Missing Man Found Dead Miles from Home with Loyal Pit Bull by His Side: 'Comforting Knowing He Wasn’t Alone’

“The dog that’d been with him for quite a while,” said Sheriff Mike Carpinelli

A New York man was found dead after a days-long search, and police say that when they found his body, his missing dog was right there, keeping watch.

According to the Lewis County Sheriff's Office, Cody Johnson, a 39-year-old man from Watson, was last seen at his home at around 2:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, Oct. 12, and was reported missing a day later. His dog, a pitbull, was also missing.

Police said that he made a phone call around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, which was the last time anybody heard from him.

"Cody may be on foot walking in the area, which is heavily wooded. New York State Forest Rangers are assisting with the search," police said in their initial news release.

On Wednesday, Oct. 16, Johnson was found dead, while his dog was found alive by his side, according to USA Today and CBS affiliate WWNY-TV.

Sheriff Carpinelli of the Lewis County Sheriff's Office tells PEOPLE that Johnson "was probably anywhere from about 6 to 7 miles away from his home when he was found." He also said that the man's dog stayed with him "the entire time."

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Investigator James Blackwell told USA Today that a local camp owner found Johnson's body.

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"I think it’s in a way a little comforting knowing he wasn’t alone out there,” Carpinelli said while speaking with WWNY-TV. “The dog that’d been with him for quite a while. His companion, and the loyalty he had with Cody. He stayed with him all those days and those evenings.”

In fact, according to the outlet, his dog initially didn't want to leave his owner's side at all, but is currently being cared for by a family friend.

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The local coroner's office, which did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment, told USA Today that an an autopsy was scheduled.

However, authorities have said that they believe Johnson's death was the result of being outside in cold temperatures, according to the outlets.

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