Body Found in Ramona Near Missing Man's Home

A dead body was discovered in Ramona Wednesday, just a half mile away from the home of a missing man, according to sheriff’s officials.

The body was found in some brush around 3 p.m. in the 18000 block of Chablis Road after neighbors reported smelling a foul odor.

Officials have not identified the body as Carl Salayer, 67, who has been missing for a week and a half.

Salayer was last seen June 16 at his home in the 17000 block of Handlebar Road. This prompted an expansive search for the man, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

Sheriff's officials said there were no signs of foul play.

Salayer's nephew, Taylor Ryan, said if it is his uncle, it would bring the family peace.

"I love my uncle. If it is his body it would bring needed closure to family," said Ryan.

“Definitely, my family is grieving. For me it’s a sense of relief they found someone that could be my uncle. We wish him the best now. He’s in heaven,” he added.

Ramona resident Rebekah Palma was questioned by investigators to see if she’d seen anything strange in the area. She watched as detectives pulled the body out of the brush across the street from her home.

Days ago she said her dogs created quite a stir.

She's convinced the body found is Salayer, and is left wondering if her dogs perhaps heard the missing man’s cries for help.

“It was a relief to find him but kind of sad that he was so close and that we could have helped if we’d known,” said Palma.

Ryan said he’ll always remember his uncle.

“I definitely have fond memories of going to football games with him and enjoying life with him. He’s definitely a spiritual man,” he told NBC 7.

Ryan said deputies contacted their family but didn’t confirm if the body was Salayer’s. Identification will come from the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Ironically, detectives searched along Chablis Road a week ago to the day the body was found.

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