BEAUFORT: An elderly man reported missing since Saturday was found dead yesterday at Sungai Padas in Kampung Melulugus here.

The body of 62-year-old Ng Pan Sung from Kg Batu 60 was found in the river by a search and rescue (SAR) team at around 3pm on Jan 2.

It was learnt that Ng had left home to attend a wedding ceremony at Kg Montenior on New Year’s Eve but he failed to return.

His family members lodge a missing person report the following day.

District police chief Superintendent Azmir Abd Razak said search and rescue operation was launched after they found the victim’s vehicle abandoned near a hut by Sungai Padas.

“We suspected that the victim could have drowned when we found his car on Sunday. “However, his body was only found on Monday at about 3pm,” he added.

Police have ruled out any foul play and the body has been taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu for a post-mortem.-nst