RICH SQUARE – Hunters discovered a decomposed body here Sunday afternoon that is believed to be that of Sherman Leroy Brown.

The Rich Square man went missing on or around October 17 and the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office had been looking into his disappearance.

&uot;Several hunters found a decomposed body and contacted our office,&uot; Northampton County Sheriff Wardie Vincent said. &uot;They said they believed it to be Sherman Brown.&uot;

Vincent said deputies reported to the scene where they found a body they believed to be male.

Upon investigation, Brown’s wallet was found in the clothing on the body.

Vincent said the body was sent to Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount for an autopsy and there would be no conclusive evidence until results came back.

The sheriff indicated it was likely Brown died of a self-inflicted wound and added a weapon was found near a deer stand close to the body.

Vincent said the body was found in a wooded area some distance from Brown’s home.

In October, Brown’s family discovered he was missing after several trips to his home, located on Shoulers Road near Rich Square, and found no one there. Family members reported the disappearance to the NCSO.