Missing Horseback Rider Found Dead in Lake Days After Disappearance

The body of a woman who went missing almost a week ago during a horseback ride has been found in Missouri.

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton, who is also the county coroner, confirmed that the body of Meghan Rouns was found in the Missouri River 100 feet from shore and submerged in 11 feet of water, according to a news release posted to Facebook by the sheriff’s office.

“It is with great sadness we report that Meghan was located by our search and rescue divers around 3:40 pm this afternoon. She is deceased,” Dutton said in a statement.

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Per the authorities, Rouns’ body will be transported to Missoula, Mont. to “determine [the] cause and manner of [her] death.”

“Some of you knew Meghan, some of you did not, but you came to help in time of need. Thank you. To Meghan’s family, we extend our condolences and deepest sympathy,” Dutton said, adding that her husband and family “wish to thank all of you who helped search for her” and provided “them comfort.”

Representatives from the Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Rouns, 27, last spoke with family around 2 p.m. local time on Friday, Oct. 4, the same day she went for a horseback ride in the McMaster Recreation area of Lewis & Clark County, according to NBC affiliate KTVH and CBS affiliate KXLH.

Dutton said Rouns’ last known contact was made around 4:20 p.m. that afternoon when she took a picture on Snapchat, per KXLH.

Rouns’ family informed police of the woman’s disappearance around 8 p.m. that same day, KTVH and CBS affiliate KRTV reported.

The next day, Rouns’ horse and cellphone were found, but she was not. Later, Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office announced that a search for the horseback rider had been launched.

On Monday, Oct. 7, Dutton said in a statement that crews were concentrating their search “on a section of the Missouri River.”