OKTAHA, Okla. — Big developments out of Muskogee County in the search for a woman who has been missing for nearly nine years.
We have told you about the family's efforts to find Peggy McGuire who has been missing since 2015.
FOX23 received a tip about the case from someone who believes they know where McGuire is buried.
“All I want is closure,” said Betty Davis, McGuire's mother.
On Friday, investigators went to a pond in the backyard of a home in Oktaha to try and find McGuire.
The sounds of the pump, had the family hoping again.
“My stomach went churning. I had a little hope,” Betty said.
Betty and Don Davis drove down from McIntosh County to see the dig in person themselves.
They've been looking for their daughter for nearly nine years, knowing what they are looking for are her remains.
“They say she ran off. She didn’t run off. She would not leave her little boy or family. It’s an awful feeling," Betty said.
A tip given to FOX23's Shae Rozzi is the biggest break in the case in years. It’s why defense attorney Steve Money and Muskogee County District Attorney Investigator Bert Poole are standing with the family, watching.
“I want to thank FOX23 and Muskogee County and the District Attorney for everything you all are doing. We really appreciate it,” Betty said.
The tip was that McGuire was here, wrapped in chicken wire and weighed down by cinderblocks.
In February, divers searched the pond leading to a pump being brought down on Friday to lower the water levels so investigators could dig further.
“I got involved when Shae Rozzi got some information and she called me to see if I knew anything about this old case which I didn’t, but I knew a guy who knew a guy, and that’s how Bert Poole got involved,” Money said.
Poole said the goal on Friday was simple.
“The person who has been talking to us has also told us there were cinderblocks down there and all the things he is telling us are adding up. I told my boss we need to look and satisfy ourselves one way or another,” Poole said.
On Friday, as the water drained, investigators had to stop because the runoff was overflowing a nearby creek.
After the crews stopped pumping, they dug in the area they thought Peggy may be, but didn't find anything.
The Davis family said they feel like there is a slim chance McGuire is in this pond, but they do know that someone, somewhere knows something.
“We know there are a few people who know where she is at and I hope it eats up their heart,” said Davis. “Hopefully one day there will be closure."
Investigators told FOX23, weather permitting, the plan is to be back on-site next week to continue draining and digging at the pond.
The Davis family said they are offering a $150,000 reward for anyone who gives information that leads to McGuire's body being found.
