KINMUNDY, IL — A Monday afternoon search for a missing 79-year-old Kinmundy man ended when authorities found him dead in a creek a short distance from his home. The neighbors of Jim Jones first became concerned Sunday night when his brother was unable to reach him on the phone and a neighbor found Jones was not at home and his pickup truck was missing.

Local firefighters searched area roads Sunday night looking for Jones’ truck to no avail. Marion County Sheriff’s deputies went to his home Monday morning after reports indicated he had not returned. Jones’ neighbor later found his truck off a dirt road and a search of nearly 60 people, a K-9 unit, and drones as well as a private plane subsequently went out Monday morning. Jones’ body was found around 3:30 Monday afternoon less than a quarter-mile from his truck where he had apparently fallen into the creek and perished in the cold. Marion County Coroner pronounced him dead at the scene.

While it’s unclear when the incident occurred, the last time anyone can remember seeing Jones was last Thursday.