Body of Dale Hunter found in wooded area days after search efforts called off

The body of an elderly man with dementia was found in a wooded area near Paris Mountain State Park on Thursday.

The Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed that Dale Hunter, 76, was found dead in a wooded area near Altamont Road on Paris Mountain.

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A resident called the Greenville County Sheriff's Office after finding a deceased individual in a wilderness environment, according to the coroner's office.

Authorities responded and determined the body to be Hunter's.

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Previously reported: Search for missing Greenville man Dale Hunter called off

Hunter, 76, of 1235 Altamont Road, was reported missing on April 5 after family members told deputies that he left in the morning to go for a walk and never returned. They had said that Hunter suffers from dementia and could be in danger.

The Sheriff's Office spent several days using bloodhounds, helicopters and search and rescue teams in the Altamont Road area following Hunter's disappearance. The search was later called off after turning up no results.

Hunter's family had also pleaded for the public's assistance, offering a $10,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to his safe return.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday to determine a cause of death. His time and day of death is currently undetermined.

The Coroner's Office and Sheriff's Office are continuing to investigate the case.

Check back with The Greenville News for more on this developing story.