Dead Man Found Inside Missing Bristol Elderly Man's Car

BRISTOL, RI — Bristol police said they found an elderly man's body inside a car belonging to a Bristol man who has been missing for weeks.

Officers found the red Toyota belonging to Brian Mello, 76, just before 10:30 a.m. Friday, "embedded in extremely den overgrowth and brush" near Metacom Avenue, police said. But police have not yet confirmed the identity of the body or the cause of death.

Mello was reported missing Monday, but had not been seen by family and friends since May 13. During the investigation, police learned Mello drove to North, Massachusetts, to visit a friend before being reported missing.

Detectives immediately began tracing the route they believed Mello may have traveled from Norton back to Bristol. While searching Metacom Avenue, north of Griswold Avenue in Bristol, police said they found Mello's car in the woods.

Police said there were no skid marks or debris that would have alerted anyone that a vehicle had driven off the road. As of Friday afternoon, police do not believe there was foul play involved with the man's death.

"Chief Lynch and the members of the Bristol Police Department extend their thoughts and sympathy to the family of Alan Mello during this difficult time," Police Maj. Brian Burke said.