Rye Hunt disappearance: Tests confirm body found on Rio beach is missing Australian

Monday, 13 of Jun 2016
By Bruna Corralo 

 The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, confirmed on Saturday (11) that the body found in Guaratiba Beach in Marica, in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday (8), is the Australian Rye Hunt, who was missing since May 21.

The identification was confirmed by Brazilian authorities and his family was notified. According to information from Sky News network, the minister also said that they will work with the Brazilian authorities to determine how the death occurred and the Australian government will give all necessary support to the family.

After the report, the family posted a statement on the Facebook page "Find Rye Hunt" created during searches. In the text they said they are "heartbroken" after his body was found on a Brazilian beach, they also thanked the support of friends and Brazilian and Australian authorities. The sister of the guy, Romany Brodribb, said:

"We are understandably heartbroken. Rye was the youngest member of our family and was known for being loyal, loving, generous, cheeky, and as a brother, totally infuriating.”

Mr Hunt's partner Bonnie Cuthbert, who travelled to Brazil to help with the search, is also desolated. "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.

Australian Embassy officials are working with the family in Rio to return Mr Hunt's body to Australia.