Today marks 21 years since Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman went missing

by Saundra Adams, KTUL staff

Thu, December 31st 2020, 5:01 AM UTC

Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, marks 20 years since the disappearance of teenagers Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible from Welch, Oklahoma. The search for their bodies continues. Ashley's parents, Danny and Kathy Freeman, were found dead in the debris of their burned home Dec. 30, 1999. (Credit: Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and Craig County District Attorney’s Office)

Ronnie Busick arrives at the Craig County Jail April 25, 2018. He's accused of killing Danny and Kathy Freeman at their home near Welch in 1999, then kidnapping and killing Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible. (KTUL)

Investigators dig Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, looking for the remains missing Welch, Okla., girls Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman. (KTUL photo)

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Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, marks 20 years since the disappearance of teenagers Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible from Welch, Oklahoma. The search for their bodies continues. Ashley's parents, Danny and Kathy Freeman, were found dead in the debris of their burned home Dec. 30, 1999. (Credit: Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and Craig County District Attorney’s Office)

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Today marks 21 years since Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman went missing.

Lauria was spending the night at the Freeman's house for Ashley's 16th birthday. Ashley's parents, Danny and Kathy Freeman were found murdered in the rubble of their home, which had been set on fire. There was no trace of the girls.

RELATED | Search for Welch girls based on killer's recollection turns up empty

After more than 18 years, three suspects were identified in the case.

David Pennington, Phil Welch, and Ronnie Busick. Both Pennington and Welch had died. However, in April 2018, an arrest warrant was issued for Busick who was incarcerated in Newton, Kansas. In July 2020, Busick agreed to plead guilty to one count of Accessory to Murder. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and five years suspended with time served for cooperating with investigators.

A tip from Ronnie Busick led them to the area but turned out to be nothing.

RELATED | Mother of one of missing Welch girls speaks after investigation leads to another dead end

The OSBI continues to look for the girls and will not give up until they are found. There are people out there with the information that can help locate the girls and we urge you to come forward. You can contact the OSBI at (800) 522-8017 and you can remain anonymous.

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