This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jun/07/gareth-huntley-body-identified-malaysia

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Gareth Huntley's body identified in Malaysia after DNA test Gareth Huntley's body identified in Malaysia after DNA test
(35 minutes later)
A body found in the Malaysian jungle is that of missing British backpacker Gareth Huntley, police have said. The family of British backpacker Gareth Huntley, who was found dead in the Malaysian jungle, said "no words can describe the void he will leave" and they were "deeply touched" by the efforts to find him.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed the identification of Huntley, who disappeared on 27 May when he went on a trek to a waterfall on Tioman Island, off the south-eastern coast of the mainland. Huntley, 34, disappeared on 27 May, when he went on a trek to a waterfall on Tioman Island, off the south-eastern coast of the country's mainland.
The 34-year-old was on a sabbatical from his job in the City of London. His body was found by rescuers close to where he was living on Wednesday. A body found on Wednesday, close to where he was living, has been confirmed to be that of Huntley, the Foreign Office said on Saturday.
His mother, Janet Southwell, had given blood to hospital staff so they could carry out a DNA comparison. In a statement, Huntley's family said: "We would like to thank everyone who came together in the last week to do everything in their power to help find Gareth. You have been extraordinary and we are deeply touched and deeply grateful.
The Foreign Office said: "Malaysian police have now confirmed that the body found on Tioman Island is Gareth Huntley. "There are no words that can capture the devastation we feel right now; no words that can capture the kindness, warmth and spirit that Gareth exuded; no words can describe the void he will leave in all of the lives he touched.
"Gareth lived every minute of his life as fully as he could; never without a smile and always with others in his heart. You will never leave our hearts Gareth."
A spokesman for Huntley's family said: "It is with deep regret that we can confirm that Gareth has died. We would kindly ask that the media respects the privacy of the family at this extremely difficult time."
Huntley's mother, Janet Southwell, had given blood to hospital staff for a DNA comparison following the discovery of the body.
It was found in a pond just yards from a kayak storage shed at the Juara Turtle Project where Huntley had been volunteering.
The body was discovered behind a row of cabins used by rescue teams during the search.
It is understood the cause of death has not yet been established.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Malaysian police have now confirmed that the body found on Tioman Island is Gareth Huntley.
"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.""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."
The body was found in a pond yards from a kayak storage shed at the Juara Turtle Project where Mr Huntley had been volunteering. It was discovered behind a row of cabins used by rescue teams during the search. The Pahang state police chief senior deputy commissioner, Datuk Sharifuddin Ab Ghani, said earlier this week that the body was decomposing and was found clothed in shorts, socks and shoes, but with no shirt.
The cause of death has not yet been established.
Pahang state police chief senior deputy commissioner Datuk Sharifuddin Ab Ghani said earlier this week that the body was decomposing and was found clothed in shorts, socks and shoes, but with no shirt.
An iPhone was also found nearby but there was no sign of any personal documentation.An iPhone was also found nearby but there was no sign of any personal documentation.
Huntley was originally from the Leeds-Bradford area but lived in Hackney, east London. His family mounted a high-profile campaign to intensify a search for him after he failed to return from his trek. Huntley, of Hackney, east London, who is originally from the Leeds-Bradford border, was on a sabbatical from his job in the City.
His mother arrived in Malaysia on Monday after Prime Minister David Cameron spoke to Malaysia's prime minister, Najib Razak, about the search effort. His family mounted a high-profile campaign to intensify a search for him after he failed to return from his trek.
More than 100 people were involved in the search until the body was found. Southwell arrived in Malaysia on Monday after the prime minister, David Cameron, spoke to his Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak, about the search effort, which involved More than 100 people.