Country Musician Craig Strickland Still Missing after Hunting Calamity; Wife Asks Fans to "Please Keep Praying"

Julie Brown Patton : Dec 30, 2015
Gospel Herald

Craig's father, Randy Strickland, wrote that they are "trying to think of a scenario where he is still alive. Hoping against the odds. We can't even stand to think about it. We are devastated. Only God and time can put us back together."

Helen Strickland is pleading for fans to "please keep praying" for the safe return of her husband, country singer Craig Strickland, who went missing on a duck hunting trip this weekend in Oklahoma. Strickland, 29, is lead singer of the country group Backroad Anthem. The body of Craig's friend, Chase Morland, 22, was found Monday in Kaw Lake, some 90 miles north of Tulsa. (Photo via Facebook)

Authorities determined their boat capsized, according to NBC affiliate KFOR. The boat also was found. Police said nothing about a cause of death. They added that there were "no personal flotation devices in use," reports CNN.

Helen tweeted Monday that Craig's dog, Sam, was found alive.

Sam, Craig Strickland's dog, stayed by the deceased body of Strickland's close friend, Chase Morland, until authorities found them in Oklahoma. (Photo via Gospel Herald/Twitter)

Before the two hunters embarked, Morland sent an ominous tweet that mentioned the damaging winter storm tearing through Oklahoma, dubbed "Goliath" in the press, reports Today. Backroad Anthem members asked for special prayers for Morland, also. He was a resident of Van Buren, Arkansas.

Craig's father, Randy Strickland, wrote that they are "trying to think of a scenario where he is still alive. Hoping against the odds. We can't even stand to think about it. We are devastated. Only God and time can put us back together."

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