New Details Reveal Moments Before Homicide Of Woman Found At Lake Thunderbird

A Cleveland County District Attorney has revealed new details about the homicide of a woman who was found at Lake Thunderbird.

Monday, March 6th 2023, 5:37 pm

By: Anjelicia Bruton

NORMAN, Okla. -

Austin Godwin is charged with the murder of Charissia Bell.

Godwin is facing two felony offenses, first-degree murder and unlawful removal of a dead body

News 9 looked into his record and there was no criminal history, only a traffic offense from more than five years ago.

“Sometimes you'll some low level crimes that will work up into a homicide or at least some violence in the past before and not having that in this case is out of the ordinary,” Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn said.

Mashburn said there are many things off about what led Austin Godwin to allegedly kill Charissia Bell.

“In most homicides, the individuals know each other well. In this case, the allegations are that they were strangers,” Mashburn said.

Court documents said Godwin told officers at the Norman Police Department he was the one who killed Bell. He told officers he saw her walking near his apartment complex. He said she got in his car and the two went back to his place.

“They argued over whether or not they were going to have sex, and ultimately that led to her death,” Mashburn said.

The affidavit said the frustrated man strangled her. Her last words were about her children. Officers said Godwin told them afterwards he was scared and didn't know what to do.

“You also don't see very often the fact that the body gets moved in different locations. The suspect had kind of thought out plan how he was going to dispose the body. He purchased the things to go and hide the body in,” Mashburn said.

Court documents detailed how he wrapped her body in blankets and put her inside a clear tote. He left the bag at Lake Thunderbird in a secluded area.

“We've already begun reaching out to the victim's family. And we'll start that process of letting them know how the court process is going to work and talking to them about the different possible outcomes,” Mashburn said.

Godwin will appear in front of a judge on March 28.