A body found in Palm Desert, California, on Thursday afternoon is that of the 33-year-old LA executive who vanished a week ago.
His family confirmed the information Thursday to NBC affiliate KMIR and on Facebook. The Riverside County Coroner's Office identified the body Friday morning, but did not determine a cause of death.
Omar Arce Meza disappeared Jan. 8 after walking out of the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort about 11 p.m. while in Palm Desert for a business trip.
A vice president with AIG Financial Distributors, Meza missed scheduled business meetings the following day.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department said about 4:30 p.m. Thursday the body was found in the 74800 block of Country Club — the same block as the JW Marriott. Authorities have not identified the body or released a cause of death.
Meza's family released a statement Thursday evening on Facebook about his death.
"We are with heavy hearts tonight as we announce the passing of Omar Meza. He was a very loved son, husband, brother & friend. We would like to take this time to grieve his passing and ask that everyone please respect our privacy at this time.
"We would like to thank all of the supporters this past week. It brings tears to our eyes to see how well loved Omar was, he will be missed by many," the statement read.
The statement also said the family canceled a news conference that had been scheduled for Friday.
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
Diane Meza, the vanished man's wife, told NBC4 earlier this week that one of his co-workers put him in an Uber car.
"The intention was to send him to his hotel. I think there was probably some confusion on which Marriott to go to," she said.
Diane Meza called her husband "absolutely the best thing that ever happened to me. He made everything better."
He was scheduled to stay at the Courtyard by Marriott, but security cameras captured him walking out of the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort instead. His jacket and wallet were found on the resort's golf course.
Divers searched golf course ponds Monday after bloodhounds pointed in the direction of water traps on the golf course, but searchers found nothing. Authorities said they had concluded the search of the premises on Wednesday.
When asked by NBC4 Thursday night how they missed a body during their search of the grounds, authorities said they did not have an answer.
A representative with AIG declined an interview with NBC4 but said the company is working with authorities and their thoughts are with family and friends.
