Missing man’s body found

A Chico State business professor who was reported missing Nov. 22 was found dead two days later in Big Chico Creek, upstream from Bear Hole in Upper Bidwell Park.

According to a Chico Police Department press release, Michael Gundlach (pictured), 40, was reported missing by concerned family and friends who said that he may have been in a state of depression and had not been seen since Nov. 20.

Park rangers located Gundlach’s vehicle in the parking lot just east of Horseshoe Lake on Nov. 22. After a search involving a helicopter, all-terrain vehicles and a K-9 unit, his body was found at 10 a.m. Sunday morning (Nov. 24). According to the press release, there was no evidence of foul play and the investigation has been turned over to the Butte County Sheriff/Coroner’s Office to determine the cause of death.