The identity of a body found just before 3:30 p.m. Sunday has been confirmed to be that of Radivoje "Ray" Novakovic, a 76-year-old Hugo man with medical problems who had disappeared July 28 after he set out for his usual 3- to 4-mile walk.
The identity was confirmed Tuesday by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office. The cause and manner of death is still being investigated, but Washington County Sheriff Bill Hutton said foul play is not suspected.
Novakovic's body was found in a remote wooded area off Fable Hill Way N. by three adults and a juvenile who were part of voluntary search efforts mounted in the area around the north end of Bald Eagle Lake.
Novakovic walked the area each day. The body was found about a mile from Novakovic's home.
Shortly after Novakovic had been reported missing the previous Sunday night, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the State Patrol helicopter and Washington County Sheriff's Office Mounted Patrol and Water Patrol, started an intensive search. Workers with Hugo's Public Works Department were among those who joined the effort, later supplanted by family members and volunteers.
Novakovic suffered from diabetes, which sometimes caused him to become disoriented, and also had a mild bipolar disorder.
Jim Anderson • 651-925-5039
Twitter: @StribJAnderson
