UNITED NATIONS, Dec 2: A United Nations security guard was found dead on Monday, with a gunshot wound to the head, in an empty lounge at the world body’s headquarters here, UN officials said.

The body of Senior Security Officer Michael Halton, 41, was discovered by two other security guards shortly before noon when a search was begun after he failed to report back to his post following his regular break, Security Chief Michael McCann said at a press briefing.

Mr Halton was found seated in a lounge on the third floor of the General Assembly building with a gunshot wound to his head, Mr McCann said, adding that a 9-mm handgun was found next to him on the chair. No suicide not was found with him.

Mr McCann said that the New York police and FBI investigators are looking into the incident.

The first ever death of a UN officer in the headquarters building sent shivers down the UN headquarters which is already under tight security following attacks on UN headquarters in Iraq.