Catholic Priest Eric Freed was found murdered in his California church rectory as police are investigating the disappearance of his missing vehicle.

Rev. Freed was relatively new to the St. Bernard's Catholic Church parish, but he had already made an impact there and throughout the surrounding areas in Eureka, California. Just hours after bringing in the New Year, parishioners were shocked with the news of the death of their beloved priest.

Police have not revealed details about the cause of death, a possible motive, or any suspect in the case but they have launched a thorough homicide investigation.

The body of Priest Freed was found Wednesday morning after he failed to show up for a 9 a.m. New Year's mass. The Priest's body was found in the rectory of St. Bernard's.

Police Chief Andrew Mills said the killing occurred sometime after parishioners left evening services on Tuesday. Local and state authorities are looking for Freed's vehicle, a 2010 Nissan Altima but the police chief said that authorities had no solid leads.

"I want to ensure the residents of Eureka that this does not appear to be a larger situation where people need to be concerned. However, we are expending every resource possible to make sure that this investigation is as thorough as possible," Eureka Police Chief Andrew Mills said.

The St. Bernard Parish website featured a cross and the words, "Rest in Peace," above Freed's name. Just days ago the Priest posted a note of warm holiday wishes to his congregation and added his excitement to be shepherding them.

"I cannot tell you how proud and honored I am to be your pastor," Freed wrote in a letter posted on the parish website. "Our parish is alive, joyful and full of faith, hope and charity that define us as Catholic Christians."

Mayor Frank Jager identified the Reverend as a personal friend and a "tremendous person in the community" since his arrival three years ago.

"This is an absolutely tremendous loss not only for the St. Bernard's Parish, but for our community generally," the mayor said. "For those of us who believe in prayer, this is the time for that."

Professor Stephen Cunha, the chairman of Humboldt University's religious studies department where Freed taught for more than 10 years reports CNN, "He was a really, genuinely warm individual,... Kind is the word that comes to mind, sensitive. To think that he passed in this way: It's just layers of grief and shock."

"This was not some stuffy clergyman. He was very much someone that you could sit down and speak with. He connected with everybody."