(CNN) -- The U.S. Embassy' s top military official in Cyprus has been found dead in a wooded area north of Nicosia, the island' s capital, an embassy official said Monday.

The senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told CNN that police had located the body of Lt. Col. Thomas Mooney, the embassy' s military attache, in the Lefka region, but refused to elaborate.

" We are waiting for additional information before making any official announcement," the official said.

Mooney, 45, disappeared on Thursday after leaving the embassy to return to his residence.

The embassy had posted photos of Mooney and his car on its Web site, urging anyone with information to contact local authorities.