Missing Man Found Dead Miles from Home with Loyal Pit Bull by His Side: 'Comforting Knowing He Wasn’t Alone’

Mar. 15, 2025

Cody Johnson.Photo:Lewis County Sheriff’s Office

Lewis County Sheriff’s Office

A New York man was found dead after a days-long search, and police say that when they found his body, his missing dog was right there, keeping watch.

According to theLewis County Sheriff’s Office, Cody Johnson, a 39-year-old man from Watson, was last seen at his home at around 2:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, Oct. 12, and was reported missing a day later. His dog, a pitbull, was also missing.

Police said that he made a phone call around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, which was the last time anybody heard from him.

“Cody may be on foot walking in the area, which is heavily wooded. New York State Forest Rangers are assisting with the search,” police said in their initial news release.

Sheriff Carpinelli of theLewis County Sheriff’s Officetells PEOPLE that Johnson “was probably anywhere from about 6 to 7 miles away from his home when he was found.” He also said that the man’s dog stayed with him “the entire time.”

Investigator James Blackwell toldUSA Todaythat a local camp owner found Johnson’s body.

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Lewis Countyl District Attorney/Coroner Jeffery G. Tompkins tells PEOPLE that an autopsy determined Johnson died from hypothermia and that his manner of death was accidental.

source: people.com