A Texas man charged with murder and kidnapping in connection with the death of 33-year-old Kayla Kelley is alleged to have killed the woman after she found out he was married.
When reached for comment by Complex on Wednesday, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office pointed to a press release issued on Jan. 19 in which it was confirmed that a body found “buried in a Grand Prairie field” had been identified by the local medical examiner as Kelley.
“While we desperately hoped for a different outcome, I’m grateful for the dogged determination of my deputies and our Texas Rangers in locating Ms. Kelley,” Sheriff Jim Skinner said at the time. “As this is an ongoing homicide investigation, details outside what may be contained within an investigator’s search or arrest affidavit will not yet be released.”
Per a recent report from regional outlet WFAA citing an affidavit, the suspect—identified as Ocastor Ferguson—had been using a fake name, Kevin, throughout the relationship with Kelley. According to investigators, Kelley had found out about Ferguson’s real name and his marriage to another woman not long before she went missing.
Days before announcing her death, Collin County officials had sought the public’s assistance in locating Kelley, who they said had not been seen “for several days” at the time. She was formally reported missing on Jan. 11, followed by the discovery of her vehicle—reported to have been “burned beyond recognition”—in a remote location.
Around that time, Ferguson was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and held on bond in the amount of $1,000,000. Online booking records at the time of this writing listed charges against Ferguson including second-degree arson (a felony), third-degree kidnapping (also a felony), and first-degree murder (another felony).
Complex has also reached out to the Collin County District Attorney’s Office for comment. This story may be updated.
