A private search group found a missing 38-year-old Albert Lea man dead Tuesday evening near Goose Lake on the northeast side of Albert Lea.

According to police, Michael Thostenson died of self-inflicted wounds. He was found in a wooded area just before 6:30 p.m.

Thostenson’s family had reported the man missing to police at about 11:45 p.m. Monday and noted they were concerned for his welfare.

Since that time, Albert Lea police officers, Albert Lea firefighters and even a helicopter from the Minnesota State Patrol had been searching for him.

Firefighters, including Capt. Scott Hanna, a certified tracker, canvassed for Thostenson by foot beginning at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. An Austin K-9 team tracked Thostenson from his Giles Place residence to near Ulstad Avenue, after which the team could no longer maintain the track.

Near the area where the scent was lost was a set of train tracks, which leads up to near Goose Lake. Police are speculating that Thostenson may have walked along those tracks.

Just before noon, a State Patrol helicopter looked for any sign of Thostenson at Goose Lake, Bancroft Bay Park and a few other locations family members thought he might have gone to. There were no physical signs of his location.

After authorities stated they had exhausted leads Tuesday afternoon, family and friends of the man began their own search.

Thostenson was reportedly found in a thickly wooded area that would not have been visible to the helicopter, Albert Lea police Lt. J.D. Carlson said.

He was reportedly last seen at about 1:45 p.m. Monday. He left his car, cellphone and identification at his house.