After three days of searching, Michael Cavallari, brother of designer and reality TV star Kristin Cavallari, was found dead.
The 28-year-old fashion designer issued a statement to E! News saying, "We want to thank everyone for their love, support and prayers during this very difficult time."
She added that they have just been informed by the authorities that her brother's body has been found. "This is a very painful time and we are still processing it all. We kindly ask everyone to please respect our privacy during out time of grieving," an article from E! Online reported.
A report from the Grand Country Sheriff Office was issued and it contained further details on the discovery of the body. The statement said, "At approximately 10:30 a.m. search crews located remains believed to be that of Michael Cavallari. At this time, the body is being transported to the Office of the Utah Medical Examiner for positive identification and to determine the cause of death. The search crews were searching the Salt Wash area, near exit 175 on I-70 in Grand County. The terrain where the body was located is a steep and very rocky area."
A representative from the Utah Medical Examiner's Office could only provide a few details about the event. In a statement that he told E! News, "I can confirm that a body was found and transported to the medical examiner's office in Salt Lake City."
Concerns were raised when Kristin's brother's 2014 Honda Civic was found abandoned on November 27 at the I-70 in Utah. Authorities searched the area where the vehicle was found and they could not determine where the driver was. After Michael's car was discovered, police identified him in a security video footage from a convenience store. The video confirmed that he was indeed driving the car at around the same time it was found abandoned along the interstate.
An insider revealed to E! News that The Hills star's brother has been getting into a lot of trouble for quite some time now. "There's always been a lot of drama around them," the source said.
The insider also shared that the family is going through a lot of stress these days but remain in constant touch. It was stressful especially for Kristin who has just given birth to her third child in November.
"She's not a Hollywood mom. She doesn't have a lot of help. This has been tough on her."
From the time her brother disappeared, Kristin issued statements of gratitude to her fans. On her Instagram account, she thanked everyone for their concern and their prayers for her and her family. She even uploaded a childhood photo of her and Michael.
It has been reported that despite her brother's troubles, they remained very close. "She's always been protective of him and tried to help him however she could," the insider also mentioned.