Strickland had gone duck hunting with his friend Chase Morland on Dec. 27 when a severe, spring-like weather system hit the Kaw Lake area in Oklahoma. A search party began looking for them that night, and Morland's body was found the following day. A capsized boat the two had used was also recovered.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Strickland's body was recovered Monday at Kaw Lake in the original search area, the Oklahoman reported.

AD

Arkansas-based Backroad Anthem spent the week posting appeals for help in finding Strickland and updating fans. The band's Monday tribute continued:

AD

We pray today for God to wrap his arms around Randy, Joanne, Helen, and the family, and to help us through this extremely difficult time. We want to thank every single friend, fan, and family member for your thoughts, prayers, and love. 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!

On Monday, Helen Strickland confirmed that her husband had been found, writing on social media that "we can finally rest knowing that he is at Home in Heaven with his Father."

#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. — Helen Strickland (@HelenWisner) January 4, 2016

"The night of the accident he had fought his way out of the water and up a hill before the stages of hypothermia set in," she wrote on Instagram. "He experienced no pain in his final moments and simply felt like he was falling asleep."

She continued: "They found him lying in the shape of a cross looking up to his Father. Thank you to every single person who prayed for him and our family during this time. There was not a more peaceful way for him to go into the arms of our Lord, and I know your prayers had a role in making that happen."

AD

Today we lost our brother, our best friend, our bandmate. Craig was the most amazing person whose passion for life… Posted by Backroad Anthem on Monday, January 4, 2016

On Saturday, the band recounted on Facebook its beginnings, writing that Strickland was instrumental in starting the band in 2012.