Suffolk police discovered a body in a cesspool behind a Mastic Beach home and say it may help them figure out what happened to a man who's been missing for more than a year.

The discovery was made at the home of Nicolo Caietta, 59, who police say was reported missing in May 2006. Neighbors say Caietta was a landscaper in Blue Point.

Police say they first searched the premises in Sept. 2006, but found nothing. Acting on new information, police returned to the scene over the weekend.

Det. Lt. Jack Fitzpatrick of the Suffolk Police Department says because the house was vacant, the water level in the cesspool was low, which eased the discovery of the body. Authorities have yet to identity the body as Caietta, but suspect foul play because the cesspool cover was put back on and the dirt above it was replaced.

Neighbors say they thought something bad had happened to Caietta when he disappeared last year. They say he never would have voluntarily left his pet parrot.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the identity of the body.

Police have arrested 38-year-old Jaime Rosario of Center Moriches in Caietta?s death. Rosario is charged with second-degree murder.