Human remains found in southwestern Western Australia have been identified as a man missing for two years

Police have identified human remains found in dense bushland as a man who has been missing for nearly two years.

The remains of a man have been found in dense bushland nearly two years after he went missing.

Western Australia Police have identified the remains found in a search of the state forest near Nannaup, in the state’s southwest, are those of Corey O’Connell.

Mr O’Connell was last seen on the Brockman Highway, near Jalbarragup, on June 24, 2021.

A search of the state forest near Nannup found human remains on May 15 this year. DNA analysis confirmed they belonged to 26-year-old Mr O’Connell.

His family, who have been searching for the past two years, have released a statement, expressing their sadness, but relief Mr O’Connell had been found.

“For us, this news is still extremely raw, so we appreciate your continued compassion as we move through this next chapter,” the statement said.

Corey O'Connell, with his sister Haylee, who didn't give up the search after he went missing two years ago. Supplied/Haylee O'Connell.

“The love and support you have shown to Corey and our family over the past nearly two years is what kept us going — it gave us the strength we needed to co-ordinate all the searches we did — and we will never be able to thank you enough.”

The family said their grief is “palpable”, but “we recognise that were are fortunate to have had a resolution”.

“Many families of long-term missing people are still awaiting theirs — please continue to give your love and support to them,” they said.

“When all you have is hope, kindness from strangers means more than you know.”

Drone photos had helped locate the remains after Mr O’Connell’s sister Haylee engaged a drone operator to look over the inaccessible dense bushland, according to The Sunday Times

Police from the Missing Persons Unit, Emergency Operations Unit, South West District and forensic officers have returned to the location.

A search is underway over an expanded area in an effort to locate further remains.

Originally published as Human remains found in southwestern Western Australia have been identified as a man missing for two years