Body Found On Marblehead Shore Identified As Missing Peabody Man

SALEM, MA — Authorities have identified a body that washed ashore in Marblehead on Thursday as 31-year-old Michael Gray of Peabody, who was reported missing by his family more than a month ago.

Essex District Attorney Paul Tucker said in a news release Saturday that a coroner positively identified Gray's body, which was found around 4 p.m. on the shore near Edgemere Road. Following the discovery, police said they believed the body was in the water "for a significant amount of time."

Gray was reported missing on Dec. 11, authorities said. Peabody police said Gray called them on Dec. 10 after he was locked out of his vehicle. After they could not get into the vehicle, police said officers gave him a ride to a place on Main Street in Peabody, where Gray said a family member worked.

Earlier this month, Massachusetts State Police and dive teams searched for Gray for several days in the water off Juniper Beach in Salem.

Peabody police had asked the public for information on Gray's whereabouts.

Authorities turned their focus to Marblehead after finding a potential connection between Gray and some articles of clothing found on the beach on Dec. 12, the district attorney's office said.

Gray’s body was found just across Salem Harbor by a woman walking her dog, authorities said.