VINITA, OK – The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has officially identified the victim of a recent homicide in Vinita as 34-year-old Robert Sikes. The agency also confirmed that two local residents, Jacob A. Bailey, 38, and Renee Carpenter, 43, have been taken into custody in connection with his death. The case has left the small Craig County community unsettled as a complex and active murder investigation unfolds.

The Discovery on South Foreman Street

The investigation began on Monday, September 22, 2025, when officers with the Vinita Police Department discovered Sikes’ body along South Foreman Street. Recognizing the severity of the situation, local police immediately secured the area and requested assistance from the OSBI, the state’s lead agency for major crime investigations.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was also called to the scene. An official autopsy later determined that Robert Sikes sustained injuries consistent with a homicide, formally shifting the case from a death investigation to a murder inquiry.

Two Suspects in Custody

As the investigation progressed, authorities identified Jacob Bailey and Renee Carpenter as persons of interest. Both were located and taken into custody. According to the OSBI, Bailey and Carpenter are currently being held in the Craig County jail, each on a complaint of second-degree murder.

While they remain incarcerated, formal charges have not yet been filed. The OSBI will complete its investigation and turn over its findings to the Craig County District Attorney’s Office, which will then have the final say on what charges, if any, will be officially filed against the pair. A spokesperson for the DA’s office has not yet provided comment on the pending case.

Background of the Accused

Investigators have released some preliminary details about the suspects. OSBI records show that Jacob Bailey has a prior criminal history, which includes charges for domestic assault and battery and making threats to commit acts of violence. Detectives are likely examining this history to determine if it has any relevance to the current homicide investigation.

In contrast, the OSBI has stated that Renee Carpenter has no known criminal convictions. Authorities have not yet disclosed the nature of the relationship between Bailey, Carpenter, and the victim, Robert Sikes, nor have they released a potential motive or the specific circumstances leading to Sikes’ death.

A Community Awaiting Answers

The homicide and subsequent arrests have cast a dark shadow over Vinita. Law enforcement officials have been canvassing the South Foreman Street area, seeking to speak with any potential witnesses who may have seen or heard something on or before September 22.

The limited release of official information—a standard practice to protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation—has led to concern and speculation among residents. However, investigators have reassured the community of their commitment to uncovering the full truth behind the tragic death of Robert Sikes. The case has also sparked broader conversations about public safety in the area.

As the legal process moves forward, the community, along with the family and friends of Robert Sikes, is left waiting for justice. The OSBI has indicated that more updates will be provided once the District Attorney makes a formal charging decision.