Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has confirmed a body found in Brazil has been identified as missing Tasmanian man Rye Hunt.

“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,” she said.

“The Australian consular service has been working closely with the Brazilian authorities.”

She said Mr Hunt’s family members had been informed.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family,” she said.

“We will continue to work with the family, providing whatever support we can within our consular responsibilities, and we’ll continue to work with the Brazilian authorities to determine how this death came about.”

Mr Hunt, 25, went missing on May 21 after leaving a friend at the Rio de Janeiro Airport.

Authorities discovered the remains Mr Hunt on a beach in Marica, about 25-kilometres from Rio, on Thursday.

Mr Hunt’s family released a statement saying clinical testing had confirmed the identity of the body.

His sister Romany Brodribb said the family were “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,” she said.

“Thinking about life without him is unfathomable. He will be very missed by us all.”

– TiVi Tuan-san