17-year-old found dead in Harnett County days after being reported missing

A missing 17-year-old has been found dead in Harnett County.

Harnett County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday that investigators found the body of James Devon Snipes, who had been reported missing Tuesday.

Snipes' body was located in a wooded area off Buffalo Lakes Road. Harnett County Sheriff's Office and Lee County Sheriff's Office have multiple officers on the scene conducting an investigation.

On Wednesday, the Lee County Sheriff's Office said it received a missing person's report for Snipes that included information about a stolen 2023 Hyundai Tucson.

Later that day, deputies found the stolen car and chased after it. During the chase, deputies said the driver hit another vehicle at the intersection of Broadway Road and Cox Mill Road and flipped over in the parking lot of Bill's Body Shop. The driver then got out of the car through the sunroof and ran away to a nearby neighborhood.

Deputies were able to detain the driver and two passengers who did not get out of the car. According to officials, 2 juveniles and a 19-year-old were detained.

Investigators said Snipes was not one of the three occupants of the Hyundai Tucson.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, two stolen guns were found in the car. In addition, it's unclear how that vehicle is connected to Snipes' disappearance and subsequent death.

Lee County Sheriff's Office posted the following picture of Snipes, which appears to be from his driver's license: