The body of missing Virgin flight steward Benjamin Roper has been found in the basement of his Randwick home five days after he was last seen alive.



Police said the discovery of the 32-year-old on Thursday afternoon followed an extensive search. His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will now be prepared for the coroner.



Grave fears had been held for Mr Roper who was last seen by family when he left his Prince Street home about 7pm on January 26 without taking his mobile phone, car or other belongings.



His mother, Michele Pippen, flew to Australia from her home in Malaysia on Tuesday to help search for her son.



A family friend said Ms Pippen was too devastated to speak about the loss of her "wonderfully loved" son. The friend said Mr Roper's family had been overwhelmed by the support shown by Mr Roper's friends and the public in the days since he went missing.

The family did not wish to comment about the fact Mr Roper was discovered in his home five days after he went missing but said this discovery of his body by police had now brought some closure.

Found dead ... Benjamin Roper. Credit:NSW Police Media Unit

"He's found and now we know what's happened," the family friend said. "We now know we have lost him. That is tragic for such a wonderful and so much loved young man."



His disappearance, and an appeal to help find him, was spread quickly through a social media campaign that included comedian Julia Morris, who described Mr Roper as a family friend.



Professional ironwoman Candice Falzon also tweeted a photograph of Ben with the message: "Please retweet in the hope of finding Ben. He has been missing since Saturday. Thanks."



Ms Pippen had said she hoped that her son had taken himself away for some time alone, although he had never previously done that.



Ms Pippen said her son, who was openly gay, also had received a lot of support from the gay community in the search to find him.



In recent times, Ms Pippen said her son had reported receiving some taunting text messages from an unknown person. Mr Roper's sister Rachel is flying back to Australia from Spain, where she has been working.



Earlier this week, Detective Inspector Rohan Cramsie, from the Eastern Beaches local area command, said there had been no trace of Mr Roper since he left his home, which he grew up in, on Australia Day.



"He has really just disappeared off the face of the earth, so it makes it very hard to narrow down a particular area to search for him," he said.



Police and Mr Roper's family said they wanted to thank the public for their assistance.



* Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by calling Lifeline 131 114, Mensline 1300 789 978, Kids Helpline 1800 551 800