Skeletal remains found Saturday have been positively identified by the Oklahoma state medical examiner’s office as those of Tommy Raymond Eastep.
Eastep was last seen at the Best Western Hotel in Eufaula, Okla., over three years ago and his truck was found in the area where the remains were discovered.
During a telephone interview with a television station on Monday, Clint Eastep, broter of the deceased, said a group of turkey hunters discovered skeletal remains in a field located about 100 yards where Tommy Eastep’s locked truck had been found nearly three and a half years before.
This, despite an exhaustive search done by the family, the Hughes County Sheriff’s office and the OSBI. Even cadaver dogs had been used in the early searches, but nothing was detected until this weekend.
The family said Tommy Eastep was last seen over the 4th of July weekend in 2013. They had all come out to Lake Eufaula to celebrate the holiday and had all stayed at a Best Western nearby.
Two months later, hunters found Tommy Eastep’s pickup 50 miles from the hotel, parked in a wooded area. His keys, wallet and cash were all inside, but Tommy Eastep and his phone were gone.
Tommy Eastep’s body is being examined at the Oklahoma medical examiner’s Tulsa office. His cause and manner of death are still pending.
Eastep’s family posted the following statement on his Facebook page over the weekend:
“We want to thank all of you who have shared his story, searched, supported and fervently prayed for us through this difficult time. Our hearts are heavy with grief and we are weary. Please continue to pray for us as we begin to heal. We ask that you please respect our privacy during the coming weeks and months. Details regarding a memorial service will be posted at a later date. Thank you.” — Clint and Nikki Eastep.
