Peter Beard's Death Confirmed: Heartbroken Family Pays Tribute

MONTAUK, NY — The death of renowned photographer Peter Beard has been confirmed.

A statement was posted on Beard's website on behalf of his family confirming the tragic news that the remains found Sunday in a Montauk park were his.

“We are all heartbroken by the confirmation of our beloved Peter’s death. We want to express our deep gratitude to the East Hampton police and all who aided them in their search, and also to thank the many friends of Peter and our family who have sent messages of love and support during these dark days," the message read.

“Peter was an extraordinary man who led an exceptional life. He lived life to the fullest; he squeezed every drop out of every day. He was relentless in his passion for nature, unvarnished and unsentimental but utterly authentic always. He was an intrepid explorer, unfailingly generous, charismatic, and discerning. Peter defined what it means to be open: open to new ideas, new encounters, new people, new ways of living and being," his family said.

"Always insatiably curious, he pursued his passions without restraints and perceived reality through a unique lens. Anyone who spent time in his company was swept up by his enthusiasm and his energy. He was a pioneering contemporary artist who was decades ahead of his time in his efforts to sound the alarm about environmental damage. His visual acuity and elemental understanding of the natural environment was fostered by his long stays in the bush and the 'wild-deer-ness he loved and defended. He died where he lived: in nature," the message read. "We will miss him every day.”

Beard's daughter Zara posted a heartfelt tribute to her father on Instagram, as well of photos of herself with him when she was a little girl: "While it is impossible to describe what a loss of this magnitude feels like, today it is safe to say that with the loss of my dad, the world also lost a little bit of its magic," she said.

While she said she has received confirmation of his physical death, "in my heart and mind he will live on and be loved forever."

The remains of an elderly man matching the description of missing photographer and artist Peter Beard were found in Montauk's Camp Hero State Park, police said.

Beard, 82, had been missing from his Montauk Home since March 31, police said. At the time he went missing, police said, Beard was suffering from dementia.

Detectives were called to Old Montauk Highway in Montauk Sunday at 9:10 a.m. after a hunter familiar with the area found a piece of clothing consistent with a description of clothing worn by Beard, police said.

A search of the area was conducted and the remains of an elderly man consistent with the description of Beard and the clothing he was wearing were located in a densely wooded area, police said.

Beard worked with artists including Andy Warhol, British painter Francis Bacon, Salvador Dali and Truman Capote. Beard showed his work at the Guild Hall in East Hampton in 2016, according to People magazine.

Zara Beard thanked all who helped her and her family during the search for her father. "Thank you for all the loving messages of support. Your kindness has been an enormous source of strength and it will never, ever be forgotten," she wrote.

She then quoted Rumi: "Good-byes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation."

Zara then wrote: "Rest in peace, my beloved father, Peter Hill Beard. January 22, 1938 — forever."