Body Of Peter Beard Found In Montauk

East Hampton Town Police said the body of the missing photographer and artist Peter Beard was found in Camp Hero State Park on Sunday morning.

Captain Chris Anderson said a hunter, who was checking out an area he frequents during the deer hunting season, found an article of clothing Mr. Beard had been reported wearing at the time of his disappearance last month. He said police discovered Mr. Beard’s body about an hour later at about 9 a.m.

Mr. Beard, 82, who suffered from dementia, wandered away from his home on the Montauk bluffs late on the afternoon of March 31. Despite an intense search that lasted several days and involved police, fire department volunteers, K-9 patrols, drones, and helicopters, there was no trace of him.

Captain Anderson said police combed the area, which is densely overgrown with bushes and trees, repeatedly during the search. “It’s just one of those things. He got into an area that was so thick,” he said. “How he got back there, we’ll never know.”

He said police are occasionally called out to help find hikers, who leave their cars at the overlook on Montauk Highway and get disoriented on the trails.

Captain Anderson said Mr. Beard’s body was found about halfway between Old Montauk Highway and Montauk Highway, not far from his home.

Mr. Beard’s body was taken to the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office. His family later confirmed his identity.

Town police detectives were continuing to investigate Mr. Beard’s death. Police asked anyone with information to call them at 631-537-7575.