Bones of French backpacker Erwan Ferrieux wash up in Port Macquarie

Missing 21-year-old French backpacker’s bones wash up on a New South Wales beach four months after he vanished with his British mate

  • Erwan Ferrieux and British mate Hugo Palmer, both 20, went missing in February
  • Police feared they drowned in Port Macquarie after their belongings were found 
  • Last month two human bones washed up in beaches near where boys vanished
  • Forensic testing today revealed they are most likely Mr Ferrieux’s bones

The bones of a French backpacker missing since February have washed up on a beach in New South Wales.  

Erwan Ferrieux and his British friend Hugo Palmer, both 20, were reported missing during their holiday of a lifetime.

Police feared they had drowned in Port Macquarie after their belongings were found in the sand on Shelly Beach.

Last month two human bones washed up – and forensic testing today revealed they are most likely Mr Ferrieux’s. 

None of Mr Palmer’s remains have been found.  

The bones of French backpacker (right) who has been missing since February have washed up on a beach in New South Wales

Police feared they had drowned in Port Macquarie after their belongings were found in the sand on Shelly Beach (pictured)

Police feared they had drowned in Port Macquarie after their belongings were found in the sand on Shelly Beach (pictured)

A New South Wales Police spokesman said: ‘Forensic testing has confirmed the bones are human and belong to one person.

‘The remains are believed to be that of 20-year-old Erwan Ferrieux, who has been missing since February 2019 – but they will require further examination to confirm this’.

Police said another bone washed up in the same area on Sunday and this will also be sent for forensic testing.   

In February a memorial was held at the beach where the boys went missing. 

Mr Palmer’s mother Tanya McNab travelled from the United Kingdom earlier to hear updates from NSW Police directly.

She said she has felt ‘numb’ since she learned her son was missing.

Her and her sister made the difficult journey together, deliberately driving for four hours up the coast so she could see the trip from Hugo’s perspective.

Ms McNab said it was her son’s dream to travel Australia.

Last month two human bones washed up - and forensic testing today revealed they are most likely Mr Ferrieux's (centre with friends Hugo Palmer and Caraa Blackburn)

Last month two human bones washed up – and forensic testing today revealed they are most likely Mr Ferrieux’s (centre with friends Hugo Palmer and Caraa Blackburn) 

Caraa Blackburn (left) and Emily Powell (centre) were supposed to meet up with Hugo Palmer and Erwan Ferrieux, both 20, for the trip of a lifetime later this week

Caraa Blackburn (left) and Emily Powell (centre) were supposed to meet up with Hugo Palmer and Erwan Ferrieux, both 20, for the trip of a lifetime later this week

Police said another bone washed up in the same area on Sunday and this will also be sent for forensic testing. Pictured: Hugo Palmer (right) and Erwan Ferrieux (left)

Police said another bone washed up in the same area on Sunday and this will also be sent for forensic testing. Pictured: Hugo Palmer (right) and Erwan Ferrieux (left)

‘I’m so incredibly proud of him. I love him so much,’ she told the ABC . 

Dozens flocked to Shelly Beach to pay their respects, crowding around flowers placed near the duo’s belongings. 

The young men arrived in Australia last November with a pair of girls, Caraa Blackburn and Emily Powel, who left their separate travels to help in the desperate search. 

Police said the British girls were in Sydney when the men went missing, but almost immediately drove to Port Macquarie to help. 

Ms Blackburn penned a social media post on Wednesday begging for information on her friends’ whereabouts.

The boys' friend Ms Blackburn shared a heartbreaking picture of the ocean off Shelly Beach with the caption 'give us back our boys, you monster'

The boys’ friend Ms Blackburn shared a heartbreaking picture of the ocean off Shelly Beach with the caption ‘give us back our boys, you monster’

In earlier posts, Ms Blackburn's Instagram (above) featured her taking a swim on a Sydney beach with Mr Ferrieux on Christmas Day

In earlier posts, Ms Blackburn’s Instagram (above) featured her taking a swim on a Sydney beach with Mr Ferrieux on Christmas Day

She shared a heartbreaking picture of the ocean off Port Macquarie’s Shelly Beach with the caption ‘give us our boys back you monster’. 

In earlier posts, Ms Blackburn’s Instagram featured her and her friend taking in the sights of Sydney and Melbourne as well as going for a swim on a Sydney beach with Mr Palmer on Christmas Day.

Mr Palmer spoke of his excitement as he set off to travel around Australia with his three great friends.

‘The day is finally here that I’ll be travelling to the other side of the world with my amazing friends,’ he wrote on the day he departed Britain, before tagging the trio. 

‘Can’t wait to make some great memories and I couldn’t do it without you guys.’ 

Police said Mr Palmer and Mr Ferrieux had most likely drowned due to the conditions.

Police said Mr Palmer and Mr Ferrieux (pictured) had most likely drowned due to the conditions

Police said Mr Palmer and Mr Ferrieux (pictured) had most likely drowned due to the conditions

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk