Craig Strickland's father, Randy, wrote that the family is "hoping against the odds" after the country singer and his friend Chase Morland — who was found dead on Monday, December 28 — went missing this weekend during a duck-hunting trip.
The band's official Twitter account, which has been updating fans with the latest from Strickland's family, shared the most recent Facebook post from Craig's father late Monday night after the news about Morland's death.
"The search has been called off for the night, bringing boat with sonar in morning," Randy wrote on Facebook from Newkirk, Oklahoma. "A friend gave me these words! 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!"
Backroad Anthem tweeted support for the Strickland family as Craig remains missing. "Update from @strickark we love you Randy, Helen, Joanne, and family!" the country band tweeted late Monday. "We are believing in a miracle!"
Craig, 29, and Morland went missing after setting off on a hunting excursion on December 27, in Kay County, Oklahoma, a region north of Tulsa. When they didn't return, a search was launched that day for the men. According to local outlet News 9, a boat used by the two was found capsized the following day.
On Monday, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol confirmed to Us Weekly that Morland's body had been recovered, but Strickland remains missing.
"Everyone please say special prayers for the family of Chase Morland," Backroad Anthem wrote on its Facebook page after the news was revealed. "They were very close friends and it is such a heartbreaking loss. Randy Strickland (Craig's father) has informed us Craig has not been found. Please keep praying for his safety."
Strickland has been a member of Backroad Anthem since October 2012. The group is made up of six country musicians based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. On the band's website, Craig shared the group's vision for music. "We’ll be able to build a fan base that will fall in love with our music," he shared at the time. "The stars are aligning for this band."
