SAN DIEGO -- A body was found Friday in Joshua Tree National Park, not far from where a 17-year-old boy disappeared last week, 10News reported.

MISSING HIKER Eric Sears Web Site Search For Missing Hiker Takes Disturbing Turn Police Search Friend Of Missing Hiker's Home Community Holds Vigil Search For Missing Carlsbad Hiker

A member of the Carlsbad fire department made the discovery around 11:30 a.m.

The body has yet to be immediately identified.

The missing hiker, Eric Sears, is from Carlsbad. National Park Ranger Cindy Von Halle said the body was found 2.5 miles east of Jumbo Rocks.

According to Riverside sheriff officials, the body was clothed only in boxer shorts.

Sears went missing July 15 while he and a friend were staying at the Jumbo Rocks campground at Joshua Tree.

Riverside County authorities believe Sears may have fallen victim to some sort of crime, as opposed to merely getting lost in the wilderness.

On Thursday, detectives investigated the home of a 17-year-old friend who accompanied Sears on the outing.

The friend's identity cannot be identified because he is a juvenile.

About a half-dozen investigators from the Central Homicide unit of the Riverside County's Sheriff's Department spent six hours Thursday at Fogelstrom's home in Carlsbad.

Quinata said there was "probable cause" to search Sears friend's home based on interviews with more than 30 people during the past week. He said the boy is not a suspect.

The National Park Service reopened the Jumbo Rocks campground Thursday, which had been closed since Friday.