Murder Of Arkansas Realtor Has Oklahoma Realtors Aware Of Surroundings

The murder of an Arkansas realtor is a little too close for comfort for Green Country realtors. One woman said the death of Beverly Carter makes her more aware of her surroundings.

Most realtors will tell you when they're showing a home they've got their phone in hand constantly. Some even go as far as having 911 dialed in and ready to call.

Aaron Lewis is charged with murdering Arkansas realtor, Beverley Carter. While he denies killing the blonde beauty, he told reporters she was targeted because she was a woman who worked alone and that “she was a rich broker.”

With Carter's death, the risks that come with showing houses are becoming more real for realtors like Catherine Santee-Hughes.

“I think it just reinforces, I think it just brings it back that things like this can happen,” she said.

Santee-Hughes has been a Tulsa McGraw realtor for close to a decade, and in those years she's seen a bit of everything, including the uncomfortable moments.

“I actually have had a couple open houses where it just didn't feel right,” she said.

Santee-Hughes knows how to use a gun, but doesn't carry one, though she said many other women in the business are armed.

“You have to be very confident if you're gonna carry a gun because you gotta be willing to use it,” she said.

For now, Santee-Hughes said she's mainly just arming herself with awareness.

“I like to kind of plan it out before I go somewhere or before I'm leaving somewhere,” she said. “Yes, we have pepper spray. Yes, I carry my keys in a certain way if it's dark or I'm walking.”

At the end of the day, despite the many dangers that come selling houses, Santee-Hughes still has a job to do.

“There's gonna be good and bad in every situation. I don't think you can walk around scared, I think you just have to be vigilant,” she said.

She said the buddy system is the best idea and occasionally takes her sons with her to showings.

Many realtors go through special training to help ensure their safety while on the job.