An Oklahoma high school basketball star was found dead in her room, and her ex-boyfriend, someone who she feared, has been charged with rape after he allegedly filmed himself sexually assaulting her while she was unconscious.
That murdered and assaulted young woman is Madeline Bills. She was a senior at Moore High School in Moore, Oklahoma. She was just weeks away from graduating when, local news outlet KOCO reported, she was found dead in her room on April 2022. Her room was in a pool house separated from the main house, again according to KOCO.
She had recently told her friends that she was going to move back into the main house, however, because she was scared of Chase Cook, her African-American, 19-year-old ex-boyfriend. Moore police Lt. Wes Yost, speaking on that, said, “She was scared of him, and she told some friends she thought about moving back into the residence because of that, but no signs that were given to police at all to let us know to be aware of him.”
Lt. Yost also said, “In these times, it’s always sad when you have a crime like this one that has occurred and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and her friends, and we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to find justice for Madeline.”
KOCO, reporting on what evidence the police currently have that Chace Cook is responsible for Madeline’s murder, said:
According to the affidavit, video evidence showed Cook jumping the fence multiple times to the pool house where Bills was.
[…]Police said Cook’s car, clothes and DNA samples were all taken as evidence, along with his cell phone. The affidavit said Cook’s phone had multiple videos of himself with Bills on the night of her suspicious death.
One of the videos showed Cook filming himself sexually assaulting Bills while she was unconscious. Moore police said Cook was arrested in Chicago at a basic training camp for the Navy and will be extradited back to Oklahoma in the coming days.
Cook has been charged with first-degree rape. Moore police said more charges are possible pending the results of the medical examiner’s report.
Madeline’s obituary noted her powerful personality, caring attitude, and skills as a basketball player, saying:
Madeline “MaddieB” Marie Bills, 18, was born on September 16, 2004, to Robert “Bobby” and Stephanie (Harjo) Bills in Oklahoma City, OK. She died Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Moore, OK.
In her short time given here on earth, Madeline made an incredible impact on many lives. She had a personality that would light up any room. Early on, she learned the value of giving back. She found great joy in giving and making friends special, homemade gifts. She strove to see the good in people. Madeline would adopt all animals in the shelter if it were an option. She was an advocate for others, especially those that had their own challenges in life. Madeline had an uncanny ability to bring truth to light, which was astonishing for a person of her age.
Madeline worked hard in developing her skills as a basketball player. In May, she would have graduated from Moore High School with honors achieving a 4.0 GPA. She is a member of the Osage Tribe and recently signed a letter of intent to play women’s basketball at Northeastern A&M in Miami, OK in the fall under Coach Jim Rowland.
Madeline loved spending time with family and friends. She adored her cat, Zeus, and loved the family’s two German Shepherds, Prince and Echo. Madeline was a devoted sneakerhead and loved reading books.
Madeline is survived by her parents, Bobby and Stephanie, as well as her older brothers, Phoenix and Christian Bills of Moore, OK; grandparents, Bill and Marti Bills, of Pawhuska, OK; uncle, Ronnie and wife, Tracy along with their children, Raychael and Veronica Harjo of Oklahoma City, OK; uncle, Joey and wife, Megan along with their children, Kylea, Audie, and Hazen Bills of Pawhuska, OK; uncle KC; aunt, Brittany; cousins Rickielynn, Cameron, KC Jr., Sean, Wyatt, Mitch, Bryson, Hank, and Silas Bills of Pawhuska, OK; numerous other friends and family members.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Papa Joe Harjo and Lenora Snell; great-grandparents, Albert and Minnie Harjo.
Madeline Bills featured image credit: Stephanie Bills Facebook; Chace Cook featured image credit: Lake County Illinois Sheriff
"*" indicates required fields