Tom Billings’ body has been found (Picture: AP Photo/Vancouver Police Dept)

The body of a British backpacker who went missing more than two years ago has been found.

Tom Billings, 22, was last seen in Vancouver, Canada, in November 2013.

Despite large-scale searches and emotional appeals for information, police had no clue about Mr Billings’ whereabouts until last month, when his remains were found on Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver.

His identity was confirmed through DNA testing, it was announced yesterday.


Mr Billings, from Oxford, was on an eight week trip to North America when he died.

Remains of missing tourist Tom Billings found on Cypress Mountain https://t.co/3hoHlvhWXi. Family asks for privacy. pic.twitter.com/skSaOqnEaA — Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) May 27, 2016

Canadian Police said foul play is not suspected, and a coroner’s investigation has been launched into the death.



A statement released by Mr Billings’ family, reported by CBS, states: ‘The family wants to thank the general public for the support and assistance in the search to find their son Tom over the last two-and-a-half years.

‘The family specifically wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the members of the North Shore Search and Rescue team and the helicopter pilots of Talon Aviation, the staff and members of the British consulate in Vancouver for all their continued support, and finally to the VPD in general and the Missing Persons Unit in particular for their continued and persistent work to find their son Tom.’

He had been set to start postgraduate research on his return to the UK.

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