KEENE, NH – The search for a missing Spofford resident came to a tragic end Thursday afternoon.

Paul Stewart, 79, of Spofford was reported missing after he left his home on Old Swanzey Road shortly before 2:30 Wednesday afternoon to take his dogs for a walk and didn’t return.

Chesterfield Police Chief Duane Chickering alerted the public via a Facebook post that numerous first responders were out searching for Stewart. The search continued for nearly 24-hours as search and rescue teams zeroed in on Pisgah State Park, an area that was familiar to Stewart and he walked often.

In a news conference around 4:00 Thursday afternoon authorities announced that Stewarts body was found inside Pisgah State Park about a mile and a half from his home.

The nature of his death is unclear at this point, but police do not suspect foul play.

Earlier Thursday afternoon New Hampshire State Police had issued a Missing Vulnerable Adult alert, and said Stewart suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes and had not taken his medicine since he left his residence.

The two dogs, Bailee and Karlee, were found alive and safely returned to Stewart’s family.

Stewart was known in the community as the owner of Paul’s Choice, a butcher shop that used to be on Court Street in Keene, which he sold in 2012.