Body found in Grant County believed to be missing hunter

A body found near Royal City in Grant County is believed to be a man reported missing after he didn’t return from a hunting trip on Nov. 20.

More than 100 people searched for North Bend resident Thomas Steig, 55, on foot, horseback and ATV for several days. Private planes as well as a helicopter from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and a plane from Fairchild Air Force Base also joined the search.

A body was found around 9:45 a.m. Wednesday near Crab Creek just south of the location where Steig’s cell phone last pinged a cell tower and is believed to be Steig, according to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. It appears that Steig fell, the press release said.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.