The suspected gunman who killed 18 people in the US state of Maine has been found dead.

A 48-hour manhunt was launched for Robert Card, 40, after a shooting at the Just-In-Time bowling alley and Schemengees Bar and Grille in Lewiston on Wednesday night.

Among those who were killed included Joshua Seal, a father-of-four, who was described by his wife as the “world’s best father”, and Bill and Aaron Young, a father and his 14-year-old son.

A further 13 people were injured.

The Androscoggin County sheriff’s office confirmed Card’s death in a post on social media, saying the suspect in the shootings “has been located and is deceased”.

It is believed Card died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a law enforcement official said.

Officials said a note addressed to his son was found at a home associated with the suspect on Thursday. Card’s mobile phone and a gun were also found in a white Subaru that was identified as belonging to him.

The search for the former army reservist spread across multiple locations in the state and involved at least 80 FBI agents and Coast Guard personnel.

On Friday, public safety commissioner Mike Sauschuck said divers would be sent to part of the Androscoggin River, near where the Subaru was found, as well as air searches of the Lisbon boat launch area.

Card was considered “armed and dangerous” with police advising the public not to approach him “under any circumstances”.

Authorities lifted a shelter in place order which had been in place for people living in the area on Friday evening.