Police in Western Australia hold a grim belief that the body of missing snorkeler Walter Ren Gu has been discovered, ending a six-day search that gripped the local community.
Remains Located on Remote Beach
The discovery was made on the morning of Tuesday, 6 January 2026, at a remote stretch of coastline north of Ledge Point. Human remains were found at Fence Reed Beach at approximately 7.20am, according to official police statements.
While a formal identification process is still pending, authorities have indicated they strongly believe the body is that of the 32-year-old man. Walter Ren Gu was reported missing after he failed to return from a snorkelling trip on New Year's Day.
New Year's Day Outing Ends in Tragedy
The incident unfolded when Mr Gu, from Perth, joined a group of friends for a holiday snorkelling excursion. The group entered the water near Ledge Point at around 10am on 1 January. During the activity, Mr Gu became separated from his companions and vanished from sight.
His friends conducted their own frantic search along the crowded beach before officially alerting police at about 3pm that afternoon. This triggered a major multi-agency response involving police, marine rescue teams, and dedicated local volunteers who scoured the land and sea for any sign of the missing man.
Community Hopes Fade as Search Concludes
For days, Mr Gu's family and friends clung to the hope he would be found alive, as the extensive search effort continued. However, the operation was eventually scaled back as the likelihood of a successful rescue diminished.
The discovery at Fence Reed Beach brings a heartbreaking conclusion to the search. Police are now supporting the man's family and preparing a report for the coroner. The incident serves as a sombre reminder of the potential dangers associated with water activities, even for experienced individuals enjoying Australia's beautiful coastline.
