Ottawa police have identified a body that was pulled from the Rideau River last week as a Carleton University student who had been missing since March.
Michael Pineau, 18, went missing on March 15. He was last seen walking southbound on Chesterton Drive, near Meadowlands Drive, in Nepean.
Pineau's family set out on an intense search for him, putting up posters in his west-Ottawa neighbourhood and asking for the public's help.
Pineau's parents have now asked for privacy. In a statement to the media on Thursday, they said they are overwhelmed by their loss.
"Our family is devastated. We have lost an amazing, talented, extremely generous and intelligent son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin. Mike was truly the salt of the Earth."
A memorial service for Pineau will be held in Mattawa, about 300 kilometres west of Ottawa, in June.
