A body recovered from Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield, Massachusetts is believed to be Jason Thomas, a missing 45-year-old man reported missing after leaving home the previous day.

Wakefield Police, with assistance from the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, K-9 units, and drones, conducted extensive searches around the lake before the body was found.

A Wakefield police detective found the body around 12:30 p.m. in the frozen lakeside area during area searches.

This is a developing story, with updates to be provided as more information becomes available.

Final confirmation of identity and the cause of death will come from the medical examiner.

Thomas was an assistant director of chemical biology at Novartis, and authorities do not suspect foul play in his death.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the identity and the cause and manner of death, with no foul play suspected at this time.

Preliminary information, including clothing, supports the identification as Thomas, according to Middlesex DA’s Office and Wakefield Police Chief.

Authorities preliminarily identified the recovered body as Thomas, with the medical examiner to confirm identity and determine the cause and manner of death.

A GoFundMe fundraiser to support searches for Jason Thomas had raised about $60,000 as of today.

Thomas was a scientist at Novartis and had recently faced personal hardships, including the loss of both parents last fall, as described by his wife.

The deceased has been identified as Jason Thomas, 45, based on clothing observed by investigators.