The Maine Warden Service is investigating the death of a man whose body was found today in Moosehead Lake.

The body of 46-year-old Matthew Dubien was found in open water this morning near Hartford's Point. Dubien had been missing since 11:00 Tuesday evening after leaving a local restaurant on his Indy 500 snowmobile. His family notified authorities this morning when they realized he hadn't made it home. An intensive search was launched this morning, using snowmobiles and a Warden Service aircraft.

At around 9:00 this morning, game wardens searched the west shore of Moosehead Lake, near Hartford's Point where they knew there was a break in the ice. Dubien's snowmobile helmet was found at first and soon after, wardens discovered Dubien's body nearby in some open water.

This investigation is continuing to help wardens determine contributing factors that may have played a role in the incident.

The Warden Service cautions that many of Maine's lakes, including Moosehead, now have several open areas of water that just a few weeks ago were covered in ice. Anyone accessing Maine's waterways are urged to be certain of ice conditions, especially at night. In addition, many lakes have formed pressure ridges. With the recent warm temperatures, open water areas have become larger and more prevalent, and will likely worsen with the anticipated heavy snowfall.

This is the state's sixth snowmobiling-related fatality this season.

More From WQCB Brewer Maine