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Missing Darien man found dead in woods near home

By Howard B. Owens

A nearly 24-hour search by State Police for a missing 26-year-old man from Darien ended tragically this afternoon when his body was found in a wooded area west of Route 77.

Ryan C. Bergman left his residence on Fargo Road around 3:50 p.m. yesterday in clothing inappropriate for the freezing weather.

SP Batavia responded and led a search that included local volunteer firefighters, deputies and the K-9 unit from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

The search was called off around 9 p.m. last night and started again this morning.

Today's weather conditions permitted use of the State Police helicopter to assist in the search.

At one point during the search, there was a report by a neighbor of a man running through the woods east of Fargo Road, but it was never confirmed as a possible sighting of Bergman.

Early in the afternoon, volunteer firefighters were again assembled for a search party.

Bergman's body was located at 2:30 p.m. and pronounced dead by Coroner Kristine Flanagan.

There is no foul play suspected, according to the State Police.

Assisting in the search were volunteers firefighters from Darien, Alexander, Alabama and Alden.

The cause of death has not been determined.

Previously: State Police conducting missing person search in Darien

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