Human remains found on a beach near Newcastle have been identified as a man reported missing last year.
On Monday, August 26, a fisherman found a bone on the shoreline of Stockton Beach, not far from the old rifle range near Fern Bay.
He took the bone to Waratah police station. Following forensic testing, the remains were identified as the 20-year-old man reported missing in late 2023.
The man, who is from Sydney, was caught in a rip with five other people near the four-wheel-drive beach entry point off Lavis Lane at Williamtown on November 26.
Although four managed to make it back to shore, the missing man was last seen becoming submerged in water about 200 metres offshore.
Police raised the alarm with surf lifesavers at Stockton and Birubi after calls for help came in.
Multiple agencies searched for the man from the sea and sky for three days, but were unable to locate him.
Police said the death was not suspicious and a report would be prepared for the information of the coroner.
