New Orleans chef was reported missing, thought to be dead. Then he showed up at his family's home.
A popular chef reported missing in New Orleans over the weekend has been found alive after his family told local media he was dead, according to multiple reports.
Family of Demietriek Scott, who goes by "Chef Scott," reported the cook missing on Saturday, New Orleans Police Department confirmed to Paste BN.
His family later told multiple outlets including WWL his body had been found on the side of a bridge in the city's Ninth Ward on Monday morning.
But on Monday night, New Orleans media reported Scott, 47, had been found alive and well.
“I’ve been around,” Scott told WVUE after he showed up at his family’s home late Monday afternoon. “I essentially just needed some time for myself.”
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Missing persons report was filed before Scott missed festival
A missing person's report was filed for Scott on June 10, police told Paste BN Tuesday. The person who filed it told officers they hadn’t seen or heard from him in two weeks.
WWL also reported family said he was absent from a major festival over the weekend where he was slated to cook.
On Monday, police said, officers responded to a report of an unclassified death in the city's Desire neighborhood.
Scott's daughter then told local media the remains were Scott’s, not realizing he was still alive. Family members said the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office suggested the body found in Desire was Scott's, WVUE reported.
"This claim was never officially determined nor verified or released to media by either the NOPD or the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office," police said. "To officially clear a missing persons case, the detective handling the case must make contact with the subject as evidence that he has been located. We are awaiting official notification from the detective assigned to the case that this has taken place."
Who is Demietriek Scott?
According to his website, the New Orleans native owns a food truck.
Raised Creole, he owns a catering business and has line of specialty sauces and rubs.
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Body not identified
The identity of the person found dead Monday remained under investigation this week, police said.
The person's cause and manner of death was also being investigated by the local coroner.
Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for Paste BN. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.