Rescuers find body of man believed to be missing Palo Alto hiker

PLEASANTON, Calif. (KGO) -- The search is over Thursday afternoon for a missing 70-year-old Bay Area man.

Shortly after 2 p.m. on Thursday, the body of a man was found near the Maguire Peak Trail. The coroner has not yet confirmed his identity but officials say it appears to be 70-year-old Irwin "Don" Meyers.

Meyers was last seen Wednesday morning when he left his Palo Alto home for the East Bay.

Authorities say he was hiking in the Sunol Regional Wilderness in unincorporated Alameda County.

His common-law wife called East Bay Regional Park District Police on Wednesday night after he didn't return home.

Meyers recently celebrated his 70th birthday and she told detectives he liked to hike the Maguire Peak Trail a couple times a year.

On Wednesday morning, he left with lots of water and some snacks but she expected him to be home for a late lunch.

He didn't make it.

Search crews located his car near the trail head and they combed the hills until 2 a.m. They resumed the effort at first light on Thursday.

Just about when they planned to break for lunch, the search and rescue helicopter spotted a body.

"It is one of the highest peaks in the area. There is loose footing up there but it would be speculative at this point to determine whether or not he fell or whatnot. The investigation will determine that," East Bay Regional Park District's Lt. Lance Brede said.

The helicopter will take the coroner to the area where the body was found. Once the positive test identification has been made, we expect to learn more about how and why he died.

Meyers lived in Palo Alto with his common-law wife and loved to volunteer at Abilities United.

Follow Tiffany Wilson on Twitter for more details on this developing story.