The body of a 42-year-old Carmacks man was found Tuesday in the Yukon River near that community.

The RCMP said Wednesday they believe the man drowned.

The man, whose name has not been released, was last seen early last Sunday, but it wasn't until around 5 p.m. Tuesday that anyone filed a missing persons report.

Witnesses told police they had found the man's hat and other personal effects "near a steep and slippery embankment on the shore of the Yukon River,” according to reports from the RCMP.

"It was nothing to indicate that he would have removed items to go into the water,” RCMP spokesman Sgt. Don Rogers said today. "They were more items that would have fallen off or out when a person slipped.”

Police believe the man probably fell into the river and drowned, according to a press release on the incident; they do not suspect foul play.

A search and rescue team was dispatched at 6 p.m. Within 10 minutes, the man's body was found about 3 1/2 metres from the place where investigators believe he fell into the river.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death, police said, adding they continue to investigate the matter with the Yukon coroner's service.

"The name of the victim is not being released pending the results of an autopsy,” according to a police statement.

"Any release of the identity of the victim will be done by the coroner.”