NEWPORT BEACH : Body of Missing Jogger, 22, Found Near Park by Copter : Search: Police say there was no sign of foul play in the Newport Beach man’s death. He disappeared Wednesday.

A 22-year-old Newport Beach man who disappeared Wednesday while jogging near Laguna Beach was found dead Thursday near Alta Laguna Park, authorities said.

Searchers in a helicopter spotted the man, whose identity was not immediately released, in a brushy area less than 150 yards from the baseball diamond at the city park, Orange County sheriff’s investigators said.

The body did not show any signs of foul play, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jim White said, but as a matter of procedure the case is being investigated by homicide detectives.

Jim Armomino, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Department, gave this account of events leading up to the discovery:

The man was jogging Wednesday with a friend in Aliso and Woods Canyon Regional Park when he complained of feeling hot and exhausted.

The friend had an important meeting and went on ahead but called later to check on the man, who was due at work at 2 p.m.

When the friend learned that the man had failed to show up for work, he called the man’s roommate, and the two went back to the park to look for him.

The two then notified the Sheriff’s Department, which began an extensive search of the area by deputies on foot, a bicycle patrol, a bloodhound and a helicopter crew, who discovered the body about 11 a.m. Thursday.