SEABOARD – The search for a missing Seaboard man has ended sadly.

Northampton County Sheriff Wardie Vincent said this afternoon (Thursday) that hunters had found the body of Robert Anderson, 53, earlier in the day.

Anderson went missing from his home on Tuesday morning, but family members didn’t suspect a problem until Wednesday.

“He reportedly left home walking Tuesday morning,” Sheriff Vincent said. “The family wasn’t too worried because they thought he was visiting a neighbor or friend, which was common.”

Anderson also reportedly spoke to a friend via cell phone on Tuesday afternoon.

After he didn’t return home, officers with the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office began searching Wednesday, but to no avail. Sheriff Vincent said they spoke with people in the area and started probing the disappearance.

A full-scale search began Thursday morning, but ended quickly when the sheriff’s office receive a telephone call.

“As we were searching, we received a call from hunters saying they had located a body off of U.S. 158,” Sheriff Vincent said.

Anderson’s body was located in a swamp near Deberry’s Mill, the sheriff said. There was no evidence of foul play.

“It looks as if he may have become disoriented and wondered around the swamp at night and fallen into the water where he was found,” Sheriff Vincent said.

Anderson’s body was taken to Halifax Regional Medical Center and will be sent for an autopsy.