A man suspected of killing 18 people in a shooting in Maine has been found dead after a three-day manhunt, police say.

“The suspect in Wednesday night’s shootings has been located and is deceased,” the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook.

The news comes hours after police lifted a shelter in place order for the normally quiet community.

Among the dead are a grandfather, a talented young bowler, and four deaf locals, ranging in age from 14 to 76.

It is unclear where the body of Robert Card, 40, was found or how he died.

At a news conference at Lewiston City Hall, Maine Governor Janet Mills said the body was found in Lisbon, nearby where the shooting occurred.

“I’m breathing a sigh of relief tonight knowing that Robert Card will not be a threat to anyone,” she said.

Police earlier on Friday released the names of all the 18 victims.

The suspect’s sister-in-law had told NBC that the family is “doing everything we can to help law enforcement”.

“Our hearts are broken” said Katie Card, who is married to the gunman’s brother.

Officials had told US media that a note had been found at a property linked to the suspect.Two unnamed law enforcement officials told the Associated Press it was a suicide note that did not provide any specific motive for the shooting. It was addressed to his son.

The suspect’s mobile phone was also discovered at the property.

The attack happened at a local bar and a bowling alley in the small town of Lewiston.

Police responded to reports of shooting at two locations, a restaurant called Schemengees, and Just-In-Time Recreation, a bowling alley, which are about four miles (6.5km) apart.

Seven people were killed at the bowling alley, eight at Schemengees Bar and Grille, and three were pronounced dead at local hospitals.

Maine Senator Susan Collins said the state now “can breathe a collective sigh of relief thanks to the brave first responders who worked night and day to find this killer”.

She added that President Joe Biden had called her earlier on Friday to tell her that the suspect had died.

On Friday night, before the news that Card had been found, members of the local deaf community, who were deeply affected by the tragedy, gathered over Zoom for a virtual vigil.

Nearly 100 deaf and hard of hearing people from across the country joined.

“There are no words or signs to express what we are all experiencing,” said moderator Terry Morrell, opening the event.

“We lost four beloved deaf people”, he said, with two other deaf people injured.

“We are all grieving, we are all in shock, we’re angry, we’re numb,” he said.