Missing Stafford Man Found Dead in Woods

A Stafford Township man has been found dead in the woods near his home, according to a press release from Stafford police.

Police say Joseph L. Autry was reported missing Saturday but hadn't spoken to family members since Thursday. An initial canvass of the neighborhood in the Beach Haven West section and interviews with residents turned up nothing, according to police.

On Monday, Police Detective Brian Fenlon conducted additional interviews with neighbors and family members and determined that Autry was last seen in a wooded area near his residence. As a result, the NJ State Police Aviation Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and the Ocean County Sheriff's Department K9 team were called in to assist with the search for Autry in the wooded area near his Jane Drive address.

Autry was located deceased by the K9 team in the wooded area and investigators are trying to determine the cause of death.