Police have charged three 17-year-old boys with murder following the death of a Canberra man on the New South Wales South Coast earlier this month.

Key points: 56-year-old Peter Keeley's body was found in bushland on the NSW South Coast

56-year-old Peter Keeley's body was found in bushland on the NSW South Coast Three 17-year-old boys were arrested in the Broulee region and have been charged with Mr Keeley's murder

Three 17-year-old boys were arrested in the Broulee region and have been charged with Mr Keeley's murder Police are still considering the motive, including whether it was a gay hate crime

The body of 56-year-old Peter Keeley, who police say met one of the teens on the dating app Grindr, was found in bushland at Broulee on the afternoon of February 2.

An autopsy found he had suffered head and facial injuries, though the findings were inconclusive.

On Thursday morning police arrested two 17-year-old boys at homes in the Broulee area, and arrested another 17-year-old in the afternoon.

All were taken to Batemans Bay Police Station and all three have now been charged with murder.

During searches of their homes, officers seized mobile phones, laptops and other electronic equipment.

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said one of the boys allegedly spoke with Mr Keeley through Grindr.

"One of the lines of inquiry was the method of communication used by the victim … there were a number of dating apps that were used, and one of those apps was Grindr," Superintendent Doherty said.

"That appears to be the method of communication that links him to one of the teenagers."

Asked whether police would allege the murder was a gay hate crime, Superintendent Doherty said there were a number of motives that might be brought before the court.

"Whether that happens to be one of the motives we're still unclear on," he said.

"We also have to look at other considerations, such as whether there was any drug-related information, whether it was robbery-related, or whether it was some type of hate crime."

In a statement, Mr Keeley's family said they were still coming to terms with his death.

"All that can be said is we have been deeply affected by this tragedy and we are still grieving," the statement read.

"Our family is devastated."

Superintendent Doherty said the boys were not previously known to police.

Two of the teenagers appeared before the Batemans Bay local court on Thursday, where they were denied bail.

The third boy faced court on Friday and was also denied bail.