Police in Brazil have confirmed that the body of the British rapper Kenny Mukendi, who has been missing since April 13, has been found.

According to forensic investigators, the body was discovered washed up on the shore on May 5, near Mirante do Rocandor, in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro.

It was close to where he was said to have taken his life, but the result of the DNA test was only released yesterday.

Identification of the body was delayed due to the advanced decomposition of the remains, police said.

According to forensic investigators, the body of Mukendi (pictured) was discovered washed up on the shore on May 5, near Mirante do Rocandor, in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro

It was close to where he was said to have taken his life, but the result of the DNA test was only released yesterday

He arrived in Brazil on 4 December with the hope of launching a music career in Rio and planned to start a new life, according to his 20-year-old Brazilian girlfriend, Renata Lima (pictured), who he had been living with for three months

His family has been informed and are now making arrangements to bring the 22-year-old home.

Initial identification of the corpse had been initially based on forensic evidence which confirmed the height, gender and ethnicity.

However, the musician's family insisted on DNA evidence to confirm it was him before accepting the result.

They have now stated that a further test will be run once the body is in the UK.

Rais Bona Bin Mapianda, 27, cousin of the missing Londoner, said: 'We are aware of the DNA result and understand what it implies. We are in contact with the British authorities and we will get these results verified and retested independently.'

He added the family, who live in Woolwich in London, is distraught at the news and wish to be left alone to grieve in private.

Mukendi leaving his home on the day he went missing. His social media accounts later deactivated

Mukendi's girlfriend sent these (left) anxious messages to him after he disappeared. Right: His belongings

Mukendi's father Ken, who believes his son is alive. He said the family are 'deeply disappointed' the police have called off their search

Confirmation that the corpse was that of the missing man was made using items submitted by the family, which included his razor, toothbrush, cap and underwear.

According to detectives at the missing persons department (DDPA), the rapper, who was also known as Kenny Vulcan, killed himself by throwing himself off a rock into the sea. He was said to have been depressed after leaving London.

He arrived in Brazil on 4 December with the hope of launching a music career in Rio and planned to start a new life, according to his 20-year-old Brazilian girlfriend, Renata Lima, who he had been living with for three months.

He disappeared on 13 April in the afternoon after taking an Uber from a recording studio to the tourist beauty spot. A credit card payment on his account registered the transaction.

His family has been informed and are now making arrangements to bring the 22-year-old home

Shortly after arriving at the location, he mysteriously deactivated all his social media accounts and apparently jumped of the rock into the sea.

Cops carried out extensive air and sea searches and his backpack containing his laptop, passport, bank cards, wallet, pen drives and headphones was found by surfers floating in off the coast and handed in.

The hunt was called off after two weeks, with DDPA chief Ellen Souto concluding the rapper had taken his 'own life by throwing himself into the sea while suffering from depression'.

His family, however, challenged the conclusion and continued to hold out hope he could still be alive, but 'for whatever reason… [didn't] want to be found for now'.

At the time dad Kenny Mukendi said he did not believe his son would take his life and the family was 'deeply disappointed with the result of the investigation by the Brazilian police'.

Relatives continued to search for the missing man and put out posters offering a reward of 1,000 reais (£200) for information about his whereabouts. They even heard from witnesses who claimed to have seen him.

However, Det Souto said: 'This idea of ​​taking his own life had already crossed (Kenny's) mind in London, his girlfriend told us. His father knew this and feared that he would come alone to Brazil, where he could commit this unthinkable act.'

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See samaritans.org for details.