Warren James Tunley, known to friends and family as "WT," was a hardworking man with a kind and gentle spirit. Born on November 25, 1980, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the 45-year-old male later made his home in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He worked in construction and was remembered for his belief in an honest day's work and his approach to taking life one day at a time.
Warren found joy in simple pleasures, like a trip to the casino or, more often, sitting on his front porch with a fresh cup of coffee, appreciating the quiet moments. His greatest accomplishments, however, were his children and grandson. His family was the most important part of his life, and he was a loving father, grandfather, son, and brother.
On the night of Thursday, October 8, 2026, Warren’s life was cut short. Just before 11 p.m., officers with the Okmulgee Police Department were called to a property near the intersection of North Alabama Avenue and West Sixth Street. There, they discovered Warren Tunley deceased. He had sustained an apparent gunshot wound. The circumstances leading up to the discovery were not immediately made public.
Due to the nature of the crime, the Okmulgee Police Department requested the assistance of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). Special agents from the OSBI responded to the scene that night to take the lead on the homicide investigation. They spent hours processing the area and collecting evidence, working to piece together the events that led to Warren's death. The neighborhood where he was found is a residential area in Okmulgee, a city with a population of about 11,000 people, located about 40 miles south of Tulsa.
The investigation into Warren Tunley’s murder is ongoing. As of October 2026, authorities had not identified a suspect or a motive in the shooting. Investigators have not released additional details about what may have occurred at the property or whether they have any persons of interest. The OSBI has publicly asked for help from the community, urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Warren was preceded in death by his father, Roderick E. Harp Sr., and his grandparents. He left behind to cherish his memory his mother, Ginger Tunley; his daughters, Mahalia Howell and Kyndall Tunley; his grandson, Kash Roy; his brothers, Roderick, Marco, and Rodney; and his sister, Tamra, along with other family members and friends who will forever hold him in their hearts. His loved ones remember him for his gentle nature and the quiet moments shared. An obituary noted, "His kind and gentle nature, his familiar place on the front porch with a cup of coffee, and the memories made with his loved ones will forever be a part of his story."
Funeral services to celebrate Warren's life were held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the House of Winn Funeral Home in Okmulgee, following a visitation the day before. His family remembered him as a man whose life was measured by the love he gave, the work he did, and the memories he created.
The case remains an active and unsolved homicide investigation. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation continues to ask for the public’s assistance. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the OSBI tip line at 1-800-522-8017 or by email at [email protected].
