Person was found next to his truck down a path which leads into a wooded area beside Bear Swamp church off Highway 48 near Sledge Road.

“We've been searching every day to find him,” Tripp said at the church as detectives processed the scene this afternoon. “As part of the diligent search, Major Aycock found Mr. Person down a farm path that leads to the woods near Bear Swamp church.”

Tripp said the family, who searched for their loved one and held a prayer vigil last week, have been notified.

The county medical examiner's office will be notified, Tripp said.

Questions on how long Person may have been at the location where Aycock found him are part of the ongoing investigation.

The location of where he was discovered is a mile or less from his residence on Bowers Road.

Tripp said Aycock had been looking for Person every day. “He always focused around the house. We've been searching daily and used a Highway Patrol helicopter twice, a private plane and Civil Air Patrol. We've been diligent every day and focused on searching creek beds and bridges.”

Tripp said it appears Person's truck may have become stuck and he attempted to turn around.