Country Singer Craig Strickland Missing During Oklahoma Hunting Trip

Family and friends of Craig Strickland issued a search party after the country singer went missing during a duck hunting trip in Oklahoma.

The 29-year-old member of country band Backroad Anthem was accompanied on the trip by close friend Chase Marland, who was found dead earlier Monday.

"At approximately 11:10 hours Trooper Humdy and Trooper Vann recovered one subject; Chase R. Marland 22 year old male from Van Buren, AR., from Kaw Lake," a spokesperson from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety told E! News in a statement.

Backroad Anthem posted an update Monday evening, saying the search was called off for the night.

"We 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 &time can put us back together. Love all!”

Authorities said they would pick up the search in the morning. A law enforcement source told E! News that the search for Strickland is still a rescue effort, not a recovery effort.

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On Sunday, a search was launched when a boat the two men were reportedly using for the hunting trip north of Tulsa, in Kay County, was found capsized in the early hours of Monday, according to Oklahoma's News9.

The news comes just two days after Marland sent a tweet, unknowingly foreshadowing their fate. 

"In case we don't come back, @BackroadCRAIG and I are going right through Winter Storm Goliath to kill ducks in Oklahoma. #IntoTheStorm."

"Everyone please say special prayers for the family of Chase Morland. They were very close friends and it is such a heartbreaking loss," the band posted on its Facebook page. "Randy Strickland (Strickland’s father) has informed us Craig has not been found. Please keep praying for his safety."

 
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Everyone please say special prayers for the family of Chase Morland. They were very close friends and it is such a...

Posted by Backroad Anthem on Monday, December 28, 2015

Strickland’s wife, Helen, also took to Twitter to update fans.

"Craig is still missing. The search has been called for the night. It will resume again in the morning with a sonar boat. Still need prayers."

Earlier today, she wrote: "Craig's dog Sam has been found. His boat has been confirmed as being capsized. They are still searching for Craig. Please keep praying."

--Reporting by Baker Machado and Holly Passalaqua

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