A red jacket found by two men canoeing on the New Jersey River helped in finding the body of Wall Street Journal energy markets reporter David Bird. The 55-year-old business journalist went missing on Jan. 11, 2014.

He was wearing a red jacket, which the canoers found and turned over to the police and led to the discovery of Bird's corpse. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office confirmed it was Bird through his dental records, reports Huffington Post.

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According to AP, his body was discovered in the middle of the river. It was almost one and a half miles away from his house and Hicks Tract. His family believes he was going toward the park when he disappeared.

The prosecutor said the Medical Examiner is studying the cause and manner of Bird's death. Since authorities are still investigating, funeral arrangements are still pending, said the family of Bird who requested that their privacy be respected.

Prior to working with WSJ, Bird was with Dow Jones for more than 20 years.

He was last seen walking near his residence in Long Hill Township, which is about 30 miles west of New York City. When he disappeared, his family was worried because he did not have any medication with him. Bird was a liver transplant recipient.

The family thanked law enforcement agencies, particularly Chief Michael Mazzeo and the Long Hill Township Police Department for the efforts in searching for Bird. They also thanked friends, neighbors and strangers who prayed for the missing journalist and his family, said Carolyn Buscarino, the family spokeswoman.

In response to the discovery of Bird's body, Wall Street Journal editor in chief Gerard Baker said in a statement, "David Bird was a longstanding and valued member of the Dow Jones newsroom, and we are deeply saddened to learn today of his death."

TagsDavid Bird, Wall Street Journal, New Jersey