The body was found in the Weaver's Pond neighborhood. Police had searched that area since Thursday, looking for Kareem Shabazz, who was last seen in that vicinity.
A spokesman for the Zebulon Police Department said they believed the body recovered was Shabazz because of clothing and an appearance that matched that of Shabazz.
The body was recovered in a small drainage pond in the neighborhood, police added. Most of the water was pumped out of the pond after they removed the body in hopes of finding additional evidence.
Shabazz, who is from Raleigh, was last seen Tuesday afternoon doing car detail work in Zebulon. He left on foot believed to be heading to Walmart, but he had not been seen since.
Police have not made an official identification of the body. Police told ABC11 that they did not see any obvious signs of trauma on the body but the medical examiner is working to determine the cause of death.
"I'm very shocked," said a neighbor identified only as Kyanna. "Not really expecting something like this to happen in this area but I would just like to know some answers on what happened to this young man.
As darkness fell, investigations ceased operations for the night but secured the scene and planned to return Tuesday morning.