Body Suspected To Be Missing Photographer's Found In Montauk

The remains of a man police believe may be noted photographer and artist Peter Beard were found Sunday, April 19, in a thick wooded area not far from his home in Montauk. Beard, 82, had been reported missing by his wife, Nejma Beard, late in the afternoon on March 31. According to the East Hampton Town police, Beard needed medication when he disappeared, and was suffering from dementia.

Police launched a search for Beard early morning April 1, deploying helicopters and canines, but were hindered by the extremely dense woods surrounding Beard’s property on Old Montauk Highway, about a mile east of Deep Hollow Ranch.

Police reported Sunday afternoon that a hunter who knew the terrain found an article of clothing that matched the description of what Beard had been wearing when he disappeared. The hunter made the discovery a little after 9 AM. Police said a search was immediately launched, and a body, matching Beard’s description, was found.

The remains were taken to the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office, where a final identification will be made.

t.e@indyeastend.com