Lebanese priest Father Samir Daou was found murdered at his home in the town of Ain Jrayn, in the Jbeil district, after hours of uncertainty over his disappearance and attempts to contact him, according to local media reports.

Daou’s body was discovered on the second floor of his house, bringing a tragic end to the search for the priest, whose whereabouts had remained unknown after contact with him was lost.

Preliminary information obtained by local outlet Jadiduna indicate that investigators were focusing on a Syrian worker who had been with Daou before he disappeared. Initial reports suggested that the worker had taken the priest’s car and driven away after the killing. The circumstances of the crime and the allegations against the worker had not been fully established.

The last signal from Daou’s phone was detected in the city of Jbeil at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday. His phone was subsequently switched off, and attempts to reach him proved unsuccessful.

Local sources told Lebanon Debate that Daou had been traveling to his hometown of Ain Jrayn with a Syrian worker when contact with him was lost. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remained unclear as the search unfolded.

Maronite Bishop of Jbeil Michel Aoun followed developments from a meeting of the Council of Bishops at Bkerke, the seat of the Maronite Church. He contacted officials in the Lebanese Army command and the Information Branch, requesting that nearby wooded areas be searched, including with the assistance of a helicopter.

The investigation is continuing as authorities seek to establish the circumstances of Daou’s killing and determine the perpetrator.