ACADIA PARISH, La. (KLFY) A body found in an open field near Mermentau Cove in Acadia Parish could be that of 89-year-old James Gunnels, a retired veteran from Jennings, who has been missing since February 13.

Sheriff K.P. Gibson said he was notified around 3 p.m. Tuesday that the body was discovered by a local farmer in an area southwest of Morse.

Gibson said the body was found several hundred yards from where a vehicle belonging to Gunnels was located several weeks ago.

Gunnels, who has been missing since leaving his Alexandria nursing home on the morning of February 13 and headed to Walmart, has not been seen by family since that date.

Gibson said the body has been recovered by the coroners office for an autopsy, and that a cause of death is pending a completion of that autopsy.

“We have notified the family that we believe it to be the body of Mr. Gunnels, however we are working to confirm the identity,” Gibson said.