BARNSDALL, Oklahoma — The family of Wayne Hogue and authorities from the Medical Examiner’s Office have identified a body found in Bird Creek as likely belonging to 81-year-old Wayne Hogue, who went missing following a devastating tornado in Barnsdall.

All-Hands Effort to Find Hogue

Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden, along with assistance from Christian Aid Ministries Search & Rescue and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), coordinated an extensive search operation to locate Hogue. Virden highlighted the collaborative effort, stating, OHP, of course, they were a big help. We put drones up, we even had one of our local residents who has their own helicopter, you know, he came up and flew one of my investigators up through the path to see if they could spot anything that the drones hadn’t.

Discovery of the Body

On Saturday afternoon, search efforts yielded results as a body was discovered in Bird Creek. Virden expressed confidence that the body is likely that of Hogue, citing factors such as the physical description and location consistency.

Family’s Response

Shelby Jones, Hogue’s granddaughter, echoed Virden’s sentiments, expressing gratitude for the community’s support during the search efforts. Thank you so coming together and helping this town because they deserve it. They are one. They are all family and they all look at each other the same,” Jones stated. Despite the absence of official confirmation, Jones finds solace, saying, I’m just glad that he’s in Heaven. I know he’s in Heaven.”

Seeking Closure

Sheriff Virden emphasized the importance of providing answers to the family during such trying times. Well with anything there’s very little comfort you can bring to family members in a time like this. Really the only thing we can give them is answers and hopefully closure when we get the identification,” Virden remarked.

Pending Confirmation

While awaiting confirmation from the medical examiner’s office, authorities and the community continue to offer support to the family of Wayne Hogue as they navigate through this difficult period.

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