Crews Investigate Decade Old Missing Persons Case In E. OKC

Crime scene investigators digging for clues on Thursday were searching for evidence of what may have happened to a man missing for ten years.

The search was underway at 7200 S. Post Rd in Oklahoma City. Police used a backhoe to dig into a junk pile behind the home where a creek ran nearby. At one point, the digging stopped so investigators could take a closer look at a tarp that had been unearthed.

Neighbors said crews began showing up last week, but digging in earnest started Tuesday night. Members of Crime Scene Investigation units, OCPD officers, Medical Examiners and Public Works employees were also on scene. According to Amy Elliot, spokesperson for the medical examiner’s office, no evidence has been found.

"We want to find this person as bad as anybody else,” OCPD spokesperson Msgt. Gary Knight said. “If there's any chance of locating him, we want to find him."

They're searching for any clues pointing to what may have happened to now 55-year-old Stephen Hurder. According to police documents, Hurder's mother says her son left with a friend ten years ago, leaving his wallet, car and wife behind when he disappeared.

The property being searched is Hurder’s last known address. Neighbors say the house was mostly vacant, except for the occasional squatters. One neighbor said the home had also be foreclosed on.

Police said she tried to file a missing person report in 2006, but there wasn't any evidence of foul play, so police did not take the report. However, last month a report was filed. Police have not said what evidence led them to start the investigation now.

“In cases like this we certainly want to dot our i's and cross out t's to make sure everything is being done the right way," Knight said.

Hurder does have several charges on his record including drug possession and assault from 2006 after he allegedly tried to back his car into two park rangers. At the time of his disappearance. He was also wanted for "fleeing arrest." According to police records, Hurder told the rangers he was trying to flee because he had “a roach of marijuana” in the car. 

“Sometimes we will have somebody that's missing for a long period of time. Sometimes they end up as homicide victims, sometimes they end up just not wanting to be found" Knight said.