Steve Pettibone, 39, was last seen in the morning of Aug. 18 as he left his Belleville, Ont., home for his job at the Brockville Recorder and Times. He never showed up for work, co-workers say. (Supplied photo)

Belleville police say a body found near Brockville, Ont., is that of missing Ontario journalist Steve Pettibone.

Provincial police received a call Tuesday night from a resident in the township of Elizabethtown​, saying a vehicle matching the description of the car driven by Pettibone had been found.

Const. Joel Doiron said a grey KIA vehicle had been abandoned in a field off a rural road.

After confirming it was Pettibone's car, police began to search the rural area surrounding the vehicle.

OPP Const. Cathy Lindsey said on Wednesday a body was found "deep in the bush" nearby around 10:30 a.m. ET but foul play was not suspected.

The investigation continues and an autopsy is scheduled for Aug. 21.

Pettibone was last seen at 7:30 a.m. ET on Monday when he left his home in Belleville, Ont., to go to work at the Brockville Recorder and Times, where he is the sports editor.

His colleagues said he never arrived.

The newspaper's managing editor, Derek Gordanier, wrote a column appealing for assistance in locating the journalist, saying the disappearance was "out of character" and left the newsroom "incredibly concerned.”