Niumataevalu Talanoa Lelei (47), from the village of Malapo was the man whose skeletal remains were discovered at a remote bush area of Veitongo, on the southern coast of central Tongatapu in June 25.

The Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Unga Fa’aoa said DNA test results from New Zealand last week confirmed the identity after a sample sent matched that of a close relative.

"We had information at the time that suggested that he might be the person, and the test results has proven it 100 percent right," he said.

A report from a forensic pathologist who examined the remains, determined that there was no evidence of foul play over the death, and this information was submitted to an inquest which confirmed that it was a suicide.

A group found the skeletal remains along with a rope hanging from a nearby tree, and a satchel containing documents including a passport.