Police believe the remains belong to French backpacker Erwan Ferrieux who went missing with his British friend Hugo Palmer
Bones found in waters off an Australian beach are believed to be the remains of French backpacker Erwan Ferrieux who vanished five months ago, police have said.
In February, police launched a search for Erwan, 20, and his Brit friend Hugo Palmer, also 20, after items belonging to the pair were discovered at Shelly Beach, on the New South Wales coast north of Sydney.
Two walkers stumbled across towels and clothing on the beach early in the morning, which led police to a car parked nearby.
Personal items the men were unlikely to abandon, including passports, keys and wallets, were found inside the vehicle, sparking concerns.
Several bones were then found off a nearby beach last month and police say testing has now confirmed their worst fears.
“We believe from the DNA comparisons that they belong to Erwan Ferrieux,” Superintendent Paul Fehon told reporters in Port Macquarie.
He said another bone was found on Sunday and that it had also been sent for forensic analysis to determine whether it was from either of the missing backpackers.
“This bone is from another part of the anatomy,” Mr Fehon said.
Social media posts showed the two men traveled to Australia in November, spending time in Melbourne and Sydney before travelling north.
Hugo’s mum previously said she felt “completely numb” after she visited the beach where her son was last seen.
Tanya McNab flew to Australia to join a vigil at Shelly Beach, on the New South Wales coast near Sydney,
Speaking at the beachside vigil, Tanya said her son had been living his dream by visiting Australia, but it had “only just started”.
“I’m feeling numb – completely numb. I have been since I heard the news,” she said.
She said the support from friends and family had been vital since she heard the dreadful news.
“It’s a comfort to me, the messages from his friends and the support here has helped.
“They said they’d been honoured to have him in their lives.”
