Missing Man Search Shifts to Pond

The Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office is still searching for the body of a Webbers Falls man missing since June 21.

Sheriff Ron Lockhart said Thursday that a one-acre pond near Lake Tenkiller was being drained Thursday and Friday after cadaver dogs hit on the area. They are searching for the body of Matthew Scott Fagan.

Fagan was last seen at about 3:30 p.m. on June 21 at the Buzzard Roost Hiking Trail. Those he was with told investigators Fagan complained that his ankle hurt and he went back to the group’s vehicle. But when the others returned, Fagan could not be found.

But investigators, suspicious, continued their investigation into Fagan’s disappearance, and their reports filed with arrest affidavit and murder charges, revealed that at least two of three suspects blame the other for killing Fagan.

Charged with first-degree murder are Michael Anthony Snelling, 22, and Charles Blake Shamblin, 25, both of Webbers Falls. Tyler Paul Leverett, 22, of Webbers falls, was charged with second-degree murder on Wednesday. All three remain in the Sequoyah County Detention Center, Lockhart said.

Authorities have searched Lake Tenkiller and the area surrounding the lake without success. The suspects said Fagan’ body was dumped in the lake, but efforts to find Fagan’s body in the water have also been unsuccessful.

According to family members, a GoFundMe account has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/2fkh0xg to aid Fagan's family with current expenses as well as burial expenses when Fagan's body is recovered.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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