Joe Neff, Bar Owner Missing in OK Since May 13, 2009 … Found Blood and Signs of a Struggle in Bar (UPDATE: Found Deceased)
62 year old Joe Neff has not been seen since Wednesday, May 13, 2009 when his girlfriend came to the Long Branch Saloon, 68155 U.S. 59, near Poteau, OK and found signs of a violent crime. Blood and signs of a struggle were discovered at his business. Also, police found that thousands of dollars in cash had been taken from a safe in his home. Neff was last seen at about 9 a.m. Thursday in a local store.
Neff was last seen at about 9 a.m. Thursday in a local store. Prior to that, a female friend of his reported seeing Neff at around 7 a.m., said LeFlore County Sheriff Bruce Curnutt.
Investigators interviewed people who have been banned from the bar, but nothing came up during the interviews that led police to believe someone had held a grudge. Neff has not had to ban anyone from the bar recently, Curnutt said.
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations spent much of Friday at Neff’s home, on Country Club Road, just outside of Poteau city limits. Authorities conducted a ground search for Neff Friday: however, but planned to expand the search today and Sunday to include bodies of water.
Authorities are investigating a possible homicide as their were signs of violence but no body.
Friends and family of Joe Neff conduct their own search for their missing loved one.
Neff was discovered missing Thursday after an employee at his business found blood and signs of a struggle.
Police have been searching the ground, and they hope to begin searching bodies of water this weekend.
His friends are now just waiting to hear what has become of Joe Neff.
“He loved everyone. He never met a stranger he couldn’t take in as family. He had a real big heart and a lot of love in that heart,” said Harmon.
A $10,000 reward has been setup for any information that may lead to Neff’s whereabouts.
If anyone has any information regarding this case, please call the Le Flore County Sheriff’s Department at (918) 647-2317, or the OSBI Tip Line at 1-800-522-8017
UPDATE I: The Body of Joe Neff Recovered, Found Deceased
Sadly, but not unexpectedly, the body of 62 year old Joe Neff was discovered by two fishermen Sunday evening. The body was recovered from a strip pit west of Pocola at approximately 8 p.m. May 17, 2009.
The investigation continues as to who was responsible for themurder of Joe Neff.
Following days of searching for Joe Neff, the 62-year-old’s body was found by fishermen in a strip pit off Davis Road in Pocola on Sunday.
Other Stories Of Interest“As far as suspects, we have a lot of people we are questioning but we cannot get into (whether) there are injuries (on the body),” LeFlore County Sheriff Bruce Curnutt said.
