How do I return NotFound() IHttpActionResult with an error message or exception?

Question

I am returning a NotFound IHttpActionResult, when something is not found in my WebApi GET action. Along with this response, I want to send a custom message and/

Answer 1

Iknow PO asked with a message text, but another option to just return a 404 is making the method return a IHttpActionResult and use the StatusCode function

    public async Task Get([FromUri]string id)
    {
       var item = await _service.GetItem(id);
       if(item == null)
       {
           StatusCode(HttpStatusCode.NotFound);
       }
       return Ok(item);
    }