On Valentine's Day morning, February 14, 2022, the lives of two families were irrevocably altered by a discovery in Oklahoma City. Raymond Lindsey Paddyaker Sr., a 40-year-old male and citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, was found deceased in a vehicle alongside 30-year-old Kayla Julia Cherice Yates, who was also a citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.
The Oklahoma City Police Department is actively investigating their deaths, which have been ruled as homicides.
The day began like any other for Paddyaker's family until his mother received a distressing phone call informing her that her son, known affectionately as 'Koda' and 'Foolish,' had been shot. The family's worst fears were confirmed as breaking news reports detailed the discovery of two bodies in a car near N.W. 10th and Portland. According to a family member, Paddyaker was shot twice in the chest, while Yates sustained a single gunshot wound to the head. They were discovered at approximately 9:00 to 9:30 in the morning after a welfare check was requested.
Raymond Lindsey Paddyaker Sr. was born on October 1, 1981, and was a father to five children. He was known for his love of life, his ever-present smile, and his passion for sports, particularly as an avid fan of the Denver Broncos and the Oklahoma City Thunder. He had attended Carter Seminary and North High School in Denver, Colorado, and later earned his GED in 2004. He also pursued vocational training as a heavy equipment operator. Those who knew him described him as the life of the party, with a penchant for laughter and jokes.
As of now, the homicide investigation into the deaths of Raymond Paddyaker and Kayla Yates is ongoing. While rumors have circulated within the community, authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the case. The families continue to seek answers and justice for their loved ones.
