A beloved 31-year-old North Carolina native who recently moved to Redmond was found dead in Perrigo Community Park Saturday afternoon.

The man was identified as Ben May, a native of Davidison, N.C., the Davidson News reported Sunday. May, who had been missing since March 4, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound from a handgun, according to Redmond police.

“This was not criminal-related and nobody’s safety was ever in danger,” said Jim Bove, police spokesperson.

May, a 2001 graduate of Wake Forest University who moved to Redmond two years ago, had been suffering from severe depression and left behind a note, according to Bove.

Bove said Redmond police investigators along with King County Search and Rescue searched the park last week. Friends also searched the large park and finally found May in the wooded area west of the soccer fields at Perrigo Park Saturday afternoon, according to Bove.

On Sunday, friends in Redmond started an informal memorial on a fence at the park where he was found, leaving flowers, notes, candles and photos.

In addition, friends started a Facebook group with hundreds of people posting photos, reminiscences and expressions of support for his family. The Facebook page, titled “In Memoriam of Ben May,” has attracted more than 2,400 followers.

The common theme among the many posts talked about May’s ability to make people laugh and his friendly, joyful smile.

“What a terrible loss,” Chas Petyon wrote in a post. “I’ll never forget Ben’s ability to make us laugh, his guidance and advice throughout my college experience, his passion for debating sports, his friendly smile, and welcoming personality. I wish I’d had a chance to catch up with Ben before he left us. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Friends from as far back as elementary school took time to post their expressions of gratitude.

“Ben and I went to elementary school together way back, third through sixth grade at Davidson Elementary School,” Lee Ramey wrote in a post. “He was an amazing friend back then and just recently about six months ago found him on Facebook and started to talk again. My heart goes out to his family and all his friends.

May moved to Redmond in 2008 and worked as a data management analyst at Starbucks Coffee Co. from March 2008 to June 2009, according to the article by the Davidison News.

“I am at a loss for words,” May’s former co-worker Kandi McAleese wrote in a Facebook post. “In the short time I knew Ben, he always made everyone laugh and lightened the atmosphere. He was such a joy to work with. I will keep his family and friends in my prayers.”

May was the son of Jamie May, a longtime administrator at Davidison College who now lives in Chapel Hill, according to the Davidson News.