Body of missing Anthem man found in New River, authorities say

PHOENIX — The body of a 79-year-old man from Anthem who was reported missing last week was located in the New River over the weekend, authorities said.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that the body of Lonnie Townsend was found in the river, west of the Interstate 17, on Sunday night.

He was first reported missing last Friday after he was seen leaving for a walk south of the Curtis Ranch near 43rd Avenue, south of New River Road.

Deputies and detectives conducted extensive ground and air searches for Townsend in the days after he was reported missing, but did not locate any signs of him.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office officials said there did not appear to be signs of foul play. An investigation is ongoing.

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