Vanished in the Current: The Ongoing Search for Justin Baker in the Arkansas River Tragedy

A Quiet Night Turns Tragic

In the early hours of January 24, 2025, a serene night in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, was disrupted by a harrowing incident. A Jeep carrying three individuals—Justin Dwayne Baker, 41, and two others—plunged into the Arkansas River near the Paw Paw Bottoms area. The driver and one passenger managed to escape and were treated for injuries, but Justin Baker vanished beneath the waters, sparking an extensive search and a community's desperate hope for answers.

A Veteran and Father Missing

Justin Baker, a U.S. Army combat veteran and enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, was known for his dedication to his family and community. His mother, Kelly Cox, described him as "the most selfless person you'd ever want to meet" and emphasized his role as a devoted father. The news of his disappearance sent shockwaves through Muldrow and the broader Indigenous community, highlighting the urgent need for answers.

The Search Efforts Intensify

Following the incident, multiple agencies, including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol's marine division, search and rescue dogs, the Fort Smith Fire Department, and the Arkoma Fire Department, joined forces to locate Justin. Despite recovering the vehicle from the river, there was no sign of Justin. The search extended to air, land, and water, with volunteers using ATVs and boats equipped with sonar technology to scour the area.

Community Support and Advocacy

The disappearance of Justin Baker galvanized community members and advocacy groups. The Northeast Oklahoma Indigenous Safety & Education organization issued a public call for renewed search efforts and media attention, emphasizing the broader crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People . Volunteers, some with personal experiences of loss, joined the search, driven by empathy and a shared determination to find Justin....Read More

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