GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 49-year-old man reported missing by his family Thursday afternoon was found dead in the woods Friday, the Gainesville Police Department said.
Relatives told police that David Allen drove his truck to a friend's house in Blues Creek and planned to take a walk in the woods behind the home. Allen's wife expected him home by noon and when he did not arrive by 1 p.m., she called the friend to find out where he was.
Recommended Videos
The friend said Allen's truck was still parked in the driveway but he had not returned.
Police were notified about 5 p.m. Thursday and K-9 and helicopter units were dispatched, along with uniformed patrol officers, to search the wooded area until dark.
A ping of Allen's phone showed it to be west of the friend's home and that it was last on at 2 p.m. in the wooded area close to the UF fishery.
K-9 and uniform officers searched that area with no luck, GPD spokesman Ben Tobias said.
The investigation and search continued Friday and Allen was found about 1/3 of a mile south of where he entered the woods, police said.
He was dressed in proper gear and attire for a long hike, and his path appears to have traversed a lot of different swampy areas, police said.
It appeared Allen may have reached a point of exhaustion where he fell crossing a creek and died, Tobias said.
There is no obvious evidence of foul play, police said.