Searchers Looking For Missing Eufaula Family Face Big Challenges

By Dan Bewley, The News On 6

WILBURTON, OK -- More than a hundred searchers fanned out in Latimer County Friday, looking for a family who hasn't been seen in two weeks. But bad weather and a jagged countryside are making the search very difficult.

Authorities were hoping today's expanded search would turn up at least a few leads, but the weather is really hampering what they can do on the mountainside.

SkyNews 6 gives a bird's eye view of what search and rescue teams are facing as they track across Latimer County's Panola Mountain.

They're looking for Bobby Jamison, his wife Sherilynn, and their 6-year-old daughter Madyson. The Eufaula family was last seen October 9th, their abandoned truck was found October 17th.          

Investigators found the family's dog inside the truck as well as a number of personal items including their coats leading authorities to fear for their safety.

Two weeks after the last known contact volunteers are searching on horseback, all -terrain vehicles, and by foot.

"The tracking aspect of it is pretty much out the window," said search organizer Danny Heilman. "What you'll wind up doing is grid searches or stuff like this, looking for clues."

The search is covering about two to three square. Searchers are facing a big challenge with the dense trees and the rugged terrain. Throw in the mud, and the sheriff says even the search crews are having a hard time getting into the wilderness to do their job.

"We've already had to have people towed out," said Latimer County Sheriff Israel Beauchamp. "We've had people slide off the side. The conditions on the road are getting worse, and they're just going to get worse as more people come up here"

With rocky ridgelines and a vast amount of uncharted land, the sheriff says this is a dangerous part of the county, and he's worried since the family has been gone for so long.

 The sheriff was asked if the farther the search gets from the area where the family was last seen, the worst the news could get.

"It would be safe to assume that, yes," Sheriff Beauchamp said.

The sheriff says they most likely will not be able to search tomorrow because of the muddy, wet conditions after this week's rain. At this time, he can't say when they could be able to search again.

Latimer County Sheriff Israel Beauchamp talked with News On 6 reporter Latoya Silmon early Friday morning about today's search plan for the Jamison family. 

10/20/2009 Related story: Authorities Still Looking For Missing Eufaula Family

At daybreak, around 100 searchers headed out looking for the family.   

10/21/2009 Related story: Major Search Effort Planned Friday For Missing Eufaula Family

The McIntosh County Sheriff's Office has also checked the family's home north of Eufaula and found nothing.