The body of a former White House chef last seen setting off for a hike alone more than a week ago near Taos, New Mexico, has been found, according to media reports.

Searchers late Sunday found Walter Scheib, 61, dead in a forest near Taos Ski Valley on the fifth day of the search-and-rescue mission, the Taos News and NBC News reported. Scheib was about 1.7 miles from the trail head where his car was found, the Taos News said, citing the New Mexico State Police.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the reports.

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Last week, search and rescue teams scoured the rugged mountains above the Taos Ski Valley.

Scheib embarked alone on the Yerba Canyon Trail, which reaches altitudes above 12,000 feet, a Taos Search and Rescue spokesman said earlier.

According to Scheib’s website, www.theamericanchef.com, he served as White House executive chef under President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush from 1994 until 2005.

He was initially hired by then-First Lady Hillary Clinton, who the site says was “impressed by the comprehensive spa menu Scheib had developed for the Greenbrier resort, as well as his highlighting of American cuisine.”

He is listed as co-author of “White House Chef: Eleven Years, Two Presidents, One Kitchen,” published in 2007.

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