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Members of the Maine Warden Service search the Little Androscoggin River on April 23 behind Don’s No Preference Towing at 940 Washington St. North in Auburn. They were looking for Ryan-Eric Richardson, who was last seen April 17 running toward the back of the towing service company. Richardson’s body was found in the river Thursday. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

AUBURN — The body of 35-year-old Ryan-Eric Richardson was found Thursday in the Little Androscoggin River, police said Thursday night.

Police did not release any cause of death. An autopsy was expected to get underway Friday.

Richardson had last been seen April 17 walking in the area of 959 Washington St., according to his friends and family.

Police had searched several areas, including the Little Androscoggin River.

Ryan-Eric Richardson

The Maine Warden Service assisted the Auburn Fire Department in recovering the body Thursday afternoon.

Richardson’s cousin, Courtney Gelineau, told the Sun Journal earlier in the week that Richardson had been at a nearby party spending time with friends when a surveillance camera caught him suddenly running across the road toward Don’s No Preference Towing before going into the woods.

The disappearance had been frequently reported on social media in recent weeks, with more and more people getting involved with the search.

Police did not say if foul play was suspected.

Mark LaFlamme is a Sun Journal reporter and weekly columnist. He's been on the nighttime police beat since 1994, which is just grand because he doesn't like getting out of bed before noon. Mark is the...