Nearly five months since French backpacker Erwan Ferrieux was last seen on the NSW mid-north coast, police believe they have found his bones on two beaches.
Mr Ferrieux, 21, and British tourist Hugo Palmer, 20, have not been seen since passers-by discovered their belongings at Shelly Beach near Port Macquarie in February.
Their rental car was found in a nearby car park, with other belongings - including travel documents - still inside.
Police believed the pair may have drowned.
A ground and water search involving police divers, Marine Rescue and SES failed to find them.
A human bone was found in the water at nearby Flynns Beach on June 15 and two days later another two bones were found in the water at nearby Flat Rock.
DNA testing indicated the three bones belonged to Mr Ferrieux and were matched against DNA found in the backpackers' vehicle, police said on Monday.
"DNA comparison of the three bones located in June have confirmed that they did come from the same male person," Superintendent Paul Fehon told reporters in Port Macquarie on Monday.
"We believe from the DNA comparisons that it belongs to Erwan Ferrieux."
Police are investigating if a small human bone found by passers-by on Sunday afternoon at Flynns Beach also belongs to Mr Ferrieux. It will be subject to forensic analysis which could take several weeks.
Supt Fehon said the bone was found at the northern end of Flynns Beach, whereas the others were found on the southerly end.
The bone is from a different part of the anatomy, he added.
Following the discovery, police and State Emergency Service officers will search the area and surrounding beaches on Monday at low tide.
Mr Palmer and Mr Ferrieux have been close friends for years, according to their Facebook pages.
They both appear to have attended Sackville School, south of London.
The discovery comes as police continue to investigate what happened to Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez who disappeared without a trace some 315 kilometres away in Byron Bay on May 31.
The 18-year-old traveller was last seen on CCTV walking through the popular seaside NSW town after leaving the Cheeky Monkey's bar about 11pm.
His belongings, including his passport, were also left untouched at the Wake Up hostel in Byron Bay.
Police spent nearly a month searching for Mr Hayez but failed to find him.
Australian Associated Press
