BELTON, Texas — A Belton man who was reported missing on March 9 has been found dead, according to the Belton Police Department.
Family, police and community members had been searching for 79-year-old Rogelio Arias since March 9, when he reportedly walked away from his family's home on Muelhause Street in Belton, Texas.
Shortly before 8 p.m. on Friday, March 22, The City of Belton announced that Arias' body had been found along the bank of the Leon River.
"It is with a heavy heart that I share that the search for Rogelio Arias has concluded," said Chief Larry Berg in a statement. "While searching the Leon River today by kayak, Belton Police Department detectives found Rogelio’s body on the bank of the river, north of Taylors Valley Road. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Police said Arias' body was found around 2:30 p.m.
Belton Police said they had conducted aerial searches using a drone, searched nearby bodies of water by kayak, canvassed "miles of fields and dense overgrowth by foot" and conducted K9 searches in the area where Arias was last seen.
The Belton Police Department offered their condolences to Arias' family and loved ones. No further information is available at this time.
Arias' family said he suffered from dementia and did not speak English.
Previous coverage of the search for Arias can be found at this link or on KCENTV.com.
The full release from the City of Belton can be found at this link.
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