CHESHIRE, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Paul Stewart, a 79-year-old New Hampshire man who officials had been searching for from Wednesday, September 20, was found dead in a wooded area in Cheshire County with two dogs by his side making sure he was safe.

Stewart had taken his two dogs for a walk on Wednesday afternoon, September 20, but didn't return. He was finally found on Thursday, September 21.

Where was Paul Stewart found?

He was found in the drainage of a wooded area, a few miles from his home after searchers spent night and day combing the woods near his home.

Stewart went missing after leaving his home on Old Swanzey Road in Spofford, a village in Chesterfield on Wednesday.

Stewart’s family told authorities they last saw him around 2.30 pm when he left home with his two unleashed dogs, Bailee and Karlee.

Rhonda Stewart told WMUR that the two of them had planned to attend a golf banquet on Wednesday night, September 20. She searched for him for an hour before calling 911.

Lt Lance Rouse from Chesterfield police told Union Leader, "His dogs had remained by his side."

How are police viewing the Paul Stewart case?

Even as Rouse said, "We’re working to get the family as many answers as possible," police suggested, hinting towards no foul play.

“Looks like at this point Paul ended up in a drainage area, which is common in lost person behaviours," said the state’s Fish and Game Sgt Kevin Bronson.

He said, "[Lost persons] end up in drainages which is why ultimately he was found."

Besides Fish and Game conservation officers, area police and firefighters and a team from New England K-9 Search and Rescue had joined the search efforts.

Rouse said the overnight temperatures during the search had fallen to 40s.

Rouse said, “It’s not the outcome we were looking for,” adding, “We’re going to continue to try to get answers for the family, and just ask that everyone respect their privacy.”

Dogs were making sure 'Paul Stewart was safe'

In an additional press release shared by the Chesterfield Police Department Chief Chickering, "Bailee and Karlee were there with him making sure Paul was safe."

He added, "I am happy to report that Bailee and Karlee are safely back home."

Chickering said that the family was speechless over how many people came to help find Paul.

"I have been told that 'words cannot say enough'. So on behalf of the family, a heartfelt thank you is expressed,'" the police chief said, as per the news release.