Adelaide family of Afghanistan veteran Captain Paul McKay grieving after his body was found in US
AN Adelaide family is grieving the loss of a Afghanistan war veteran, whose body was found after a two-week search in the United States.
AN Adelaide family is grieving the loss of a Afghanistan war veteran whose body was found on Thursday after a two-week search in the United States.
Captain Paul McKay, 31, lived in Canberra, where he served with the army, but is survived by his parents and sister who live in Adelaide.
Fellow soldiers described him as a "friendly face" who was highly "respected for his service".
His body was found on a rock outcrop around 150m from a trail in upstate New York at 2.45am Thursday Adelaide time.
There had been grave concerns for Capt McKay, who was suffering post-traumatic stress disorder after a tour of Afghanistan and was on leave from the army.
"This is not the outcome we had hoped for," said Saranac Lake police chief Bruce Nason, who disclosed details on the discovery of the body.
"His disappearance ended tragically and at this time we continue our investigation (into the circumstances)."
Capt McKay went missing on New Year's Eve and was last seen walking along train tracks near the mountain where he was found.
He sent an email to his father on 30 December saying he was leaving him all of his possessions. His father, John McKay, reported him missing two weeks ago.
The discovery of his body on the 932m mountain, a popular hiking site, ends an extensive search.
The mountain region has been hit by extremely cold weather caused by a polar vortex in the US, which resulted in snow storms and temperatures falling below minus 30C.
Chief Nason said the cause of death was yet to be determined but there were no suspicious circumstances. He said he was unaware if a note had been found with the body.
The body was found by a New York forest ranger, who climbed in a section of the mountain that was hidden from searching helicopters.
"The family has been informed of this news and we express our deepest sympathy for their loss," Chief Nason said.
Reports in America said an autopsy had been carried out and found Capt McKay died of hypothermia, which caused an irregular heartbeat. A coroner had ruled the death a suicide.
The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reported Capt McKay was on duty in Afghanistan at the Sorkh Bed forward operating base in October 2011 on the day an Afghan soldier opened fire on 10 Australian soldiers, killing three and an interpreter, and injuring seven.
It was also claimed an email to his father from a hotel in Saranac Lake as the last his family had heard of him.
"In this email … he shared some financial information and some other information that would lead us to believe he didn't plan on going back,'' Chief Nason said.
If you need help with mental health issues, call Lifeline on 131114 or Beyondblue on 1300 22 4636. - WITH AAP