A body found on a remote beach near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is being DNA tested to confirm whether or not it is missing Australian backpacker Rye Hunt.
The deceased man was found washed ashore by residents on the Guaratiba beach in the district of Marica, 50km from central Rio de Janeiro, early on Wednesday (local time).
"A body was found in Marica," a state police spokesman confirmed.
"It has been sent to experts for analysis, including a DNA comparison, to see if it could be the Australian tourist who has been missing since May 21."
Mr Hunt went missing after he separated from Mitchell Sheppard, whom he was travelling with, following an allegedly drug-fuelled argument.
A 72-hour sea search was later called off by Brazilian authorities after a body was reported floating off the Rio de Janeiro coast, wearing clothes similar to those worn by Mr Hunt when he disappeared.
Marica is renowned for its beautiful beaches but also notorious for its gang violence.
Mr Hunt's uncle, Michael Wholohan, is in Brazil to help in the search and has reportedly given a DNA sample to police for testing purposes.
The Hunt family said they were upset pictures of the body had been published by some media outlets.
Newshub.
