately uncover a set of individuals who took advantage of his trusting nature, leading to his untimely death.
The Crime Scene and Initial Investigation
The shooting occurred in an apartment complex in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Detectives arrived at the scene, where they found a significant amount of blood and three gunshot casings. The victim, Dustin Barham, had been shot three times—once in each leg and once in his right elbow. He attempted to flee the scene, leaving a blood trail leading towards his vehicle. However, he ultimately crashed his truck into another car before succumbing to his injuries at the hospital.
Initial investigations revealed that Dustin had made an $80 withdrawal shortly before his death, leading detectives to believe he had been lured into the apartment complex under false pretenses. Surveillance footage was absent, and no one in the complex had seen anything, making the case more difficult to crack. Detectives turned to Dustin’s phone records for leads.
The MeetMe App and a Mysterious Woman
Dustin’s phone records revealed that he had received a message from a woman named “Clovyy” on a dating app called MeetMe, which appeared to be a Tinder-like platform. The message urged Dustin to meet her at the complex. However, this clue did not lead to a straightforward lead. The phone records indicated that Dustin had communicated with Clovyy prior to his death, but no direct evidence tied her to the scene. The app’s general marketing email to Dustin led detectives nowhere, and the case seemed to stall.
Detectives then turned their attention to Dustin’s social media interactions, suspecting that he had been tricked into going to the apartment for a robbery. It became clear that someone had taken advantage of his trusting nature, potentially using the MeetMe app to lure him into a dangerous situation.
Interviews with Family and Friends
Dustin’s family and coworkers were interviewed to gather more information. His mother described him as a kind-hearted, trusting young man with no significant problems in his life. He had a clean record and was heavily involved in his church, where he even mentored younger children. His coworkers confirmed that Dustin was not the type of person to associate with people involved in illegal activities or dangerous situations. They had no explanation for why he was in the apartment complex late at night.
During interviews with Dustin’s coworkers, one individual mentioned that Dustin had occasionally spoken about meeting girls online, though it was unclear how serious these relationships were. This new lead caused detectives to focus more on the possibility that Dustin had been set up by someone he met online.
Identifying the Suspects
A significant breakthrough came when a tip from Crime Stoppers led to the identification of two individuals involved in the robbery that led to Dustin’s death. The two women, Kelsey Lipp and Aleczandria Reinhardt (known as Allie), were cousins who had used the MeetMe app to lure Dustin into the dangerous situation. Kelsey, a 23-year-old woman with a history of robbery, and Allie, her 27-year-old cousin, had concocted the plan to use Dustin for a robbery. Dustin, a vulnerable and trusting young man, had fallen victim to their manipulative scheme.
Through further investigation, it was revealed that the robbery had been planned by Kelsey, with Allie and her boyfriend Dalone Gay, who was involved in the execution of the crime. Kelsey had created a MeetMe account to lure Dustin to the apartment complex, where he was confronted by Allie. The situation escalated, and after a brief struggle, Allie shot Dustin. Kelsey and Allie then fled the scene, leaving Dustin to die in the parking lot. Allie later admitted to shooting Dustin, though she claimed she did so in self-defense during the robbery.
The Arrest and Confession
After several weeks of investigating, detectives were able to piece together the events of that fateful night. Kelsey and Allie’s confessions were pivotal in securing evidence against them, with Allie admitting that she had shot Dustin after he tried to kiss her and then snatched his money. Kelsey also admitted her involvement in luring Dustin to the apartment under false pretenses. They had planned to rob him, but things went horribly wrong, resulting in Dustin’s death.
The investigation revealed that Allie had been involved in similar crimes before and had a history of manipulation. Kelsey, on the other hand, had used her relationship with Allie to orchestrate the robbery. Detectives were able to identify Dalone Gay, Allie’s boyfriend, as a possible accomplice, and phone records confirmed his presence at the crime scene during the time of the murder.
The Aftermath and Justice
Months after Dustin’s death, the case finally came to a close. Kelsey, Allie, and Dalone were arrested and charged with murder. The investigation had uncovered the full extent of their involvement in the robbery and murder, and justice was served for Dustin Barham. His family, devastated by the loss of their son, could finally begin to heal after a long and painful ordeal.
Dustin’s death left a void in the lives of those who knew him. He was remembered as a young man full of promise, someone who was always ready to help others and who trusted people without hesitation. His tragic story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online interactions and the vulnerability of trusting individuals who may be preyed upon by those with ill intentions.
Conclusion
The murder of Dustin Barham was a senseless crime that could have been prevented had the perpetrators not taken advantage of his kind and trusting nature. The case was a long and difficult investigation, but through persistence and hard work, justice was finally served. Dustin’s death left a deep impact on his family, friends, and community, and his story serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of online interactions and the dangers of trusting people without knowing their true intentions.