A report of a missing person in Northampton County ended as a death investigation, the sheriff’s office reported Tuesday night.

Captain Patrick Jacobs said no foul play is suspected in the death of 86-year-old Earlie Garner, who was found deceased behind the Gaston Fire and Rescue substation on Highway 48.

Garner was reported missing by family shortly before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday from his residence off Hillcrest Lane in Pleasant Hill.

Garner was last seen around 5 p.m. on Monday by family members. 

Jacobs said numerous resources were immediately called and a search began to locate Garner. At approximately 12:15 p.m. Gaston Fire and Rescue members located an elderly deceased man behind the substation about a mile from Garner’s residence.

Investigators along with family members confirmed the identity of the man as Garner.

Jacobs said it appears Garner died from natural causes with no foul play being suspected. 

Sometime during the nighttime hours after 5 Garner walked from his residence to this location where he was found. 

Garner suffered from dementia and other medical conditions. 

“We are thankful that Mr. Garner was found, but we are saddened that he was found under these conditions,”  Sheriff Jack Smith said.

Smith said assisting agencies included Northampton County Emergency Management, North Carolina Emergency Management, North Carolina Department of Corrections K-9 Search, Gaston Police Department, Gaston Fire and Rescue, and Northampton County EMS.