Eastridge Investigations & Asset Protection

03/18/2026

In 2017 we were contacted by a U.S. Attorney from Washington DC whose brother had been murdered in OKC.

The victim owned a small used bookstore in an area with a large homeless population. He was known to be kind to the homeless.

OUR ASSIGNMENT:

The bookstore was the crime scene. The victim was attacked in the store. After the victim was murdered the suspect dumped books into the floor and attempted to set the store on fire.

We were requested to examine the messy scene for any evidence of value out of an abundance of caution. The victim’s family was told by OCPD homicide that scene was released.

FINDINGS:

Before the family attempted to clean up the scene, Forensic Expert Eric Richardson, and Forensic Death Investigator HL Christensen reprocessed the scene.

During the examination it was noticed that a cardboard box had been moved prior to the fire. Blood transfers on and under the box showed it had been move after the attack. (Photo attached).

Close examination of the box by Eric Richardson resulted in the discovery of latent print ridge detail in blood.

When the homicide detectives handing the case were notified, the discovery was initially dismissed.

At this point no suspect//s were identified. The box was properly stored in a climate controlled storage facility until some interest could be generated with the police.

EVIDENCE:

The homicide detectives on the case, both of whom I know well, finally agreed to take the evidence. We were met at the climate controlled storage by the detectives and the original crime scene investigator.

The crime scene investigator was very hostile. Presumably she took it as an insult that we had checked her work.

SUSPECT:

Homicide detectives were able to identify a homeless man as the suspect.

He was recorded making incriminating remarks and the case was filed. We later heard the hostile crime scene investigator was unable to recover the ridge detail from the box.

CONCLUSION:

My team & I are very experienced in identifying, documenting, and collecting evidence.

The goal of our client was to ensure they didn’t accidentally destroy evidence. Significant evidence was in fact recovered.

The existence of a potential identifiable print in blood left unresolved is not acceptable in murder case.

It was perfectly understandable to miss this evidence in an arson scene, however the reaction by law enforcement on the discovery of evidence jeopardizes the case.

Ego caused professional investigators to jeopardize the conviction of a murder suspect.

01/13/2026

Statement concerning: State of Oklahoma v. Mario Mota

Deceased: Laura Michelle Mota

In October of 2023, Eastridge Investigations was asked to consult on the death of Laura Mota. Ms. Mota was found deceased in the home owned by her husband, Mario Mota, in July of 2022. Mario Mota was charged with the murder of Laura Mota in 2023. We reviewed the medical examiner’s report, scene and autopsy photographs, copies of text messages, transcripts of the preliminary hearing, and related communications.

The deceased and her husband were in a failing marriage. According to reports generated by the lead investigator, Laura Mota was stationed at Fort Sill as a drill instructor. Laura and Mario Mota were separated, with Laura remaining in the home and Mario being stationed in El Paso, Texas. At some point, Laura became involved in an extramarital affair with another soldier.

After Laura’s body was found, an investigation began. Of note, the medical examiner was unable to determine the manner of death. The cause of death was ruled as unknown, and the manner of death was listed as undetermined. Photographs from the scene indicate Laura’s body was found on a staircase leading to an upstairs bedroom. Her head was below her body, bent downward and to the right (orientation based on a normal position). Her right hand was on a step above her head in a palm-outward position. This awkward position would have been uncomfortable to maintain if one were conscious. It is my belief that the body was found in the position in which it came to rest after descending the stairs. It also appears the closed doorway may have stopped her momentum, as the back of her head and body would have been against the door. One of the military personnel who discovered the body observed Laura’s hair fall when the door was opened.

Laura had numerous minor contusions, including a linear contusion on her forehead. This injury is referenced as having associated swelling, indicating to me that it was relatively recent. She had several minor bruises but nothing that would indicate a sustained physical confrontation.

Law enforcement appeared to focus on Mario as a suspect but failed to pursue other potential suspects. Additionally, it appears that individuals who may have had relevant information were not contacted or interviewed. Little investigative effort is documented beyond the soldier with whom Laura was involved as a potential suspect. I have not seen a report indicating whether he was asked if he was involved in any other relationships that might have led to additional suspects. He was married, but his wife was not interviewed. The soldier was told early on that he was not suspected of wrongdoing.

There are numerous text communications between Mario and Laura. Mario asked for reconciliation and later threatened self-harm when told no. There were no documented threats or evidence of intent to physically harm Laura—only threats of self-harm. Laura applied for a VPO, which was denied. In the VPO affidavit, Laura states that Mario was causing her emotional harm but does not allege any physical abuse.

The probable cause affidavit contains a lengthy bullet-pointed summary, none of which substantiates the death as a homicide. Some of the points are speculative, while others are factual but lack context.

Several members of the EI team have investigated and reviewed in-custody deaths caused by positional asphyxia. In all such cases, the decedent was first found to be in distress while in an unnatural position with the head tilted at a severe angle.

The opinion of the EI team was straightforward.

After review of the case file, it was the opinion of the EI team that, while homicide cannot be ruled out, the death was most likely the result of an accidental fall.

The investigation was insufficient to definitively determine the cause of death. There were no injuries inconsistent with a fall resulting in positional asphyxia. While the state’s theory of death changed over time, the body showed no injuries indicative of an assault to the exclusion of other explanations. There were no external injuries to indicate strangulation. The hyoid bone was undamaged. Laura’s fingernails were intact.

The crime scene was not properly documented. Beyond photographs, no measurements or other crime scene documentation were included in the case file.

No neighborhood canvass was conducted. No effort was made to determine whether any neighbors had doorbell or surveillance cameras.

Mario Mota voluntarily surrendered his phone. While call and text records were documented, no geolocation or cell tower data was retrieved.

No meaningful effort was made to identify other suspects. Although the soldier with whom Laura was involved was interviewed, he appeared wearing long-sleeve BDUs covering his arms. Investigators photographed Laura Mota’s mother’s arms, both top and bottom, but this was not done with Mario Mota or the other soldier.

A male DNA profile was found under Laura Mota’s fingernails. Mario Mota was excluded as the source of that DNA. There is no report indicating that any other individuals, including the soldier with whom Laura was intimately involved, were DNA tested.

A Stephens County Jury recently returned a not guilty verdict

Gary Eastridge

07/21/2024

07/20/2024

Concerning Death Review Cases.

Our Death Review Panel is made up of two retired homicide detectives, one retired crime scene investigator, and one previous Medico-legal death investigator. This team consist of 100 years of combined experience, and thousands of deaths.

Our office received a call this week asking for a second opinion of another PI firms “Death Review” of a family members case. The PI retained had zero death investigation experience. Sadly there are many P*s out there that lack the integrity to not take cases they are not qualified to take. It’s a terrible thing to do to grieving families.

If you are looking to have a loved ones death case reviewed we suggest the following:

Look for investigators that have experience investigating deaths.

That have experience testifying on death cases in criminal and civil court.

Look for a multidisciplinary firm that combines experienced investigators, criminalist, and experts.

Tonya.

05/13/2024

Stories of the OKC Bombing. Today on the E.I. Podcast.

05/13/2024

Podcast recording in progress.

02/29/2024

Announcement:

Effective immediately I’ll be temporarily stepping down as CEO due to unexpected health issues. H.L. Christensen will assume the role of acting CEO for the foreseeable future. I want to assure our many clients that you remain in goodhands with HL and the crew. Nothing changes on that end. I will maintain ownership, however for now I need to focus on my health.

Kyle Eastridge
Tonya Eastridge

02/06/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/GRNHDa96U8K11ckX/?mibextid=WC7FNe

01/26/2024

This year we celebrate our 15th year in business.

We’ve investigated infidelity cases, medical malpractice defense, internal business audits, protective surveillance, suspicious death reviews, and threat assessment investigations.

Our construction security branch has sites under surveillance across the state of Oklahoma. We’ve prevented the theft of millions of dollars in equipment and materials.

We want to thank our clients for putting their trust in us.

11/30/2023

11/30/2023

Selling both of these options
Hoodies are $35
Long-Sleeves shirts $30
Contact Kayla if interested
[email protected]