Rescuers searched Wednesday for Craig Strickland, but despite their efforts to find the missing 29-year-old country singer along a 38-mile long lake in northern Oklahoma, they came up empty handed.
Stickland went missing Sunday while duck hunting with a friend in severe weather. On Monday, troopers recovered the body of his hunting companion, Chase Morland, from the lake. They have since been searching for Strickland.
Late Wednesday evening, Strickland’s wife updated fans on the search efforts via Twitter.
She also shared photos of a Bible belonging to her husband, in which he had highlighted passages and made notes.
“These bible verses, which spoke to Craig, reminds us of God's intentions for our lives. No matter the outcome of this circumstance, the truth of God's word can comfort and give strength to each of us. He loves you and I, and desires good for our lives. Therefore, every difficult situation CAN be used for good… Thank you Craig Michael for sharing with us the wisdom that the Lord shared with you. And thank you Lord for giving us the opportunity to share Your truth through Craig's legacy."
This week, authorities combed the massive Kaw Lake, which nearly stretches into Kansas, in attempts to find Strickland of Springdale, Arkansas.
Strickland is the lead singer of the Arkansas-based country-rock band Backroad Anthem. The band shared a Facebook post on Wednesday, stating they were still praying for Strickland’s safe return.
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The band also posted a Twitter message Tuesday from Strickland's father, Randy, who reported that the family was at the Kay County Sheriff's Office, where the power was out and running on a generator.
Randy Strickland did not immediately return a message at his Oklahoma address seeking comment but said in the online post that Craig Strickland's dog, Sam, had been found alive.
The expansive terrain, coupled with the severe storms that pounded the area over the weekend, hampered rescue efforts, said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. Paul Timmons. The severe rains and flooding are blamed for at least five deaths in Oklahoma and more than 100 injuries, according to state health officials. On Monday, Gov. Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency after blizzard conditions affected parts of the state and heavy rains fell.
Kay County Sheriff Everette VanHoesen said the enormity and unpredictable nature of the lake catches many inexperienced boaters by surprise.
"It's a big lake, and when we have high winds, the lake will get whitecapped; the waves get pretty big," VanHoesen said Tuesday. "I understand these men were avid hunters. They knew what they were doing, but sometimes the size of our lake really tricks them."
A message posted to Morland's Twitter account before the pair set out read: "In case we don't come back, @BackroadCRAIG and I are going right through Winter Storm Goliath to kill ducks in Oklahoma. #IntoTheStorm."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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