DNA tests confirmed the body found in the Malaysian jungle was of Gareth Huntley. Photo: Facebook

A body found in the Malaysian jungle has been confirmed by DNA tests today to be that of missing British backpacker Gareth Huntley.

Mr Huntley, of Hackney in East London, has not been seen since going trekking on Tioman Island Tuesday 27 May.

On Monday 2 June, Mr Huntley’s mother Janet Southwell and brother Mark arrived in Malaysia. Huntley’s mother submitted her DNA sample to Malaysian authorities for comparison. After several days’ wait, the body found has been confirmed as 34-year-old Mr Huntley.

Earlier, Mr Huntley’s younger brother said the family was keeping positive in their search, but at around 1.30pm on Wednesday 28 May, the body was found in a river. According to local reports, more than 100 people took part in the search.

A family spokesman said: “No words can describe the void he will leave” and thanked “everyone who came together in the last week to do everything in their power to help find Gareth”.

A spokeswoman from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said: “The Foreign Office will remain in close contact with the Malaysian authorities and our staff continue to support Gareth’s family at this tragic time.”