Gareth Huntley: police confirm his body found in Malaysia

The body was found in a pond yards away from a kayak storage shed at the Juara Turtle Project where Mr Huntley had been working as a volunteer.

It was discovered by a search team who were returning from looking from Mr Huntley, behind a row of cabins used by rescue teams during the search.

The cause of death has not yet been established.

Datuk Sharifuddin Ab Ghani, Pahang state police chief senior deputy commissioner, 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.

Mr Huntley, 34, was volunteering at the Juara Turtle Project while on a sabbatical from his job in the City.

His family mounted a high-profile campaign to intensify the search for him after he went missing, and initially criticised efforts made by the Malaysian authorities.

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.”

Mr Huntley’s family said “no words can describe the void he will leave” as they thanked “everyone who came together in the last week to do everything in their power to help find Gareth”.