The body of an adult male was found this afternoon on the eastern  shoreline of Dyes Inlet, in the Tracyton area of Central Kitsap.

Sheriff’s detectives are conducting an investigation into the man’s death. Kitsap County sheriff’s search and rescue personnel, together with sheriff’s detectives and a waterborne craft from the sheriff’s marine services unit, have been involved in the  search for a 72 year-old East Bremerton man since approximately 1 p.m. today.

A sheriff’s crew aboard a marine unit boat located the body around 3:20 p.m.

The last known contact with the man was Dec. 18.  Family members notified the  sheriff’s office Dec. 20 that they hadn’t heard from the man, but didn’t want to list him as  missing at that time.

Sheriff’s deputies searched the man’s residence, the surrounding property and  conducted inquiries of adjacent properties and local establishments.  Although

characterized as unusual, there was nothing suspicious about the fact that he hadn’t  communicated with his family.

After a follow-up request and response by deputies on Dec. 21, he was entered into the  national data base as a missing person.

The Kitsap County Coroner is conducting a parallel investigation and will confirm the  man’s identity.  As part of this investigation the county’s forensic pathologist will conduct  an autopsy and the coroner will determine cause and manner of death.