LEONARD, Mo. -- An Iowa hunter was found dead this morning after being missing in Shelby County since Sunday.

Blake J. Kouri, 24, of Lamoni, Iowa, was last seen going into his deer blind at 6 a.m. Sunday. When he didn't return Sunday night, authorities were alerted and a search began.

Rescue workers and area residents searched the woods in the area southeast of Leonard until 2:30 this morning, then resumed the search until he was found at 7:40 a.m. today.

Authorities said there is no evidence of criminal activity. Kouri's body was found about 75 yards north of County Road 134, laying facedown in a creek.

Shelby County Coroner Ralph Eagan pronounced Kouri dead at 9:03 a.m. and said an autopsy is scheduled on his body next week.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Department, fire departments from Shelbyville, Shelbina and Clarence, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Salt River Ambulance District and Shelby County citizens participated in the search.