Cal Sport Media via AP ImagesCountry singer Craig Strickland went missing on Dec. 28 after his boat capsized during a duck hunting trip with a friend in Kaw Lake, Okla.
The search for the Backroad Anthem singer began after his friend, Chase Morland's body was found that morning. It came to an end exactly seven days later on Monday morning when Oklahoma Highway Patrol confirmed to E! News his body was found. He was declared dead at age 29.
On Tuesday, new details emerged regarding his death. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Marine Enforcement Division released a statement to us revealing Strickland's body was found around 11:35 a.m. by an OHP Trooper. The Trooper discovered the body in a thick tree and brush area less than 100 feet off the shoreline and about a quarter mile away from where Morland's body was discovered last week.
Strickland was wearing all camouflage gear, which made his body difficult to find. However, the debris from his boat—including hunting equipment, an ice chest and decoys—created a "debris field" and helped lead to the discovery of both his and Morland's bodies.
The official time and cause of death is still to be determined by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office. However, they can confirm there were no indications of drug or alcohol use, or any suspicion of foul play.
Meanwhile, Strickland's wife tweeted on Monday after officials announced they had found his body: "#CraigStrickland was found today. He is safe with his Father in Heaven," she wrote. "Thank you Lord for leading us to him today. I will praise you, Amen."
She also took to Instagram to share a sweet video of her late husband telling her how much he loved her. She captioned the video, "On the day of our wedding Craig had me watch a video he had made to tell me how much he loved me. I am so thankful for technology in this moment because I will always have this. I watched this privately prior to walking down the aisle, and so now I want to share this small excerpt with all of you."
Backroad Anthem also shared a thoughtful Facebook message in his honor. "Today we lost our brother, our best friend, our bandmate. Craig was the most amazing person whose passion for life couldn't be matched. Thankful to know he fought his way from the water to a hill and was lying in the shape of a cross on his back looking up to his Heavenly Father."
They added, "Today he is smiling down on us and we know he will always be with us. He will always be here to help guide us along the way. We love you Craig Strickland and we will forever miss you!"
Our thoughts go out to the Strickland and Morland families and friends during this time.