POTEAU, Okla.—
Authorities in Oklahoma are looking into a possible homicide at the Long Branch Saloon outside of Poteau.Sheriff Bruce Curnutt told 5NEWS they were called to the bar after an employee arrived at the Long Branch Saloon just before noon Thursday, and found a disturbing scene.
"There are definitely signs of a struggle and injury inside, we do believe the bar owner, Joe Neff, may be injured," said Curnutt.
But authorities aren't sure, because Neff was not at the bar, and as of late Thursday night he still hadn't been located.
For now, the Sheriff's Office and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation are treating the matter as a possible homicide, and asking anyone with information about Joe Neff or what happened at the saloon to call them. In the meantime, no arrests have been made, but deputies say they are checking several people's stories.
"We've already questioned several persons of interest, and we have several more to contact and question," said Curnutt.
Meanwhile, Neff's family and friends are fearing the worst. Cecil Raye says he helped Neff do work on his property, and that he never missed a night when Joes was in the kitchen.
"We're here to eat every Sunday, because every Sunday Joe was cooking in the kitchen," he said.
People with information about this case are asked to call the Le Flore County Sheriff's Department at (918) 647-2317, or the OSBI Tip Line at 1-800-522-8017.
