Just as the Placer County sheriff’s deputies ramped up today’s search efforts to find a missing Clipper Gap man, the body of Gary Howe was found by searchers within a half-mile of his home at about 9:40am.

Howe was first reported missing Sunday night by a caretaker.

A large-scale search and rescue effort began Sunday evening. By Tuesday morning, searchers from El Dorado, Nevada, and Calaveras counties had joined the effort. Fifty searchers, including those on foot, specialized dog teams, horses and 4×4 vehicles were looking for Howe when his body was located in a steep, heavily wooded area.

Howe, 71, had dementia and vision problems.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.