UPDATE: Search for missing Williamsburg man ends tragically

William "Dan" Oakes Sr.

UPDATE: According to the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, the search for William Oakes ended Thursday after he was found deceased. According to Sheriff Colan Harrell he was found between I-75 and the Clear Fork River. An autopsy to determine the cause of death is scheduled to be performed today. Foul play is not suspected.

Local authorities are searching for a Williamsburg man who has been missing since Jan. 2.

According to Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell, William “Dan” Oakes Sr. was last seen by his daughter, Crystal Thomas, at about 4:15 p.m. Jan. 2 at his residence at 8051 Hwy. 25 South in Williamsburg. Thomas reported her father missing to the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department at about noon Wednesday.

Oakes is 62-years-old, white, approximately 5-11, 181 lbs. with blue eyes, brown hair and some scarring on his face.

The Whitley County Sheriff’s Department conducted a ground search for Oaks Wednesday. They were assisted by Williamsburg Fire and Rescue, South Whitley Fire Department, Emergency Management Director Danny Moses and the Pleasant View Fire and Rescue.

Anyone with information regarding Oaks is encouraged to call Whitley Dispatch at 606-549-6017 or the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office 606-549-6006.