Family awaits river body release

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7540274.stm

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A body found in a river in Melbourne, Australia, is believed to be that of the missing County Armagh man, Stephen King.

The body was found shortly before before midday on Saturday.

Wayne Wilson, from Victoria Police, said it would be several days before they can formally identify the body.

"Although relatives have seen the body and believe it is him, we have specific rules and regulations in relation to the coroner's act," Mr Wilson said.

"Under those circumstances, till that identification is complete, the results of the autopsy won't be given out," he said.

Mr King's family said they expected his remains to be released by the coroner later this week.

Mr King, from Keady, went missing two weeks ago after a night out with friends. He intended to spend a year in Australia on a working holiday.

His brothers arrived in Melbourne last week to help with the search. He arrived in Australia three weeks ago for a year-long working holiday.

Mr King, a tiler and bricklayer, was last seen with a group of friends in a bar on 19 July.

It is understood that he left his friends in the pub in Southbank to go to a casino, but there is no evidence that he entered the premises.

Australian police said they could not formally identify the remains until DNA tests were completed.

However, the King family in a statement said they were devastated by news of his death and paid tribute to his friends and "the wider Irish community in Melbourne for their tireless efforts during the past two weeks".

The family said they would like to acknowledge and thank the people of Keady and beyond who had supported them and continued to support them "during this very difficult time".