Oklahoma high school basketball star Madeline Bills found dead, ex-boyfriend faces rape charge

The Bobster

Senior News Editor since 2004

Oklahoma high school basketball star Madeline Bills found dead, ex-boyfriend faces rape charge​



By
Yaron Steinbuch


May 5, 2023 8:59am
Updated





Madeline Bills
Madeline Bills, 18, a senior at Moore High School in Oklahoma, was found dead in her bedroom. Stephanie Bills/Facebook




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An Oklahoma high school basketball star was found dead at her home – and her ex-boyfriend has been charged with rape after he allegedly filmed himself assaulting her while she was unconscious.
Madeline Bills, a senior at Moore High School, was weeks away from graduation when her family discovered her dead on April 22, KOCO reported.
Her body was found inside her room, which was in a pool house separated from the main house, according to the outlet.
Bills had recently told friends that she had planned to move back into the main house because she was afraid of her ex-boyfriend, Chase Cook, police 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,” Moore police Lt. Wes Yost told KOCO.
Video evidence showed Cook jumping a fence to the pool house several times, Fox 23 reported, citing a police affidavit.
Cook allegedly used his phone to record himself sexually assaulting Bills while she lay unconscious, according to the outlet.

The late Madeline BillsBills was remembered by friends as “selfless” and an “incredible athlete.”Stephanie Bills/Facebook Madeline Bills in her basketball outfitBills had signed a letter of intent to play at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.Shillalie Jones/Facebook
Police collected his DNA at the scene and also took his car and clothes as evidence.

“Following different leads, we applied and executed a few different search warrants, trying to find more evidence of what occurred,” Yost told KOCO.

Police tracked Cook to Chicago, where they arrested him on Monday at a Navy boot camp and charged him with first-degree rape. He was expected to be extradited back to Oklahoma.

“The Moore Police Department anticipates additional charges for Mr. Cook upon completion of the Medical Examiner’s report,” the Moore Police Department told KFOR.

The cause of death is under investigation.

Ex-boyfriend Chase Cook Ex-boyfriend Chase Cook has been charged with first-degree rape after being arrested in Chicago.Lake County Illinois Sheriff
“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,” Yost said.

Bills, a standout on her high school basketball team, was set to graduate with a 4.0 GPA and had signed a letter of intent to play at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, according to her obituary.

“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,” the obit said.

“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,” it continued.

Madeline BillsBills was weeks away from graduation when her family discovered her dead in the pool house of her home.Stephanie Bills/Facebook Maddie Bills' team photoPolice said Bills was scared of her ex-boyfriend and considered moving into her home’s main building.Shillalie Jones/Facebook
Bills was described as “an advocate for others, especially those that had their own challenges in life.”

Her former basketball coach Stephanie Brady told KOCO that Bills’ “legacy has just begun, and it’s going to continue because we’re talking about her and the way that she lived.

“She didn’t live like other people. She lived differently, and she carried a light, and she made an impact on literally every single person that she came in contact with,” she said.

“Selfless and servant-hearted, Brady said she outworked everyone in the room to be a star student and athlete. She literally is every coach’s dream, every teacher’s dream. There’s no one like her,” Brady added.

Bills making love sign with hands“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,” her obit says/Carson Holland Mathews/Facebook
The Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College’s women’s basketball team also posted a message of remembrance for their future teammate.

“It is with a heavy heart that we inform you about the passing of our Future Lady Norse Player, Madeline Bills. We are deeply saddened by this loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, teammates, teachers, and friends during this difficult time,” the team said.

Friend Rachel Shadid wrote on Facebook that Bills “had the best heart, she was funny, she was an incredible athlete, a great daughter, sister and friend and it was a true blessing to watch her grow up.”

Another friend, Carson Holland Matthews, wrote that the young woman “made everyone she came into contact with feel loved, heard and supported. Madeline was wise beyond her years.”
 
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