CARROLLTON, Va. — A weeks-long search for a missing person out of Suffolk came to a sad end in Isle of Wight County on Friday.
Officials confirmed to 13News Now that the body found in a Carrollton retention pond belonged to a Newport News man, who was last seen on New Year's Eve in Suffolk.
Sheriff's deputies in Isle of Wight County said the body of a man was seen floating in the water near the corner of Brewer's Neck Boulevard and Carrollton Boulevard on Friday morning.
A dive team entered the pond to recover the body. A 1998 Dodge Ram was also discovered submerged.
On Friday afternoon, a spokesperson for the City of Suffolk confirmed the body was that of 69-year-old Robert Bailey.
Family members reported Bailey missing on January 2. He had last been seen two nights prior in the Chuckatuck area of Suffolk, driving his Dodge Ram pickup truck.
The scene prompted a multi-agency response, including from Isle of Wight County, Carrollton, Newport News and Virginia State Police.
Deputies turned the investigation over to VSP, who is now the lead agency investigating. A sergeant said early findings show the truck running off the road, landing in the pond.
Troopers have not yet released information on when or how Bailey crashed. Crews on Friday towed out the blue truck, covered in mud.
"It's not something you see every day and hopefully it's not something that we'll continue to see. It's kind of scary to see that in such a small town," said Andrew Jay Kaiser, who spoke exclusively with 13News Now.
He said he and a colleague made the discovery while driving on Route 17.
"The gentleman looked over. He saw something in the water and he said, 'Hey, I think that's a body.' We decided to turn around and come back," said Kaiser.
They were the ones to contact police, Kaiser recounted.
"We want to keep his dignity and everything like that. We were still curious, making sure it is what it is before we contacted the authorities. We didn't want to get too close or anything and interrupt what they needed to do," he added.
Kaiser also told 13News Now he did not know about a truck in the pond, upon seeing the body Friday morning.
Bailey's next of kin has been notified.