Sheila has worked for many years as a freelance print journalist for the Oklahoman and Tulsa World primarily covering crime in northeast Oklahoma.
When asked about the dark side of her stories she likes to respond, “I think when a murderer or pedophile goes to prison – that is good news and should be on the front page.”
For over two decades, Sheila has covered the disappearance of Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, two teenage Craig County girls missing since 1999. Her goal in those stories is to bring justice to the families.
Sheila’s coverage of the Welch girls earned her recognition from her peers, including an Associated Press first-place award in 2018 and Society of Professional Journalists second-place award in 2021. She has also served as a media consultant on the Welch girls’ disappearance on several television shows including “Vanished with Beth Holloway”, Lifetime, 2011; “Out of the Ashes”, Investigation Discovery, 2013 and Cold Case: Laura and Ashley, A&E Network, 2022.
Sheila was profiled in Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in the article, “Journalists barred from Oklahoma bridge cleanup site” in connection to the I-40 bridge collapse.
Her work was also featured on the Oxygen Network, “Killer Couples”, Raelynn Simonin, 2014.
Other awards include:
- Society of Professional Journalists, General News Reporting, “An Oklahoma love story: Afghanistan refugee reuniting with her Army veteran husband in Grand Lake”, third place, 2021.
- Lead Impacted Action Group, Tar Creek Coverage, 2019.
- Society of Professional Journalists, Investigative Reporting by Team, Delaware County Jail Sex Scandal, second place, 2011.
- Society of Professional Journalists, Investigative Reporting by Team: Who is watching the children, second place, 2008.
Sheila was born and raised in Grove and is a novice photographer and enjoys carrying her camera on road trips through Oklahoma’s back roads and boat rides on Grand Lake.
She is a long-time fan of OU and KC Chiefs football, some of her creative outlets are catering for friends’ parties and making homemade cheesecakes from scratch.
Sheila also serves on the Grove School District school board and is involved in many humanitarian mission trips with her church.
If you have a story idea contact Sheila at:
Email: sstogsdill@ksn16.tv or sheilastogsdill@sbcglobal.net
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Okreporter
Cell Phone: 918.791.1962
