Lawton, OK – A Cleveland County judge sentenced Chase Ainsworth to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday, following his admission to the first-degree murder of his ex-wife, Samantha Ainsworth, in July 2023. The sentence comes after a harrowing series of events that have drawn attention to the persistent issue of domestic violence in Oklahoma.
Samantha Ainsworth, 33, was found dead at her Oklahoma City home on July 29, 2023. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered her body and immediately began searching for her 5-year-old son, who was reported missing. The child was later found safe, but the tragedy has left a community in mourning and advocates for domestic violence victims calling for greater protections and support systems.
Chase Ainsworth, 37, admitted in court to killing his ex-wife in a violent confrontation. He was also sentenced to an additional 10 years for kidnapping their son and one year for interfering with an emergency call. The brutal nature of the crime and Ainsworth’s history of abuse left many in the courtroom horrified, with one judge describing the sentence as “fitting for the horror he’s caused.”
“This is not just a crisis. This is a pandemic of domestic violence,” said Brandon Pasley, a representative of the YWCA of Oklahoma City. Pasley, who works closely with domestic violence victims, pointed to the rising rates of abuse and the tragic number of women killed by men in the state, emphasizing the ongoing need for reform and intervention.
Court documents revealed a troubling history of violence and harassment in the couple’s relationship. Months before her death, Samantha Ainsworth had filed for a Victim Protective Order (VPO) against her ex-husband. The VPO was a response to a series of alarming incidents, including attempted break-ins and threatening messages sent by Ainsworth. Despite these warnings, however, the system failed to prevent the eventual escalation of violence that led to her death.
“50% of the time protective orders increase safety. The other 50% of the time, protective orders increase risk,” Pasley noted, highlighting the complexity of the issue. While protective orders are meant to shield victims from their abusers, studies have shown that they may not always provide the safety intended, and in some cases, they can provoke further violence.
In the months leading up to her murder, Samantha had become increasingly fearful of her ex-husband, who was known to have violated the terms of the VPO on multiple occasions. Despite this, the state of Oklahoma has consistently ranked among the highest in the nation for women killed by men, with statistics showing the state has been in the top 15 for 25 years.
Domestic violence advocates argue that more must be done to protect victims and prevent further tragedies. Oklahoma’s troubling history with domestic violence calls for stronger laws, more effective enforcement of protective orders, and improved resources for those fleeing abusive situations.
“We are seeing too many women and children suffer the consequences of a system that doesn’t fully protect them,” said Pasley. “We need to take a long, hard look at how we can change the narrative and ensure that people like Samantha are no longer left vulnerable.”
The Ainsworth case serves as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of domestic abuse and the urgent need for societal and legislative change. As the state continues to grapple with its high rates of domestic violence-related deaths, advocates hope that this tragedy will spur greater awareness and action toward protecting the most vulnerable.
For now, the sentence handed down to Chase Ainsworth serves as a small measure of justice, but the pain felt by Samantha’s family and the community will last far longer.
