In the quiet landscape of rural Oklahoma, a family's life was changed on June 17, 2022. On that Friday, 33-year-old Daniel Wayne Cully, a member of the Muscogee Nation, was last seen around noon. His sister had dropped him off near the south entrance of Lake Holdenville, a location off of State Highway 48, southeast of the town of Holdenville.
At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a light brown polo-style shirt with white stripes, blue jeans, and black, white, and gold Nike shoes. Daniel also had a change of clothes with him, which included a black and white Kenneth Cole shirt, black cargo shorts, and black shoes. His family reported him missing a few days later, after he uncharacteristically failed to make contact.
Daniel is described as a Native American male with black hair and brown eyes, standing between 5'9' and 5'10' tall, and weighing between 180 and 216 pounds. His identity is further marked by several distinct tattoos. These include the words 'Straight Native' on his chest, the initials 'L.T.' with a pipe and feathers on his left upper arm and shoulder, and a fire pit with three bear paw prints on his left arm. He also has a dreamcatcher with a feather on his lower left arm, the word 'warrior' with a feather on his right upper arm, and the phrase 'out of sight, out of mind' tattooed on the back of his calves. In the days leading up to his disappearance, his behavior was described by his wife and family as strange. He had told his family he was going to the lake to meet someone about a job, a detail that has been a focal point for his loved ones and investigators. His mother recalled a hug from him on the day he left that felt like a final goodbye.
The investigation into Daniel's disappearance has been led by the Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police Department. Despite their efforts, which included searches by foot and with four-wheelers around the lake area, no trace of him has been found. A 'Red Alert' was issued for his case in August 2022, signifying that he was considered to be in danger. His family and advocates have worked to keep his case in the public eye, hoping that someone with information will come forward. Complicating his family's search for answers is the belief that he was suffering from a foot injury at the time he went missing, making it unlikely he would have traveled far on his own. The case of Daniel Cully remains an active missing person investigation, a painful uncertainty for a family that continues to hold out hope for answers.Last Seen: Jun 17, 2022
