CURRITUCK — The body of a Elizabeth City man missing on a canoe trip for nearly a month has been found in Coinjock Bay.

The Currituck County sheriff's office says 26-yearold Ricky Ballance was found around 12:30 p.m. Sunday by one of his relatives.

Sheriff Susan Johnson says deputies had been conducting a search earlier Sunday.

The body is being taken to the Regional Medical Examiner's Office in Greenville.

Officials say Ballance launched his canoe Dec. 23 from a canal in the Maple community. Johnson says Balance had planned to go to his duck blind nearby.

The Coast Guard conducted a 12-hour search before suspending efforts on Christmas Eve.

Ballance's canoe was found on the opposite side of the bay.

Johnson says there is no indication of foul play.