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Sea Oaks resident Hope Sheridan, missing for several days, was found dead Monday after her white convertible was discovered in a retention pond in the barrier island community.

Indian River County sheriff's deputies had been searching for Sheridan, 65, when a sheriff's helicopter spotted tire tracks leading into the pond and what appeared to be a vehicle around 1:30 p.m. Monday, according to Detective Joseph Flescher, a spokesman for the department.

There was no sign of foul play and Flescher said officials will rely on the Treasure Coast Medical Examiner's report to determine the cause and time of death.

Flescher said the tracks were not readily visible from ground level. The depth and murkiness of the 15-foot-deep pond evidently prevented residents in nearby condominium buildings from spotting the vehicle earlier, he added.

When Indian River County Fire Department divers arrived at the pond, they found the vehicle, a white Mazda Miata, with Sheridan inside, resting in the deep part of the pond. Evidence technicians were scouring the convertible Monday afternoon as it sat next to the pond, located just inside the back fence of the gated community. By 6 p.m., the vehicle was towed from the scene.

Sheridan was last seen 10 p.m. March 10 at a social gathering in a Sea Oaks residence, Flescher said.

Out-of-state family members contacted the Sheriff's Department Thursday to report that she was missing.