Police confirm body found on Pulau Tioman is Huntley

The body of a man found in Sungai Mentawak, near the Lagoon Chalet at Kampung Juara, Pulau Tioman, last Wednesday, was confirmed to be that of Gareth David Huntley, 34, who was reported missing at the Lubuk Teja Waterfalls last May 27.

Pahang police chief Datuk Sharifuddin Ab Ghani, in a SMS message to reporters here today, said the confirmation was based on DNA matching by the Chemistry Department in Petaling Jaya.

"After making comparisons on DNA profiles obtained, it was found that Janet Southwell, who donated a blood specimen for DNA analysis, is the biological mother of the dead person.

"This means the body that was found(last Wednesday) is that of Gareth David Huntley," he said.

Sharifuffin, however, did not state the cause of the victim's death.

Huntley, a volunteer at the Kampung Juara Turtle Conservation Centre, was reported missing after going to the waterfalls alone on May 27.

A missing person report on Huntley was lodged on May 29 when he failed to return and a search mounted by colleagues and friend failed to find him.