Rye Hunt.
By Francesca Wallace Missing Australian confirmed dead in Rio The family of Australian traveller Rye Hunt have spoken out following the discovery of his body in Rio de Janeiro. 
Mr Hunt's sister Romany Brodribb said the family were "understandably heartbroken" over the loss of the 25-year-old backpacker.
"Rye was the youngest member of our family and was known for being loyal, loving, generous, cheeky, and as a brother, totally infuriating," she said.
"Thinking about life without him is unfathomable. He will be very missed by usall."
Mr Hunt's girlfriend, Bonnie Cuthbert, who travelled to Brazil to help authorities with their search, said she felt "blessed" to have had Mr Hunt in her life.
"I feel so blessed to have shared the last five years with my beautiful 'Big Bear'. We have been so lucky to have found and loved each other so deeply. The love Rye and I shared will remain within both of us, forever," she said.
On Saturday, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop confirmed Mr Hunt's body had been found in Brazil.
"I can confirm that Brazilian authorities have informed us that the body that was discovered recently near Rio de Janeiro is in fact that of Australian citizen Rye Duval Hunt," Ms Bishop told ABC News.
A body, believed to be Mr Hunt's, was discovered on Thursday on a remote beach. The 25-year-old from Tasmania went missing on   May 21 after a night out in Rio while he was allegedly under the influence of a "powerful hallucinogenic drug".
Brazilian media reported that residents found a body washed ashore on the idyllic Guaratiba beach, 50 kilometres from Rio, early on Wednesday, local time.