Remains presumed to be those of Russel Rebello found on eighth deck of liner, says consortium breaking the ship in Genoa

Workers breaking the Costa Concordia have found what is thought to be the body of the last of the dead – more than two years and nine months after the Italian liner hit a rock and capsized off the Mediterranean island of Giglio.

Russel Rebello, an Indian waiter, is the last person still missing from the disaster on 13 January 2012. Thirty one others are known to have died during or after the chaotic evacuation of the vessel.

A spokeswoman for Ship Recycling, the consortium breaking the ship at a yard in Genoa, told the Guardian that on Monday morning “human remains were found that are presumed to be those of Mr Rebello”. She said the remains were discovered in a cabin on the eighth deck of the giant liner. “All work on the ship came to a halt and the authorities are now carrying the necessary procedures.”

In message posted on Facebook, the dead man’s brother, Kevin, wrote: “I don’t have words to express. Just my pain, my tears, my heart pounding harder and my body trembling when I broke the news to my parents a while ago … Thanks to everyone who prayed and believed that one day he would be found.”

Kevin Rebello, who lives in Milan, added: “Now we wait for the DNA test and the procedures to give Russel his final resting place with honour, respect and a hero’s welcome. India we are coming.”

It had been hoped the missing waiter’s body would come to light in July when the liner was pulled away from the shore in preparation for its journey to Genoa. But a search of the waters in which the vessel had been lying on its side drew a blank.

Ship Recycling’s spokeswoman said she could not confirm a report that the body was found hidden below a pile of furniture.