Country Singer Craig Strickland Missing, Friend Found Dead After Trip

Published on December 29, 2015.

Source: Twitter

Things are looking bad for 29-year-old country singer Craig Strickland who is considered missing while authorities search for him. Strickland along with his friend Chase Marland were on a duck hunting trip earlier this week; however, it turned tragic when Marland was found dead.

“At approximately 11:10 hours Trooper Humdy and Trooper Vann recovered one subject; Chase R. Marland 22 year old male from Van Burn, AR., from Kaw Lake a spokesperson from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety announced. “At this time search efforts are still underway in attempt to locate Craig M. Strickland, 29 year old male from Springdale, AR., the second subject that is missing from the vessel. There was no personal flotation devices in use. The boat has been found but not recovered at this time. At this time the search efforts are going to be suspended for the day due to weather and fading lights. Search efforts will resume in the morning,” authorities continued.

Only two days prior to the men’s boat being found along with Marland’s body, Marland posted an ominous tweet about the dangers of their trip, writing, “In case we don’t come back, @BackroadCRAIG and I are going right through Winter Storm Goliath to kill ducks in Oklahoma. #IntoTheStorm.” Strickland’s band, Backroad Anthem, have been posting updates on their Facebook page along with messages from family, writing, “Everyone please say special prayers for the family of Chase Morland. They were very close friends and it is such a heartbreaking loss. Randy Stickland (Craig’s father) has informed us Craig has not been found. Please keep praying for his safety.”

With search teams heading out again Tuesday morning, they are confirming it is still a rescue effort, not a recovery effort at this time.