Murder investigation continues in Sand Springs

The search for clues continues in a grisly murder near Sand Springs. It happened in Prattville, just outside of Sand Springs. <br/><br/>Authorities are searching Shell Creek Lake west of Sand Springs.

Thursday, November 4th 2004, 1:22 pm

By: News On 6

The search for clues continues in a grisly murder near Sand Springs. It happened in Prattville, just outside of Sand Springs.

Authorities are searching Shell Creek Lake west of Sand Springs. They're looking for 70-year-old Robert Bettis. His car was found on the dam. The door was wide open and his wallet and keys on the seat.

Sand Springs Police found his jacket in the water and fear he may be in the lake. A short time later, they found Bettis' wife Sylvia at their home. She'd been murdered.

Officers say there were no obvious signs of a struggle. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in February.

Bettis had been a pastor since 1961, retiring last spring. The security guard who found the car knew the couple, and was quite shaken by the situation. Johnny Sweet: "They came out and fished, they were real nice this fooled me real bad."

A family member says they don't believe pastor Bettis could've killed his wife then committed suicide. They want police to look at all angles.

Sand Springs Police say they are doing just that, and their first priority is to find him.