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Family, wife ask for prayers after Craig Strickland's boat capsizes

Craig Strickland of the country band Backroad Anthem is missing after he went hunting in Oklahoma during a storm
Country singer missing after Oklahoma storm 00:43

UPDATE: Craig Strickland's bandmate, Toby Freeman, told People that Strickland's dog has been found safe and sound.

"Craig's dog being found alive is a very good sign," said Freeman. "That's a piece of hope that we're actually clinging on to."


Family members and the wife of Craig Strickland have asked fans to pray that the country singer returns home safely.

Strickland went missing after he and his friend Chase Morland went duck hunting during winter storm Goliath in Oklahoma. The two reportedly took a boat out to Kay County, Oklahoma, to go hunting. The boat was found capsized, and police later located Morland's body.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. Paul Timmons told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette efforts to find Strickland were suspended early Tuesday evening.

Timmons said the search is set to resume Wednesday, depending on weather conditions. He said earlier in the day that the remote location and recent heavy rains have complicated the search effort.

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Country singer Craig Strickland went missing during winter storm Goliath. His wife, Helen, asked for prayers that he return home safely. Craig Strickland/Twitter

Morland, 22, posted an ominous tweet before he and Strickland went out on their trip. He wrote, "In case we don't come back, @BackroadCRAIG and I are going right through Winter Storm Goliath to kill ducks in Oklahoma. #IntoTheStorm."

The family of Strickland, who is 29, is still hanging onto hope that the lead singer of Backroad Anthem is alive. His wife, Helen Strickland, tweeted to fans, asking for prayers. She also shared that the search will continue with a sonar boat.

On Monday night, she wrote, "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."

Craig's father, Randy, also requested prayers on the Facebook page for Backroad Anthem and said his family is "hoping against the odds."

"We are trying to think of a scenario where he is still alive," he said. "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!"

Strickland's family held a prayer meeting at Cross Church Springdale in Springdale, Arkansas, on Monday night.

The search has been called off for the night, bringing boat with sonar in morning. A friend gave me these words! We are...

Posted by Backroad Anthem on Monday, December 28, 2015
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