Harry Greaves: Family pay tribute as body of missing backpacker found in Peru

A body discovered in a remote region of Peru has been identified as that of Briton Harry Greaves. The furniture-maker, from Oswestry, was last seen alive on 7 April and would have turned 29 on 9 April. The alarm was raised by friends when he failed to return from his hike and a search of the mountainous area where he disappeared was mounted.

Earlier, the Lucie Blackman Trust which helps Britons in trouble abroad had reported a sighting of Harry by a local in the area close to the city of Cusco. A spokesman for the Trust said then: "It was a local who came forward to friends over there and said this happened." A fundraising website was set up in a bid to hire drones or helicopters to find him.

So far, a total of £33,361 has been raised. The amount was donated by 961 people in just a matter of three days.

However this evening hopes were dashed when Harry's body was found by police, reportedly at the bottom of a 40-metre crevasse.A Foreign Office spokesman said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm the death of Harry Greaves, who was reported missing in Peru on 14 April. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time and our Embassy staff are continuing to support them."

In a statement the Greaves family said Harry was "one of the most loveliest men you could ever wish to meet" and an "extremely genuine and caring person".

The statement continued: "Our dearest Harry has been found. It is with great sadness that we announce that his smile will no longer give such light, he will no longer give calm through his touch, and wisdom through his words. Thank you to everyone who has helped us find our beloved Harry. His spirit will always be with us. From his loving family."