Friends and family are mourning the death of Poshik Sharma after his body was found in Marysville in regional Victoria this morning about 11am.
The 21-year-old Indian man was reported missing since Thursday.
Mr Sharma came to Australia about 18 months ago as an international student.
Friends and family remembered him as "a free spirit" who had dreams of building a better life in Australia.
Harjot Singh, a photographer and a video director by profession had a close association with Mr Sharma over the last one year.
“He was a budding young model who had ambitions to make a mark in the Punjabi music industry,” he said. “I knew him ever since he first joined our team to give us a helping hand in our music video shoots.”
“We are saddened by this tragic loss. It is a difficult time for us to believe that he is no more. May he rest in peace.”
Mr Singh remembered Mr Sharma as a “noble and innocent young man who lived like a free spirit”.
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“He came to Australia for a better future. His wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts. I extend my deepest sympathies to the family,” he said.
“I was with Poshik’s brother-in-law Shavinder Teona earlier today who was quite optimistic after the search operations resumed in the morning today. He and his wife Samta Sharma are extremely heartbroken after hearing this news.”
Mr Sharma’s family were hopeful of his safe turn until the very last moment of the search operation.
“It's not something we expected to have happened and it is certainly devastating for all the family members who were very hopeful,” Insp David Ryan told media today.
“The search operation is closed now and unfortunately Poshik has been found deceased just on the outskirts of Marysville that happened about just after 10:30 this morning.
Police told media that at least 90 people assisted in the search operations.
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“It's devastating for the search teams who had put a lot of effort into trying to have a positive outcome. There was always hope that we would find him,” said Insp David Ryan.
Police earlier said the 21-year-old Poshik Sharma was reported missing after he left a Marysville pub about 4.30pm last Thursday.
The death is not being treated as suspicious and police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
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