ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE
The Roanoke County man who had been missing since Monday was found dead Wednesday by authorities.
Authorities say it believes Paul Youmans death is a result of a self-inflicted wound.
Youmans was found by search teams shortly after 1 p.m. off the hiking trail leading to Dragon's Tooth.
Roanoke County Police will continue to investigate the incident, and personnel will be working in the area throughout the evening.
Authorities are searching for a missing Roanoke County man who was last seen Monday morning, according to county officials.
Roanoke County officers were told by a friend that 34-year-old Paul Youmans was missing and was last seen Monday morning. Officers were told this information during a well-being check in the 3600 block of Georgetown Road.
Officers found Youmans' car in the parking lot near the hiking trails leading to Dragon's Tooth in Catawba.
Roanoke County Police and Fire & Rescue conducted a search with the help of several local bloodhound tracking groups. Monday's search ended around midnight due to darkness and the terrain of the trails.
The search continued on Tuesday by Roanoke County Police, Roanoke County Fire & Rescue and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
Authorities are still searching as of Wednesday morning. They say that well-meaning citizens who are trying to help search could do more harm than good, as their presence could hamper the dogs' abilities to track scents. There is also concern that someone could get hurt while trying to help.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Roanoke County Emergency Communications Center at 540-562-3265.