The news was oficially confirmed this morning and comes after reports that a body was found on Wednesday near Brighton train station.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said Friday morning: “We can confirm that the body found on the line close to Brighton railway station on Wednesday, 22 July, has been formally identified as Diogo Manuel Martins-Alves-Moreira.

“The 29-year-old student lived locally but was originally from Portugal and had been reported missing to Sussex Police."

Friends and family had apparently already confirmed the body as being that of 29-year-old Diogo with a posting on Thursday on a facebook page set up to help find him.


However, at the time the body had yet to be formally identified and was found in an advanced state of decomposition.

Posting on the page, which was joined by almost 15,000 people, the message read: “The family of Diogo Moreira would like to thank everyone for their hard work to Find Diogo.

“His body was found yesterday (Wednesday) in Brighton.

“Diogo was a very well known and loved man.

“A memorial walk will be organised for next week to celebrate the life of this wonderful person.”

Sussex police launched an appeal earlier this week to find Diogo Moreira, a student at the University of Brighton, who had not been seen since Tuesday 14 July and was reported missing two days later.

The 29-year-old’s disappearance was said to be “completely out of character”.

He is understood to have left behind all of his belongings, including his wallet with all its contents, and did not turn up for work.

Diogo, originally from Espinho, was last seen in the early hours of Tuesday morning leaving a friend's house near to Brighton railway station.

His death is being described as "unexplained"; an investigation is ongoing.