Country Music Star Craig Strickland's Autopsy Shows He Died of Hypothermia in Winter Storm Goliath
Country music star Craig Strickland died of hypothermia when he went missing last December during a hunting trip, an autopsy report has confirmed.
Strickland, who was a member of the band Backroad Anthem, was declared missing shortly after Christmas last year when he and his friend, Chase Morland, embarked on a duck hunting trip in Oklahoma's Kay County.
The pair had begun their trip as winter storm Goliath hit Oklahoma and other southern states. The duo's capsized boat and Morland's body were found a few days after they were reported missing, and Strickland's body was found in early January. His death was ruled an accident.
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The country music star's wife, Helen Strickland, kept fans updated through her social media account as authorities searched for her husband's body, repeatedly calling on God's help to guide her through the difficult time.
In late December, Helen shared Psalm 56:8 on her Twitter account, which reads: "'You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.'"
After her husband's body was discovered on Jan. 4, Helen wrote: "#CraigStrickland was found today. He is safe with his Father in Heaven. Thank you Lord for leading us to him today. I will praise you, Amen."
The singer's band also posted about Craig on their Facebook earlier this year, describing the musician as being "on fire for God, his wife, his family, his life, and this band."
Last week, Helen shared an image on Instagram of Craig's headstone, which is carved in the shape of Arkansas and includes a quote from Craig that reads: "I've come to realize that relationships are the only things we can take with us to Heaven."
The photo shows the former Miss Arkansas USA winner sitting next to the headstone as sunlight filters in from the background.
In a caption accompanying the photo, Helen shared lyrics from the band Sanctus Real and their song "Lay It Down."
The song calls on listeners to lay down their problems and worries at the cross: "Those problems you're worried about, they can't keep you from living right now. When you shake 'em off and lay 'em down, down, down at the cross where your freedom's found. Oh you can stand up no matter what, march on when times are tough, be strong and don't give up. All you need now is to shake 'em off and lay 'em down at the cross where your freedom's found."
Helen concluded her caption with the hashtag "#LoveandStrengthinChrist."
The Miss Arkansas USA winner shared another photo of her husband's headstone last week, writing that "even in the hardest of times we have so much to be thankful for!"
"Today we set Craig's headstone and our family could not be more happy with how it turned out!! It's everything I'd hoped it would be," she added.
